Local Government in Ancient India c13.128.4

c13.128.4

4) mentions among the expenses to be incurred by a guild for carrying on its business those connected with the care of its treasury. Sometimes it would be difficult to guard the treasures against the invasions of raiders (Kātyāyana already cited) or of the unscrupulous king (Bṛhaspati, XIV. 8). But the heroism that would successfully repel such invasions is to be specially rewarded (ibid. 10). This shows that these corporations, besides governing themselves, had also to find the means of protecting themselves and ensuring their own safety. Some of them developed their military strength so far as to find it profitable to pursue offensive purposes or engage in plundering expeditions. They are mentioned as successfully battling even against kings (ibid. 31. 32, and other references already cited which thus confirm the evidence of the *Kauṭilīya* and the *Mahābhārata* regarding the *śreṇī-bala*, or the *āyudhajīvi-saṅghas* or the *śastropajīvi-śreṇīs*). It may be noted too that violence in the village or enmity against its interests was visited with the extreme penalty of banishment (Kātyāyana quoting Bhṛgu, and Bṛhaspati, as cited in Colebrooke's *Digest of Hindu Law*, vol. II, p. 59).