Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s4.2

c8.s4.2

There are three significant terms in Sanskrit literature—*sabhā*, *pariṣad*, and *samiti*, the correct interpretation of which has not yet been arrived at. Different meanings are suggested but still no satisfactory solution is reached. These are techinical terms of great administrative importance. स + भा = to shine, भयासह वर्तते इति—that which shines or is illustrious. This may be the hall in which meetings were held or the assembly itself composed of illustrious persons. This term repeatedly occurs in the South Indian inscriptions and is invariably the governing body of the village, its jurisdiction however extending over that village only. Thus it is an important institution of the South Indian local administration.