[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Administrative Institutions](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929) › c12.s3.1 # Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.1 Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.1 - **Language:** English ### [c12.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.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 - [Previous: c12.s2.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s2.25) - [Next: c12.s3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.2) - [Up: c12.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3) ## Cites (4) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Śukranīti (Śukrācārya)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.sukraniti-sukracarya) — Śukrācārya, Sanskrit - [Vīramitrodaya](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.hora.nibandha.other.viramitrodaya) — Rāmamiśra, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.1) · Pramāṇa