[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928) › c10.97 # The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.97 The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.97 - **Language:** English ### [c10.97](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c10.97) Border troubles. Besides feudalism there was the tendency towards functional organisation. Traders in various articles, skilled workers of various categories, such as mariners (IV, 137); garland-makers (III, 405); caravan traders (I, 368; II, 295), mass-troopers (I, 296-97; II, 388; IV, 430); masons, blacksmiths, carpenters, painters, etc. (III, 387; VI, 427), had organised themselves into guilds. Eighteen was the traditional number of the varieties of guilds. Their representatives were invited to ceremonial functions (IV, 411; VI, 22). Definite quarters were sometimes assigned to guilds in a city (I, 320). The state maintained touch with the guilds. Their leaders are seen attending on the king (II, 12, 52; III, 281). The Bhaṇḍāgārika seems to have acted as a judge for guilds in some cases (IV, 43). Within a guild itself, the position of the Seṭṭhi or alderman seems often to be hereditary (I, 231, 248; III, 475). - [Previous: c10.96](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c10.96) - [Next: c11.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c11.2) - [Up: c10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c10) ## Cites (2) - [Jātakatthavaṇṇanā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka!jatakatthavannana*cst.1.4.10.p11) — Pāli - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c10.97](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c10.97) · Pramāṇa