Local Government in Ancient India c10.26

c10.26

and in accordance with sacred law it is designated as a deed of agreement' (VIII. 9).¹ Again: 'A compact formed among villagers, companies of artisans and associations is called an agreement; such an agreement must be observed both in times of distress and for acts of piety' (XVII. 5).² The distress is defined (ibid. 6) as that due to fear of robbers and rogues [*cāṭa*, which means a 'cheat' according to Monier Williams quoting Yājñ. I. 335, but a 'soldier' in the phrase *cāṭabhaṭa* occuring in an inscription as explained by Fleet (*Gupta. Ins.* p. 98), and in the expression *cāra-bhaṭa* in *Harṣacarita*, VII]. Such occasions call not for individual but for corporate action according to agreement.