The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c15.198

c15.198

He laments the difficulty of obtaining perfectly true evidence (p. 133). However, the beadle conducts the judge to the court-room. The king’s brother-in-law wants to present his case first of all. The judge thinks that the court will be very busy otherwise that day and, accordingly, sends a message through the beadle, “ Leave us for to-day. Your suit cannot be considered ” (p. 134). Saṁsthānaka says, “ I will have this judge removed and another judge appointed.” The remark is communicated by the beadle to the judge who is frightened into taking up the case that very day. Saṁsthānaka is seen almost making fun of the court (p. 135). Among witnesses an old woman is called (p. 137). The defendant and the plaintiff are allowed to cross-examine one another, while the court-officers examine both (p. 142). In the course of the proceedings, Saṁsthānaka is once rebuked by the judge (p. 143). No ordeals are employed in this particular case but that they were frequently resorted to is clear from a later speech of the condemned man, Cārudatta. He complains:—