[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.s3.70 # Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.70 Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.70 - **Language:** English ### [c12.s3.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.70) \*Gaṇa\* seems at the best to refer to a tribe and its organization in early times, if judged in the light of the principle of kinship underlying the bond of the tribe. It generally represents the organized group of a tribe, or the sub-division of a tribe spread out over an area larger than that of a village. This tribal area enjoyed a republican form of constitution and administration. Bhīṣma speaks of these corporations with military powers both for defensive and offensive purposes.² Thus the \*gaṇa\* legitimately finds a place under kinship associations.¹ The institution of \*kula\* may perhaps refer to a sub-division of a tribe occupying a small region but still enjoying independence. This is in keeping with what \*Viramitrodaya\* says that a \*kula\* or a \*kula\* court was the deciding judicial authority in self-governing organizations of the \*gaṇa\* type.² The ruling of Kātyāyana that the \*kula\* was also the body of the unit is attested by Rhys Davids who speaks of \*aṣṭakulaka\* which Jayaswal interprets as ‘a judicial council of eight members’ as against the original interpretation, ‘representative of eight clans.’³ To us both seem to be right, for it must have been a judicial council of eight members each representing one \*kula\*. For, according to Kātyāyana himself elsewhere, a \*gaṇa\* is a group of several \*kulas\* and it is but natural to suppose that in deciding the case of a \*gaṇa\* the representatives of the several \*kulas\* composing that \*gaṇa\* must have been present. Further it is interesting to note that the principle of equality by birth and equality by family was recognized by the \*gaṇa\* group.⁴ - [Previous: c12.s3.69](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.69) - [Next: c12.s3.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.71) - [Up: c12.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c12.s3.70) · Pramāṇa