[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c11.5 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.5 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.5 - **Language:** English ### [c11.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.5) Corresponding to this magnificent exterior, there was not, as in the Indian courts of to-day, an inner want of power; the rājan of that time is not only "the magnificent, shining in royal pomp," he is, as his name signifies, in the first place,¹ "the ruling one." The Brahmanical authorities, no doubt, especially, the lawbooks, see in the king in several ways only "an appendage of the priests"; according to these the king is only there to supply the Brâhmaṇas with what they require.¹ It is different with the Jâtakas. Of a general control of the priestly caste over the administration, no traces are, in my opinion, to be found here or in other Pali literature. Where we meet with instances of a predominant influence on the part of the Brâhmaṇas, the reason is to be sought in the individual circumstances of the king and his spiritual advisers, especially, the royal house-priest, the purohita. - [Previous: c11.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.4) - [Next: c11.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.6) - [Up: c11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.5) · Pramāṇa