Local Government in Ancient India c13.166

c13.166

Nārada (X. 4-7) has a general statement which covers the above and other conceivable cases of royal interference in the administration of the local bodies. According to him the ground for that interference arises when those bodies form combinations prejudicial to the interests of the community, or arm themselves without sufficient cause, or quarrel with one another, or take steps which imply hostility to the king, or cause waste of public money, or commit actions morally reprehensible, or contrary to the dictates of religion as laid down in the Vedas or, lastly, when actuated by hatred, the members combine against and boycott one of them.¹