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    Sources That Show That Ancient Indian Po

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    Manan
    Ancient Indian political thought was largely religion-oriented, as evidenced by several key sources. The Vedas, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra provide insight into concepts of kingship, administration, and statecraft intertwined with religious principles. Additionally, works of ancient thinkers and inscriptions shed light on contemporary political systems, which were founded on religious duties of rulers and citizens. As a result, scholars widely agree that ancient Indian political ideology was grounded in and shaped by religious texts and traditions.

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    Sources That Show That Ancient Indian Po

    Uploaded by

    Manan
    34 views2 pages
    Ancient Indian political thought was largely religion-oriented, as evidenced by several key sources. The Vedas, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra provide insight into concepts of kingship, administration, and statecraft intertwined with religious principles. Additionally, works of ancient thinkers and inscriptions shed light on contemporary political systems, which were founded on religious duties of rulers and citizens. As a result, scholars widely agree that ancient Indian political ideology was grounded in and shaped by religious texts and traditions.

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    Ancient Indian political thought was largely religion-oriented, as evidenced by several key sources. The Vedas, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra provide insight into concepts of kingship, administration, and statecraft intertwined with religious principles. Additionally, works of ancient thinkers and inscriptions shed light on contemporary political systems, which were founded on religious duties of rulers and citizens. As a result, scholars widely agree that ancient Indian political ideology was grounded in and shaped by religious texts and traditions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    34 views2 pages

    Sources That Show That Ancient Indian Po

    Uploaded by

    Manan
    Ancient Indian political thought was largely religion-oriented, as evidenced by several key sources. The Vedas, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra provide insight into concepts of kingship, administration, and statecraft intertwined with religious principles. Additionally, works of ancient thinkers and inscriptions shed light on contemporary political systems, which were founded on religious duties of rulers and citizens. As a result, scholars widely agree that ancient Indian political ideology was grounded in and shaped by religious texts and traditions.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Sources that show that Ancient

    Indian Political thought was


    religion oriented:
    It is, in fact, very difficult to obtain a particular book or a piece of literature that describes
    the various sources of the ancient Indian political thought, which are scattered all over
    India. However, some dedicated scholars have made efforts to gather all the scattered
    information and arrange them in a comprehensive manner for better understanding of
    the subject.

    Another difficulty in proper comprehension of the subject is the usage of certain terms
    and concepts. Despite these difficulties, it is important to acknowledge that some
    scholarly work was carried out in the field of ancient Indian political thought. Some of the
    widely available sources of classical Indian political thought are ancient monuments,
    religious works, epics and political system that were practiced during those times.

    The following is a brief description of some of the important sources of


    political thought:
    1. The Vedas:
    The Vedas are regarded as the authentic works of Gods at the time of the creation of the
    world and so are considered the original source of information. Though Vedas do not
    describe the political system that existed, information can be drawn from the concepts
    like King, Kingship, Saints or Rishis, etc., and their duties towards the subjects. It is
    interesting to note that institutions like sabha and samithi that are prevalent even in the
    modern days have their roots in the Vedic period.

    2. The Mahabharata:
    This Indian epic is considered a classic work on the art of politics. Certain episodes like
    Shanti Parva provide outstanding information related to political philosophy and
    administrative system and the political system of the time. The entire art of statecraft,
    diplomacy, war ethics and strategies, state relations and the like can be very well under-
    stood by making a reference to the Mahabharata.
    3. The Arthashastra:
    This work authored by Kautilya is again a masterpiece on polity. According to Prof
    Altekar, it is mainly concerned with the practical problems of governance and describes
    its machinery and functions both in times of war and peace. This work of Kautilya also
    highlights issues like taxation, diplomacy, war strategies and revolution. It is also a
    handbook of economics as well as administration for the kings.

    4. Works of Thinkers:
    Some of the great works that act as major sources of the political thought of ancient India
    are the Smrithis, Kamandakeya Neethisaara, Sukraneetisara and the like. Smrithis
    advocated that a king was the servant of the subjects and that it was not wrong to kill a
    tyrant. A king was expected to be virtuous, gracious and helpful. Similarly, Kamandakeya
    Neethisaara was also a source of ancient Indian political thought. It was, in fact, a
    summary of Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
    The work highlights on king and his family and the monarchical form of government.
    Sukraneetisara was supposed to have been written sometime between 1200 and 1600 BC.
    Though that is not available now, the work enlightens about the position held by high
    officials of the state and their functions, administrative system, monarchy and the political
    life of the people at large.

    5. Inscriptions:
    Stone and copper inscriptions throw light on the contemporary political life of the people
    and the administrative system of those days.

    6. Accounts of Foreign Travellers:


    The writings of foreign travellers to India like Megesthanes, Fahien, Huang Tsang and others
    provide great information about the ancient Indian society, administration, trade and
    industry and the like.

    7. Other Sources:
    Apart from the above sources on the ancient Indian political thought, the
    following books give an extensive knowledge:
    1. Brihapati Sutra
    2. Neeti Vakya Niritha of Somadeva
    3. Rajaneethi Ratnakara
    Since, Most of the sources mention above are religion based therefore, one
    can say that Ancient Indian Political thought was RELIGION ORIENTED.

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