Local Government in Ancient India c13.122

c13.122

Along with the various territorial divisions, another very common and convenient sphere and school of local government was found in the village temple which was at once the centre of intellectual and spiritual life. The influence of the temple on the public life of the country in these olden days cannot be over-estimated. The temple and the Sabhā were like the two ends of the axis round which revolved all communal and even individual activity. The temple inspired and sustained private piety; private piety thus strengthened is stimulated into gifts; the constant stream of individual gifts calls for arrangements for their proper administration which thus give the people an opening for public service and a scope for self-rule.