Ancient Indian political thought: A critical appraisal
Author(s): Dr. Suresh Chandra Patel
Abstract: Indian Political thinking, one of the most developed political thoughts, represents the East in the history of political thought. A study of Indian Political thought is very much necessary to understand Indian Political problems. The Western Political thought, as represented by the researchers from the West and the Indian researchers looking through the spectacles of the Western Political thought, has more than often missed the real spirit of Political concepts of India. The Western concepts are not relevant in the analysis of the problems of Indian Political system. We cannot, for example, understand Indian Political Philosophy by comparing Machiavelli to Chanakya. Indian Political thinkers, ancient, modern and contemporary, have developed some indigenous tools and concepts which are very much necessary to understand Indian society and social institutions.
The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagwad Gita etc. represents significantly the ancient Indian Political thinking. The Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Manusmriti along with other smritis dealt with entire Panorama of human life vertically and horizontally. The result of the vertical perspective led to the concept of the State. The Horizontal perspective led to the concept of Dharma. Both the concepts of State and Dharma constitute the backbone of the Indian Political thought. This paper will try to focus on political philosophy of Bhagwat Gita, political philosophy of Mahabharata, Political philosophy of Ramayana, Political thought in the Manusmriti, Political philosophy of Arthashastra and evolution from Puranas to Nitishastras.
Thus, this paper will look into the importance of ancient political thinking, its evolution. Moreover, how ancient political thinking and its understanding is a must for analyzing problems of Indian Society in particular and the World in general.
DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2020.v2.i1b.86Pages: 124-128 | Views: 1302 | Downloads: 54Download Full Article: Click HereHow to cite this article:
Dr. Suresh Chandra Patel.
Ancient Indian political thought: A critical appraisal. Int J Political Sci Governance 2020;2(1):124-128. DOI:
10.33545/26646021.2020.v2.i1b.86
