The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c11.75.2

c11.75.2

But it is not necessary to fancy with the Greeks that the highest valour could only be produced by Spartan political habits. The tribe ruled by Mausikanos (Mucukarṇa) are said to have taken their meals in common and not to have recognised slavery.⁵ The latter statement is likely to be true, but the former is again too reminiscent of Sparta. One administrative detail about this tribe is more than interesting. Strabo says that their courts took cognisance only of murder and other violent crime.¹ It is possible that criminal justice had been taken over by the state but that civil disputes were still disposed of by heads of families or clans. Reminiscences of Athenian history seem to sway the imagination of the Greek writers when they relate that "at last after many generations had come and gone, the sovereignty, it is said, was dissolved and democratic governments were set up in the cities,"² or that "most of the cities adopted the democratic form of government, though some retained the kingly, until the invasion of the country by Alexander."³ It is noticeable that the Greeks think and write in terms of the city-state about India which was predominantly a land of villages and country states. In all Greek accounts of India this tendency to bring Indian history and politics into line with their own political evolution has to be alllowed for.