Author: Ram Sharan Sharma
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 462
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120808983
Description
A most original and meticulous piece of research, on the political theories of ancient Indians and some of the main political institutions.
This work discusses different views on the origin and the nature of the state in ancient India. It also deals with stages and processes of state formation and examines the relevance of caste and kin-based collectivities to the construction of polity. The Vedic assemblies are studied in some detail, and developments in political organizations are presented in relation to their changing social and economic background. The book also shows how religion and rituals were brought in the service of the ruling class.
EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS:
Competently surveys many interesting aspects of the political thought and practice of ancient India on fresh and sometimes strikingly original lines. The author has a thorough grasp of the relevant sources and uses them with telling effect. - K A Nilakanta Sastri in Journal of Indian History
This work is well researched and documented and is especially useful in terms of the historical development of ancient Indian politics. Dr. Sharma's book has a better balance between theory and practice than most books on the subject. There can be no question, however, that this is one of the major publications in the field which no serious student of ancient Indian politics can ignore. - J W Spellman, University of Windsor
The revised edition is clear in exposition, up-to-date in method, and displays remarkable power in handling masses of material. It is by far the best summary of the present state of our knowledge of ancient Indian thought and institutions which is now available. This is a first rate book, which is as interesting as it is scholarly. - Times Literary Supplement
Contents
Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Abbreviations
Roman equivalents of Nagari letters
Introduction
CHAPTER I
Historiography of Ancient Indian Polity up to 1930
CHAPTER II
Sources and Method
CHAPTER III
The Saptanga Theory of the State
CHAPTER IV
Theories of Property
CHAPTER V
The Contract Theory of the Origin of the State : An Historical Survey
CHAPTER VI
Theory of "Oriental Despotism" : A Socio-Economic Critique
CHAPTER VII
Vidatha : The Earliest Folk-Assembly of the Indo-Aryans
CHAPTER VIII
Sabha and Samiti
CHAPTER IX
The Vedic Gana and the Origin of the Post-Vedic Republics
CHAPTER X
The Early parisad
CHAPTER XI
Ratnahavimsi Ceremony
CHAPTER XII
Tribal and Primitive Aspects of the Later Vedic Polity
CHAPTER XIII
Kin-conflicts and Rise of Hierarchy in Later Vedic Times
CHAPTER XIV
From Gopati to Bhupati : Changing Position of the King
CHAPTER XV
Taxation and State Formation in Northern India in Pre-Maurya Times
CHAPTER XVI
Varna in Relation to Law and Politics (C.B.C. 600-A.D.500)
CHAPTER XVII
Religion and Politics in the Arthasastra of Kautilya
CHAPTER XVIII
The Satavahana Polity
CHAPTER XIX
The Kusana Polity
CHAPTER XX
Kusana Elements in the Gupta Polity
CHAPTER XXI
The Gupta Polity
CHAPTER XXII
Stages in Ancient Indian Polity : Vedic and Post-Vedic
CHAPTER XXIII
Stages in Ancient Indian Polity : Maurya and Later
CHAPTER XXIV
Recapitulation