Ruler is the mind of the empire while his subjects are the heart of the empire. Often what a ruler does, the subjects wouldn’t like and often where he sees a benefit, the subjects see discontent. These differences are of the same type which one’s heart has with one’s mind, but the synchronization of both is a far-fetched fantasy that needs some rock solid experiences to build up on. The Indian history always gave the people a fair choice to decide who would be their king. Sometimes these heredity sentiments will ignore the former, but the Andhradesa had its own set of rules. When I say Andhradesa, I mean Andhra and Telangana put together because it’s very difficult to talk about the history of one without the other. A King cannot be the one who is unfit to rule or protect. A King must have certain requirements in order to be a king. Interesting the Andhradesa, had its own set of political definitions on who they would want to see as their King.
The Andhradesa followed the notion of ‘navishnu prithvipatih’ from Kings of Satavahanas to the Kings of Vijayanagara. The Chalukyas considered their Kings next to gods and had understood them to have descended form of Mahavishnu. In some cases they were equaled with Arjuna in bravery and Yudhistira in justice. The officials and political writers of that time have left behind certain treatises for us to understand how the political system and kingship functioned. Andhradesa had seven constituents or the Saptanga viz, the King, the commander-in-chief, the purohit, chaplain, the minister, the door keeper, the crown prince and the minister of war and peace. The texts like Mahabharatanamu, Sakalanitisammatamu and Sri Siddhesvaracharitranamu elaborate the qualifications needed by all the officials. And King?
Well, the king should possess sharp intelligence, sharp memory, and foresight and should not be under the influence of any vices. The King must comprehend the essentials of war and peace and should have a thorough knowledge of Chaturvidya which are the four types of knowledge: anvikshi- thought, trayi-intellect, varta-discussion, and danda- punishment plus the apprehensions of when to apply them. Of course he should be well versed in Arthasastra, Manu, Itihasa, Purana etc. Each one of them gives him the ways to rule politically, ethically, historically and culturally. That way he can be a universal sovereign. The King shouldn’t just preach, he should set an example as our ancient politicians and statesmen believed, people learn better by examples than by preaching.
The King has to gain vigorous practical training in statecraft and give gifts and donations to the needy. The king must involve all the communities in forming the governing body and military to strengthen the kingdom. The king must not preach any religion, though he has the freedom to practice whatever religion he likes. He must look at all religions equally and patronize arts and culture from all the religions which are present in the kingdom. These are the rules and qualities that must be followed and be possessed by the King to be said fit to rule and succeed. Practically speaking all these guidelines does make a lot of sense. If put into modern use these may actually change the present politics to ideal politics. Andhradesa has over and over brought forward the implementation of most practical knowledge in history. And all the kingdoms that have flourished in the Andhradesa have used the same principles and ruled successfully.
History is just not a story, it is a fact that has been forgotten and needs to be put into use again. I’d leave you to think over it, until then Adios!
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