Public Administration in Ancient India c8.7

c8.7

At the time of the rise of Buddhism, there were a number of independent tribes, living either under the republican or the oligarchic system of government.³ In the Republics, the affairs of State were discussed and decided in the tribal assemblies, and the executive power was in the hands of the leaders (mukhyas), who also acted as commanders in war. In regard to the system of government prevailing among the Sākiyas, Prof. Rhys Davids, one of the greatest Buddhist scholars of modern times, says: "The administrative and judicial business of the clan was carried out in public assembly, at which young and old were alike present in their common Mote Hall (Sanghāgāra) at Kapilavastu.⁴ A single chief—how and for what period chosen we do not know—was elected an office-holder, presiding over the sessions, and if no sessions were sitting, over the State. He bore the title of Rājā, which must have meant something like the Roman Consul, or the Greek Archon.”¹ In an Oligarchy, the conduct of the administration was in the hands of the members of the ruling family.² The most striking instance of an Oligarchy was that of the Lichchhavis, whose chiefs were all called ‘Rājās.’³ The free Lichchhavi clans were very powerful, and they played an important part in the social and political life of India in the sixth century B.C., and for many centuries afterwards.⁴