Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c14.s2.3

c14.s2.3

From the context in which these passages occur, it is apparent that these serious punishments are to be enforced by the king. In theory, then, the state is closely associated with corporations, guiding them, protecting them, restraining them. In practice, the amount of state control must have varied with distance from state or provincial capitals, the strength of the central government, the prestige of guilds and the character of their work. Unfortunately, the inscriptions which furnish copious descriptions of the activities of guilds throw little light on their administrative practice. But, in theory at any rate, the guilds are not so autonomous as one or two modern writers incline to think.