The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s3.t4: 4. Legislation in ancient Madras and Ceylon
The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s3.t4
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4. Legislation in ancient Madras and Ceylon
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It was a law of Râja-râja the Great by which in 986 the village *panchâyats* of southern India were anthorized to take possession of and sell the lands of the persons who failed to pay the government dues for three years.¹ The abolition of tolls that had weighed heavily upon the people for generations was likewise effected by Kulot-tûnga's liberal legislative enactment in 1086.² The "positive" character of Chola legislation is manifest as much in the local government ordinances as in the cadastral and other centralizing measures.
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¹ Aiyangar, pp. 161—162, 149—150. For other Chola legislation see *supra* (the section on rural communes) and *infra* (national finance).
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² Aiyangar, pp. 161—162, 149—150. For other Chola legislation see *supra* (the section on rural communes) and *infra* (national finance).
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In Ceylon the charter by which the rural commune enjoyed its liberties emanated from the state as an 'Act to confer immunities'. In the tenth century a law was passed by King Kassapa IV (963—80) "in Council" to define the privileges of a village belonging to a hospital. "Whereas it was decreed," ran the proclamation, "that boundary stones \*\*\* should be set up \*\*\* all these officers of state \*\*\* have come from the council and set up in this village a pillar." According to this bill of rights granted by royal order, enforcers of customary laws were not to enter the village. It was placed beyond the jurisdiction of headmen of districts and keepers of district records. Servants of the royal family were likewise declared inadmissible. Laborers, carts, oxen and buffaloes of the territory were not to be appropriated. It was also made into an asylum against the right of extradition. Criminals who sought refuge in the village could not be arrested.³
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³ *Ep. Zeyl.*, Vol. II, no. 5.
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We have specimens of fiscal legislation also in Ceylonese inscriptions. From a desire that "succeeding kings should not again impoverish the inhabitants of Lamkâ by levying excessive imposts" Kirti Nissarnka Malla (1153—86) ordained certain rates at which alone revenue should be collected. And since "those who labor with billhook in clearing thorny jungles for cultivation earn their livelihood distressfully" he granted them by the same Act perpetual exemption from taxation.⁴
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⁴ *Ibid*, Vol. I, nos. 9, 21.