Local Government in Ancient India c10.14

c10.14

It may be noted in this connexion that the authority of customs or local laws is recognized as early as the time of the *Ṛg-veda* which enjoins adherence to the usages of the forefathers (*Ṛv.* VIII. 30, 3). Thus the recognition of popular customs as a source of substantive law by the Smṛtis is based on the authority of Śruti. Hence Bṛhaspati (quoted in the *Vyavahāramayūkha*) expressly defines Vyavahāra or civil law as being ‘the decision which is given according to the customs of the country (Deśasthiti) reasoning and the council of the Naigamas (the lay public)’. Bṛhaspati calls this mode of decision *caritra* (usage). In fact an *ācāra* accepted by a community becomes its laws or Dharma.