A comparison of the politico-economic systems of ancient and medieval India (traditional vs feudal):
| Traditional (Ancient) | Feudal(Medieval) |
| | . |
| 1. Nationality of the rulers | Indian | Foreign(Turk, Mughal, British) |
| | . |
| 2. Objective of the system | Welfare of the people | Welfare of the rulers |
| | . |
| 3. Basis of the system | Consent | Force |
| | . |
| 4. Political nature | Freedom | Slavery |
| | . |
| 5. Economic objective | Creating wealth | Looting wealth |
| | . |
| 6. Religious agenda | Tolerance | Conversion |
| | . |
| 7. Legal basis | Dharma(rule of law) | Nil(law of the jungle: might is right) |