History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.352.1

v4.c62.352.1

There was a great deal of decentralization or devolution of authority from the central government to the village committees and authorities. They were also entrusted with civil and criminal justice, as we shall see later on. For further details on the organization of a village as a political unit, Dr. R. C. Majmudar's 'Corporate life in Ancient India' chap. II. pp. 135 ff. and Fick (p. 161) may be consulted. Just as there was some organization in villages in general, so also guilds (śreṇīs) and groups (gaṇas) had their own regulations and conventions. In XI. 1 Kauṭilya refers to kṣatriya guilds in the countries of Kāmbhoja and Surāṣṭra that maintained themselves on husbandry and followed the profession of arms (vide above p. 88 n. 120). In III. 14 he refers to guilds of workmen or labourers (saṅghabhṛtāḥ). Manu (I. 118) declares that his work deals not only with the enduring dharmas of countries, castes and families, but also with the dharmas of heretical sects (pāṣaṇḍa) and of groups (gaṇa). Manu (VIII. 41) requires the righteous king to consider carefully the dharmas of castes, countries, guilds and families (to find out whether they are opposed to the Vedas) and uphold those dharmas (that are not opposed) as binding (on those respective persons). Yāj. II.