History Chapter 02: Kings and Kingdoms

Many new dynasties emerged after the seventh century. By the seventh century there were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the subcontinent. Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or samantas.

Many of these new kings adopted high-sounding titles such as maharaja-adhiraja (great king, overlord of kings), tribhuvana-chakravartin (lord of the three worlds) and so on. In each of these states, resources were obtained from the producers - that is, peasants, cattle-keepers, artisans - who were often persuaded or compelled to surrender part of what they produced.

Prashastis contain details that may not be literally true. But they tell us how rulers wanted to depict themselves - as valiant, victorious warriors, for example. These were composed by learned Brahmanas, who occasionally helped in the administration.