The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s1.t3.10

c10.s1.t3.10

The *panchâyats* were also authorized to take possession of and sell the lands of persons who had failed to pay the Government dues for three years.¹ And of course local justice fell within the jurisdiction of these assemblies. Even in cases of murder they could sit in judgment, and what is remarkable, had the power to exercise discretion in meting out penalties. On several occasions the rural soviets of ancient Madras, finding that the murder was not culpable homicide, sentenced the defendants to simple fine instead of the usual capital punishment. And in order to carry out their decisions the village assemblymen did not have to refer the matter to the central authority represented by the royal officer.²