In Part I, the author examined the general principles regarding civil and economic liberties and mainly the forgotten tradition of access to land for all citizens. This was in accord with man's spiritual development and attainment of the supreme aim, i.e., moksha or `liberation'. Thus, the author examined at length the sources on which the study is based and what is said about the system of land-tenure in the early Vedic and in post-Vedic times. This part now looks at the function of government, aspects of labor, taxation, including Land-Value-Taxation, and the conclusion brings together the ancient Indian tradition with some modern Western concepts.

"The people (or tribes) elect you to rulership—the five Godly regions (or glorious assemblies). Rest thee on the top, the hump (i.e., throne) of the State; thence to us, as mighty-king, distribute wealth".

This hymn describes, as do many others, the coronation of the king who is elected by the people—or re-elected in some cases.The ceremony of coronation is highly symbolic. As the king is led to sit upon the throne, he is told: "This is thy Sovranty (or State)... . To thee (it is given) for agriculture, for safekeeping , for wealth, for development". And the narrator adds "for welfare (of the people)". The King has already pledged to all the tribes (their representatives), all the classes, all officials : "between the night I was born and the one I shall die, whatever goodI have done, this world and heaven, my life and progeny, may I lose all, if I should injure you".

The election and installation of a king (for life, normally) was a covenant or contract between the person elected and the people. But the divinities, also participate in the ceremony bestowing their powers upon the monarch. Note that here too we have a settled community.

The Origin of Kingship

The origin of kingship is very ancient. The Aitareya (I, 14) gives the oldest explanation by means of a tale. It tells how Gods and demons were at war and how the Gods were losing. So they all met together and decided that they need a (king) to lead them. They appointed Soma as the king and soon the tide turned in their favor. This is the earliest explanation of the kingly function—an organizer and leader in war selected by his peers, functionaries of State and common people (even metal and wood-workers).The story is repeated in (I, 5) (which is later?) with a significant difference. Here, the discomfited Gods made a sacrifice to High God (lord-of-creatures) and he sent his son Indra to become the Gods' king. With this alteration, the king is still a leader in war but now has divine sanction (as in the Judaic, and later, in the Christian traditions—the Messiah was an amalgam of a spiritual and warrior figure who would liberate the nation from foreign and sinful occupation).

History and Culture Journal, Economic Principles, Ancient India, Economic Liberties, Indian Traditions, Kautilyas Arthashastra, Christian Traditions, Bhagawat Gita, Economic Organisms, Mahabharata, Economic Formulations, Economic Reformers, Philosophical Systems.