The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c11.18

c11.18

In these oligarchies the assembly seems to have been a living institution. Probably it was a continuation of the Vedic Sabhā or Samiti. The Santhāgāra, as the mote-hall was called, seems to have been a mere roof supported by pillars without walls. Like the Vedic Sabhā it was the scene of gossip and social life. A Brāhmaṇa thus describes his experiences of Śākiya Santhāgāra to the Buddha, "Once, Gautama, I had to go to Kapilavatthu on some business or other of Pokkharasadis and went into the Śākiyans' Congress Hall. Now at that time there were a number of Śākiyans, old and young, seated in the hall on grand seats, making merry and joking together, nudging one another with their fingers; and on a truth, methinks, it was I myself who was the subject of their jokes; and not one of them offered me a seat. That, Gautama, is neither fitting nor is it seemly that the Śākiyans, menials as they are, mere menials, neither venerate, nor value, nor esteem, nor give gifts, nor pay honour to Brāhmaṇas."² The news of the Buddha's death is broken to the Mallas while they are in the assembly hall.³ Elsewhere too there is a reference to the mote-hall of the Mallas.⁴