State and Government in Ancient India c22.s1.6

c22.s1.6

The Ṛigvedic king had the simple title *rājā*; more ambitious titles like *adhirāṭ* and *samrāṭ* were unknown to the age. The king lived in a residence, probably built in mud and not very imposing. He wore glittering dress and golden ornaments, and had a respectable retinue. He is usually described as *gopā janasya* or the protector of the people. His other functions can be merely conjectured. Adjudication is nowhere referred to as his function; it is not unlikely that the *sabhā* and the *samiti* were more concerned with the settlement of disputes than the king. The principle of self-help had an extensive scope at this time both in civil and criminal cases. Even for murder there was the system of the wergeld or blood money.