Origin of the King:


According to Prof. Altekar the institution of the joint family gradually led to the evolution of kingship. The patriarch of the family was revered and obeyed and this reverence and obedience was similarly shown to the head of the village or tribe who gradually acquired the status of a chief or king. The powers of the king gradually increased as the states become larger.
Functions and duties of the King
To offer protection to the subjects against cattle lifters as social position of a man in Rig-Veda was judged by the number of cows he possessed.
To fight battles in order to repulse external attacks.
Protection of private property. So great was this responsibility that the king was to restore to the subject the stolen wealth at any cost.
Preservation of family and prevention of adultery.
As time passed the concept of welfare state developed and development of agriculture, trade and commerce, promotion of industries, etc. were other responsibilities which the king carried on his shoulders. His other functions included removal of poverty and misery of his subjects and to support the helpless, aged, blind, cripple, orphans and widows.
Cattle-lifting was a common practice with the kings of ancient India, as with the chiefs of ancient Greece. The king of the Trigartas and the king of the Kurus combined and fell on the king of the Matsyas in order to drive off the numerous herd of fine cattle for which his kingdom was famed. The Trigartas entered the Matsya kingdom from the south-east, and while Virata went out with his troops to meet the foe, Duryodhan with his Kuru forces fell on the kingdom from the north.

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