Public Administration in Ancient India c23.32

c23.32

Some of the South Indian and Ceylon inscriptions throw much light on the system of village government in those parts of the country. The Vevalakatiya Slab-inscription of Mahinda IV., King of Ceylon (1026-1042 A.D.), although comparatively recent, is particularly interesting in this respect. From this inscription we learn that within the village (of Dasa-gama) justice was administered by means of a Communal Court composed of headmen and responsible householders, and the village assembly was empowered to carry into effect the laws enacted by the King-in-Council and promulgated by his Ministers. It investigated all crimes committed within the village, exacted the prescribed fines from the law-breakers, and inflicted other kinds of punishment. But the most interesting points in the inscription are those which relate to the collective responsibility of the inhabitants of Dasa-gama for producing offenders within a limited time, and the fines imposed on the whole community in case of failure.¹ We give a few extracts from this inscription :