The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.87

c10.87

In the Jâtakas there is no trace of any village Pañcâyata or any other organ of self-government. The only regular administrative officer was the Gâmabhojaka. The chief of the homogeneous Brâhmaṇa and other villages (III, 281; VI, 71; IV, 430; II, 388) corresponded to the Gâmabhojaka. The office was perhaps often hereditary, though village favour, opinion would naturally count for a great deal. The king's too, might partly determine the ultimate choice. Once the king's chaplain is seen acting as the village headman (III, 105). That the headman might sometimes be a person of high standing is also proved by the designation amacca which he sometimes bears (I, 354). In any case the functions of the Gâmabhojaka were wide and important. He exercised judicial powers, arbitrated between villages and made the guilty pay fines. For instance, he fined a fisherman's wife for stirring up a quarrel. She was tied and beaten to make her pay the fine (I, 483). He imposed and collected fines for excessive drinking, etc., and granted licenses for the sale of intoxicants (I, 198). Or he might issue prohibitions against the slaughter of animals or sale of intoxicating drinks (IV, 115). Elsewhere he is seen distributing food to famine-stricken villagers on promise of receiving a share of their next crop (II, 135).