The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s3.t3.3

c10.s3.t3.3

The inscriptions, although mainly donative in character, leave no doubt as to the legislative functions of the states. The fiat of official proclamations is known to have often abolished old customs and introduced new usages. The new regulations were held binding within jurisdictions for which they were intended. And the state exercised its "sanction" (*danda*) or penal authority, the essence of Austinian sovereignty, in order to punish the violation of its orders and announcements.