Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 231

202 POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA king's whims. Those specifically mentioned by tradition were Mrigadhara, Ugga, Siri-Vaddha, Kāla and Junha. The generals included the Crown Prince and some. Malla chiefs. Police duties on roads were performed by soldiers, Portions of the royal domain were granted to Brāhmaṇas like Pokkharasādi, with power over them as if they were kings. The weakness of the system soon became apparent, and led to the downfall of the king. Ministers, who were lavish in their charity, were preferred to those who approved of a more economical policy, and one of the favourites is said to have actually been allowed to rule over the kingdom for seven days. The large powers granted to Brāhmana donees must have promoted centrifugal tendencies, while the infidelity of some of the generals including the Crown Prince, and the cruel treatment by the latter, when he became king, of vassal clansmen contributed to the eventual downfall of the monarchy. .
In the Vatsa kingdom which, probably at this time, extended along the southern frontier of Kosala, king Satānika Parantapa was succeeded by his son Udayana who rivals Sri Ramachandra, Nala and the Pandavas in being the hero . of many romantic, legends.2. The commentary on the Dhammapada gives the story of the way in which Vāsuladattā or Vāsavadattā; the daughter of Pradyota, king of Avanti, became his queen. It also mentions two other consorts of the
Hoerale, Uvāsaga-dasão. II, Appendix, p. 56. DPPN, I, 332, 572, 960 ; 11. 1146.
2 For a detailed account of the legends, see "Essay on Gunādhya and the Brihatkathā," by Prof. Félix Lacote, translated by Rev. A. M. Tabard. See also Annals of the Bhandarkar Institute, 1920-21 ; Gane, "Pradyota; Udayana, and Śrenika-A Jaina Legend" ; J. Sen, "The Riddle of the Pradyota Dynasty" (I. H.Q., 1930, pp. 678-700); Nariman, Jackson and Ogden, Priyadaršikā, Ixii ff. ; Aiyangar Com. Vol., 352 ff ; Malalasekera, DPPN, 1. 379-80 ; 11. 316, 859,