The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.3

c10.3

The assembly or *comitia* of the rural institutions was known simply as the *sabhâ* or *mahâ-sabhâ* (great assembly) of the *grâma*¹ (village). In mediæval times the village association came to be described in the vernaculars as *panchâyat*² or "government by the five" (i. e. by a body of competent men). But the term is not to be found in Vedic or classical Sanskrit literature. Nor does it appear to be used outside of northern India.