The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s2.8

v1.c19.s2.8

The administrative business of the clan, and also the more important judicial acts, were carried out in public assembly, at which young and old were alike present¹. The meetings were held in a mote-hall—a mere roof supported by pillars, without walls. It is called *santhāgāra*, a technical term never used of the council chamber of kings².