In this section, we navigate the complex perceptions of kings in early Indian history, particularly during the period covered by the Jatakas and the Panchatantra. While inscriptions often glorify kings, they do not encompass the voices of ordinary subjects. Through oral tales and fables, historians have gleaned insights into public sentiments regarding both benevolent and oppressive rulers. The narrative of a king's disguise in the Gandatindu Jataka illustrates a ruler's unawareness of the hardships faced by his subjects, who suffer under excessive taxation and fear of robbers. This strained relationship led many to abandon their villages in search of relief in the wilderness. Thus, while inscriptions serve to immortalize rulers' achievements, they fail to convey the grievances of the common people, thereby shaping a more nuanced understanding of kingship in history.