Local Government in Ancient India c13.63

c13.63

(1) The age limit of membership is between thirty and sixty. Probably the age limit was raised in the later inscription to secure a higher level of efficiency and sense of responsibility in the committees. It may be remembered that these elaborate regulations for rural administration were, according to the inscriptions, laid down in order that 'wicked men might perish, while good men might prosper.' This object could be realized only by imposing strict limitations upon the eligibility of membership of the committees. Youth and wickedness might easily go together. The age limit was also an antidote to youthful recklessness and extremism affecting administrative work.