Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.1

c12.s3.1

The *Kula*.—That *kula* is a technical term of political significance is clearly indicated by Mr. Jayaswal in his *Hindu Polity*. *Kula samgha* in Hindu literature means ‘a constitution where *kula* or family rules’, that is, an aristocratic or oligarchic state.² Jayaswal again interprets the *rājakulas* of the *Arthaśāstra* and the *Mahābhārata* as aristocratic constitutions. He would even include the hereditary kings of *patāla* under this description. Though it must be admitted that there was a political association inferior in power to the *gaṇa* form of corporate bodies, still Jayaswal’s interpretation in bringing the *patāla* kings and *rājakulas* of the *Mahābhārata* and the *Arthaśāstra* under this category, appears to be far-fetched. Mitramiśra draws a clear line of distinction between a kula form of association and a gaṇa form.¹ Sukrāchārya distinguishes three kinds of organizations, kula, śreṇi and gaṇa.²