Local Government in Ancient India c13.128.1

c13.128.1

The South Indian evidence with its undoubted superiority to the northern evidence in point of copiousness and variety does not, indeed, seem to furnish any definite information on this point. There are, however, numerous inscriptions (noticed later) which tell of the ‘village Hampdens’ who, with ‘dauntless breast’ braved the attacks of enemies against the person and property of the villagers and sometimes died in their defence. The heroism of these patriots is duly commemorated in the laudatory inscriptions put up by a grateful public who very often reward it also by generous grants of land. It would appear that cattle raids were the most frequent form taken by these aggressions. The defect of the southern evidence is, however, in some degree supplied by the northern. Assemblies possessed of military force and functions are referred to in the *Kauṭilīya*, in the *Mahābhārata*, and even in some of the later law books. We may also recall the yet earlier evidence of Pāṇini who mentions *āyudhajīvi-saṅghas* (including even Brāhmans) or the special associations called the *vrātas* which follow violent pursuits. Kauṭilya refers in several places to *śreṇīs* or guilds known for their military strength. He singles out (XI. i.) those of the Kāmboja, Surāṣṭra and Kṣatriya (?) peoples as living by their economic and military pursuits. On account of their military power, these *śreṇīs* were of very great importance to the state.