Nice article. One emendation. The Vedic system for which you label emphasis on dharma (duty) and eternal cosmic law was actually based on a system of checks and balances between the king and the minister. See the marvelous "The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society by J.C. Heesterman 1985" which goes deep into the question.
I really enjoyed this, thanks, Pallavi.
Nice article. One emendation. The Vedic system for which you label emphasis on dharma (duty) and eternal cosmic law was actually based on a system of checks and balances between the king and the minister. See the marvelous "The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society by J.C. Heesterman 1985" which goes deep into the question.
Thanks!