State, Sovereignty, and Society in Ancient India: A Comparative Study of Early Indic Political Thought and Modern Theories of Rights and Governance

Title: State, Sovereignty, and Society in Ancient India: A Comparative Study of Early Indic Political Thought and Modern Theories of Rights and Governance Description: This interdisciplinary research offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of the philosophical foundations of state, sovereignty, and governance in ancient India, drawing from primary Indic sources such as the Rigveda, Arthashastra, and Manusmriti, alongside foreign accounts like Megasthenes’ Indica. It foregrounds an Indigenous framework rooted in Dharma (moral order), Ṛta (cosmic harmony), and Kartavya (duty), contrasting profoundly with Western rights-based and contractual social-political theories. The study meticulously juxtaposes classical Indic political thought with seminal Western frameworks, including Harold Laski's liberal pluralism, Hobbes' social contract, Rawls' theory of justice, and Arendt’s civic humanism. It explores epistemological divergences and potential syntheses, situating Indic thought within global discourse through intercivilizational ethics involving Confucian Li, Japanese Bushidō, and African Ubuntu traditions. Incorporating post-colonial critiques and contemporary constitutional scholarship, the research reveals the hybrid nature of modern Indian governance—a fusion of Eurocentric institutional frameworks with deep indigenous ethical sensibilities, highlighting ongoing tensions between rights-based neutrality and duty-oriented collectivism. Normatively, it advocates reintegrating Kartavya Śikṣā (ethical civic education) and Prakṛti-Dharma (duty towards nature) into constitutional praxis, offering actionable insights for climate governance, AI ethics, and pluralistic policy making. This work significantly contributes to Comparative Political Theory and offers a robust theoretical foundation for sustainable, culturally grounded global governance in the twenty-first century. Keywords: Ancient Indian Political Thought, Dharma, Sovereignty, Governance, Comparative Political Theory, Rights and Duties, Rajadharma, Arthashastra, Rigveda, Postcolonial Critique, Constitutional Theory, Intercivilizational Ethics, Liberalism, Social Contract, Ethical Collectivism, Pluralism, Climate Governance, AI Ethics, Global Governance, Indian Constitution, Legal Philosophy, Duty-Centered Governance