This is a theory existing among scholars those
who study human history. I do not pledge accuracy. This may not be the final
truth. Some others may have another theory. Still this story narrates the most probable
theory on the evolution of Kingship.
In the Old Testament part of the Bible there
is a Babylonian King called Nimrod. The name ‘Nimrod’ has been proverbial from
the earliest times as a mighty hunter. He was the first who claimed to be a
"mighty one in the earth." Babel was the beginning of his kingdom,
which he gradually enlarged. Nimrod is supposed to have begun the tower of
Babel.
It is fine to believe that Nimrod himself was
a hunter. He might have been a mighty man with extraordinary physical strength.
Physical strength was the most valuable asset in the ancient times, as
intellect and talent are today.
Man in his early ages lived a nomadic life.
The life style of man evolved through various stages since then. The nomadic
life was uncertain and uncomfortable. It was a restless life. So man decided to
stay in one place for longer time. He chose fertile lands and moderate climate
and permitted other people to live aside. He tolerated his co inhabitants for
he realized the strength of unity of men.
The enemy of men was not other men, for all
men were struggling to survive. The enemies of men were wild animals. So in the
wisdom of the ancients they built their huts closely together at one place and maintained
their arable farm at a length. They stayed together and worked together.
They kept watch in the night to warn them of
the attack of wild animals. At every siren from the night watch, all men in the
village woke and attacked the enemy chasing them out of their village. The
common enemy bound them together in all efforts. All men had to come together
against the common enemy. All men in the village were considered as warriors.
It was the beginning of today’s compulsory military service.
As this situation continued, the more mighty
men stood in the forefront became a special warrior group and later they we
lead by the still more mighty man. This man was the most ferocious warrior
among all men in the group. He was unequalled in strength, courage and war
tactics among all men in the village. So he became the leader all of warriors,
all men in the village and hence the leader of the village itself.
Gradually and naturally he demanded and
received respect and obedience. He was granted with special privileges by the
villagers. As long as his might remained the best he was unchallenged. Might was
the greatest asset of the time.
The privileges grew. His authority grew. His
commitments grew.
A wise hunter leader of the village, tired of
chasing animals every night, formulated a better war tactic - offence is better
than defense.
Attacking and chasing away wild animals when
they come to attack the village is only defense. Offence is going into the
forest and attacking wild animals in expectation of an attack in the night. It
rendered more and lasting peace to the village and rest to the leader. So he went
into the nearby forest to a considerable length and attacked and chased away wild
animals. Continuous offensive attack by the leader kept the wild animals away
from the village for considerable period of days. A repeated and occasional
attack into the forest kept wild animals away from the people.
Thus he established a new theory of offense
above the old method of defense.
All these developments in the formation of
leadership kept the leader busy and engaged every day that he could no longer
go for work in the farm.
Hence the duty to feed, clothe and shelter the
leader came down to the people. The people were happy because they could shift
the responsibility of protection of their family and village to the leader and
live peacefully. They were only happy to set apart a small portion of their
income for the well being of the leader.
Thus Kingship evolved from hunter to King.
Professor
Jacob Abraham
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