Nature and Scope of the States

This presentation is prepared for the Graduation students to get basic idea and general information’s regarding the topic. Overall content of presentations is not through and complete, also required further additions.

1. Nature and Scope of
the States
Dr. Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
Center for Advanced Studies
Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology,
Banaras Hindu University

2. Nature
and Scope
of the States

3. Introduction
•Whenalargenumberofhumanbeingslivetogether,thereisneedforsomerulesandregulations.
•Humannatureissuchthatmatsyanyāya,‘thebigfisheatsthesmallfish’,prevails,
•Itisinthenatureofthingsthatthestrongwillexploittheweak.
•Sinceearlydays,thereisarealizationinIndiathattherehastobea“society’governedbysomecommonlyagreedrulesandregulations”.
•However,sucha‘society’isonlylooselyregulateditisgovernedbycustomsandpractices,notbylaws.
•Therefore,somemorerigorousorganizationisneeded,asystemcalled‘state’inpoliticalthought,apoliticalsystemwithalegalsanctionandfoundation,asystemruledbylaw.

4. Cont…
•Toensureorder,ruleoflawandpeace,every
societyneedsaState.
•TheStateisbasedonsamerightsanddutiesfor
allandacommonsetoflaws.
•ItisthedutyoftheStateinreturntoprotectthe
dignity,lifeandpropertyofthecitizensanddefend
thecultureandintegrityofthesociety.
•ThestateinIndia,first,cameintobeing,when
settledliferelatedtoterritorywassubstitutedfora
wanderingornomadiclifeofthetribes.

5. Sources
1.Veda
2.Epics:Mahabharata
3.BuddhitText:DighaNikaya,
4.JainTexts
5.Arthshastra
6.Smritis

6. Kinds of State
•States,bycommonsenseandbyhistoricalexperience,are
basicallyofthreekinds:
1.Kingship:rulebyoneperson
2.Oligarchy:rulebyasmallgroupofpersonsand
3.Democracy:representativeruleofthepeople.
•Eachofthesehassub-types:
•Kingshipforexample,canbehereditaryorbyelection,
•Smallgroupofpersonsinanoligarchycanbe(a)
aristocrats,(b)philosophers/thewise,or(c)elected
representatives.
•Ganrajya:

7. Formation of States
•AStateisconstitutedbyitsseveral‘limbs’.
•AccordingtoKauṭilya,Statehassevenlimbs:theking,the
ministers,thecountry,theforts,thetreasury,thearmy,and
theallies.Thislistcanvaryaccordingtotheformofgovernment.
•Broadlytherearetwokindsofgovernance.
1.Republican
2.Monarchy.
•InIndia,thefollowingfourkindsofgovernmentsare
attestedsinceancienttimes:
•Self-governingGaṇas(‘directdemocracy’);
•Kingship

8. Development of the States
1.Rigveda:
Vishpatiand Janpati
(Tribe like Yadus, Purus, the Anus etc.)
2.The Rashtra or Territorial states gradually
evolved in Later Vaidik period.
( The emperors identify as a rulers not over the
tribes but over the whole earth bounded by the see.)

9. Monarchy
•Monarchy was a Popular form of the State
•Raja(a King)
•Maharaja(A great King)
•Samrat(an emperor)
•The area or territory may increases

10. Republic States
•AitareyaBrahman:peopleneartheHimalayas
likeUttarKurusandtheUttar-madrashada
Virat(Kingless)state.
•Virat:Kingless
•GreekHistoriansalsosuggesttheRepublican
StatesintheN-Warea.

11. City States
•According to Arrian Nyasa was a City State during
the invasion of Alexander.
•Coins of
1.Bhadrawati,
2.Tripuri,
3.Madhymika,
4.Ujjayini,
5.Varanasi,
6.Kaushambietc.
•Area of cities must be smaller

12. Composite or Confederates states
•TheKuru-Panchalawasdifferentstateswas
formedasCompositestate.
•TheKshrudrakasandMalavaswereindividual
statesduringPaninitimeswerementioned
togetherduringMahabharatas.
•LicchhvisformedconfederationwithMallasand
oncewithVidehas.

13. Activity of the State
•There is no limit set for the activity of the State
•State touches the whole of life of its citizens, as
1.Religion
2.Ethics
3.Family
4.Economics
5.Culture
6.Education

14. Duty of State: Protection
•State Protects
1.Religion
2.Morality
3.Customs and
4.Traditions
•State Protects
1.Defend its Territories
2.Protection of law
3.Protection from injustice
4.Protection from Natural Calamities
5.Protect against : famine, disease, fire etc.

15. According to Arthshashtra
•Stateshouldsee:wholefamily
•Stateshouldprovidesupportto:thepoor,
pregnantwife,theirnewborn,orphans,aged,the
infirm,helpless,afflictedetc.
•Stateprovidesafetyto:immaturegirls,relations
ofloversandprofessionofprostitutes
•Stateshouldfacilitate,regulateandcontrol:
Publicamusementsandentertainments,
includinggambling.
•Stateshoulddetect:thethievesandspies

16. According to Arthshashtra
•All professions and occupations to be
controlled by the State.
1.Physician
2.Goldsmith
3.Weaver
4.Washermen
5.Laborer

17. Nature of the State
•Securityagainstforeigninvasionsand
•Themaintenanceofinternalordersummedupthe
activitiesoftheState.
•ThefirststeptakenwhentheStateassumedthe
administrationofjustice.
•Andassocietybecamemorecomplexwiththe
progressofcivilisation
•Itembracedalmosttheentirelifeofthepeople.
UndertheEmperorAsoka
•theStatecloselyapproximatedtothehighesttype
ofaCulture-State,itsaimbeingtosecurethe
maximumwell-beingofthepeopleinevery
departmentoflife.

18. Dharma
•Dharma is principle facture stands above all
•Dharma in practical sense: Belief, Ritual and
Conduct
•Dharma stood above all the rulers
•Dharma was conductive to the highest good
•Dharma is binding for social relationship

19. Conclusion
•Kings were the Soul of the States
•Ministers and provincial governors helps the King
•Villages+ Panchayats+Town-Counsilsand trade
guilds were under the rule of central Government.
•The States in ancient India were Unitary in
character.