Monarchy of the Epic Age: Socio‑Economic Aspect
Summary
“Monarchy of the Epic Age: Socio‑Economic Aspect” by Tahasildar Singh investigates the role of kingship in ancient India’s epics and law books. Drawing on the *Mahābhārata*, the *Rāmāyaṇa*, the Dharmasūtras and Arthashāstra‑like treatises, the article argues that the king was viewed as the natural guardian and patron of the community. Philosophers postulated that monarchical functions enabled the flourishing of individual aims and social order. The king received hospitality from households as a guest rather than a superior and was exempt from certain ritual restrictions, reflecting his special status. The author discusses legal consequences of a king’s death, such as the suspension of interest on loans, and notes that Dharmasūtras unanimously vest legal authority in the king while recognising Brahmins as the ultimate interpreters of dharma. The paper examines how epics depict kings administering justice, punishing wrongdoers and upholding dharma. The dialogue between the mutilated brothers in the *Mahābhārata* illustrates that punishment cures both the criminal and the community, and that the king’s authority is justified by its restorative effect. The article concludes that monarchy in epic literature served as a socio‑economic institution that balanced legal, moral and ritual duties.
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Conclusion
By synthesising epic narratives and juridical texts, Tahasildar Singh shows that kingship in ancient India was conceived as both a moral obligation and an economic necessity. The king’s duty to enforce law ensured social equilibrium, while Brahmins provided interpretive guidance, highlighting the interplay between secular and sacred authority.