Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c45.54

c45.54

§ 333. The most pronounced feature of Hindu Polity was the dominating position of Law throughout history. It was so when the law was administered by the communal *Sabhā* and it remained so when the law was administered by the royal *Sabhā*. The Sabhā had not the same history as the 'Court.' It was not an outcome of the King's household but of the Vedic folk-assembly. History was against a possibility of the Sabhā becoming the foot-stool of the throne. When it became the king's right and duty to maintain the administration of justice, he exercised it in accordance with the condition laid down and accepted through the Coronation Oath. He had to administer scrupulously the law of the country. Then, there was the Brahmin agency which always balanced and counterpoised the estate of sword and the estate of wealth. When undue interference was feared, it was laid down that the king must abide by the opinion of the Prāḍvivāka.¹