POWER AND CRIMINALITY 85 endurance." The crimes of persons in power in the past might be construed merely as the outcoime of a self-defence mechanism in an era replete with intrigue and passion. In the name of statecraft, a questionable code of conduct based upon dual standards of morality for the ruled and the rulers thus emerged. In the Arthasastra Kautilya stresses the need for dupKcity for the protection of the kingdom and expansion of its power. The case of the murder of Rajyavardhana (606 AD) discussed in this collection is an instance in point. It is somewhat saddening» to note that this misuse of authority has gone on even in the past two centuries. In one case—relating to the murder of Peshwa Narayan Rao (August 1773)—the law took its course which plunged the country in to war and led to the destruction of an empire. These seventeen historical studies of crime have profound sociological implications. The stories have been narrated with the detachment and skill of a historian though with the main purpose of proving that in the absence of proper institutional arrangement power is likely to be abused in the interest of a person or a group of persons. The challenge therefore before mankind today is how to evolve a strategy for meaningful and ethical regimentation of power without losing sight of the need to ^rule9. TRIDIB K GHWRABARTI