Ancient Hindu Political Thoughts and its Parallels with Contemporary Human Rights Declarations

Abstract

War is an event entwined with the entire history of civilizations all over the world. It has also been the chief factor that led to the rise of kingdoms. Though words were identified as the chief cause for all destructions and sufferings. They also happen to be unavoidable several efforts have been made throughout history to justify wars under such verbosities as “Wars to establish righteousness”. “Wars to do away with authoritarianism” and. “Wars to establish peace”. But the truth remains that wars put not only those engaged in them. But also, the innocent public who had nothing to do with such wars. Following the various world wars schemes were undertaken to protect the public and the wounded soldiers from the gruesome effects of war in the world arena. Such were the schemes that emerged as human rights declarations. Some of such declarations include those of St. Petersburg. The HerthConference, Vienna diplomatic relations, and the GenevaConference. Righteousness, justice, and the march towards living creatures wielded considerable influence in the formation of such declarations. The awareness about wars and their destructive aftereffects had existed from very early times. Wars were brought under righteousmoves and rules were formulated to conduct wars righteously. They’re existed unity in opining that wars should be conducted subject to righteousness. The Vedas, Dharmasastras, Arthesastra, and Sukranitisaram are treated as works on Hindu political sources. In addition, the Shanthi Parva section of Mahabharata encompasses “how of royal justice” Ancient political sources have placed forward strong ideas on the rules to be observed onbattlefields, on the practices to be followed loywinning parties, caring for war prisoners, and preventing usage of cruel weapons. Their ideas are comparatively in agreement with the war rules imposedin contemporary war norms.

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