Public Administration in Ancient India c15.34

c15.34

The work of the regular courts was greatly lightened by arbitrators. All cases, except those concerning violent crimes, could be decided by arbitration by guilds of artisans, assemblies of co-habitants, meetings of religious sects, and by other bodies duly authorised by the King.¹ Nārada is a great believer in the system of arbitration, and he says: "(In disputes) among merchants, artisans, or the like persons, and in (disputes concerning) persons subsisting by agriculture or as dyers, it is impossible for outsiders to pass a sentence; and the passing of the sentence must, therefore, be entrusted to persons acquainted with such matters (in a cause of this sort)." This system had the great merit of giving substantial justice to the disputants and, at the same time, preventing ruinous litigation.