Peaceful Realm Prevailed In India

Chandra Gupta II ( AD 376 - 415 ) became the sovereign King of almost all of Northern India and even some parts of present day Andhra Pradesh were under his influence. Kalidasa, greatest of India's poets and dramatist is traditionally associated with King Vikramadithya ( most probably another name of Chandra Gupta II ). It is during his reign that India reached it's zenithal stage of prosperity and happiness. This can be accounted from words of a Chinese Travellor - Fa hsien. He was a Chinese monk who came to India to obtain authentic copies of Buddhist Scriptures. He was in India for almost 6 years, travelling the length and breadth of India. He did note the peacefulness of India, rarity of serious crimes and the smoothness of administration. He stated that one could travel all over India without molestation and no documents were needed for travelling. People had great respect to each other and most of them were vegetarians.


At this time, India was perhaps the happiest and most civilized region in the world. ( Roman empire was nearing its final stage, China was passing through a period of troubles between 2 great periods of the Hans and T'angs )

Naval Conquest of Indian Kings

Its remarkable to say that our Kings were very good at Naval Expeditions too. King Raja Raja Chola ( AD 985 - 1014 ) & King Rajendra Chola (  AD 1014 - 1042 ) were regarded as the best Naval Expeditors ever. And yes, our Kings didn't just want to conquer some countries & ruthlessly loot them ( Conquest & looting was the practice of the Kings of rest of the world ). Our Kings were actually defending their subjects from the piratical activities of the Indonesian Kings ( ? ) who interfered with the flourishing trade between South India & China. Parts of Burma, Malaya & Sumatra were conquered.   Imagine the resources we had almost a 1000 years back to travel all the way by sea with all those troops, that also for the benefit of their subjects. Truly GREAT KINGS !!!!!

Recently I came across another interesting fact about the Chola Kings. They were not only great in expeditions, but also in maintaining their kingdoms. They had a council where people were elected. This council had a say in main decisions made by the king ( Democracy ?? ). Please find the image which says of qualifications and disqualifications for a candidate.