Q2 of 9 Page 80

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

1. According to the shastras, only kshatriyas could be kings.

2. However several important ruling lineages probably had different origins, for example the Mauryas, who ruled over a large empire, were probably of “Low Origin”. Mauryas were considered Kshatriyas by many people.


3. The Shakas who came from central Asia were regarded as Mlechchhas, barbarians and outsiders.


4. The best known ruler of the Satvahana dynasty, Gotami –Putra Siri Satakani , claimed to be a unique Brahmana and destroyer of the pride of Kshatriyas . At the same time he also entered into a marriage alliance with the king of Rudra Daman (a Shaka ruler) in fact, the political power was effectively open to anyone who could muster support and resources, and rarely depended on birth as a Kshatriya.


More from this chapter

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1

Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.

 3

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

 4

In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha sukta?

 5

The following is an excerpt from the Mahabharata, in which Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, speaks to Sanjaya, a messenger:

Sanjaya, convey my respectful greetings to all the Brahmanas and the chief priest of the house of Dhritarashtra. I bow respectfully to teacher Drona … I hold the feet of our preceptor Kripa … (and) the chief of the Kurus, the great Bhishma. I bow respectfully to the old king (Dhritarashtra). I greet and ask after the health of his son Duryodhana and his younger brother ... Also greet all the young Kuru warriors who are our brothers, sons and grandsons … Greet above all him, who is to us like father and mother, the wise Vidura (born of a slave woman) ... I bow to the elderly ladies who are known as our mothers. To those who are our wives you say this, “I hope they are well-protected”… Our daughters-in-law born of good families and mothers of children greet on my behalf. Embrace for me those who are our daughters … The beautiful, fragrant, well-dressed courtesans of ours you should also greet. Greet the slave women and their children; greet the aged, the maimed (and) the helpless …


Try and identify the criteria used to make this list – in terms of age, gender, kinship ties. Are there any other criteria? For each category, explain why they are placed in a particular position in the list.