Local Government in Ancient India c4.7

c4.7

Unless we bear this triune structure in mind, we shall fail to understand the distinctive functions of these separate elements, and thus miss the significance in Indian polity of the State's jurisdiction in arbitrating between the individual and the intermediary group, or between group and group, as well as in upholding, by Daṇḍa, by veto or otherwise, their various Dharmas, Codes, and Customaries—a jurisdiction which was radically distinct from that of an absolute central State, in existing modern polity—happily passing away—the sole organ of the collective will and personality, the supreme source of fiats and laws, and the ultimate seat of power and responsibility.