[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922) › c10.s2.2 # The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s2.2 The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s2.2 - **Language:** English ### [c10.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s2.2) We have seen that in addition to what may for general purposes be described as mass-meetings of the villagers and often as "representative" assemblies of the rural folk, ordinarily known as the \*panchâyats\* (or councils of the five), Hindu India was used to several other \*sabhâs\* or councils as organs of public administration. These were the conferences of the ecclesiastical associations (\*samghas\*), the agricultural, industrial and commercial \*samûhas\*, i. e. gilds or \*śreṇîs\*, and the municipal corporations of cities like Govardhana, Pâtali-putra, Ujjayinî, Taxila and so forth. The conciliar element in Hindu polity was further embodied in another important institution. This was the Supreme Council of the king or emperor. - [Previous: c10.s1.t9.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s1.t9.12) - [Next: c10.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s2.3) - [Up: c10.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s2) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sarkar-1922.c10.s2.2) · Pramāṇa