The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s3.t4.4

c10.s3.t4.4

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