Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.22

c9.s5.22

In contrast to these scholars, Rhys Davids is much more cautious in his interpretation of the data and he briefly summarises the eight stages of the procedure, wisely remarking, "We hear of no such intermediate officials in the smaller clans; and even among the Vajjians it is not likely that so complicated a procedure was actually followed."³ This view shows a fair and balanced judgement. Prof. Rhys Davids⁴ has also shown that a book of legal precedents is referred to in the *Tuṇḍila Jātaka*⁵ and that the tables of law are mentioned at yet another place.⁶ He later concludes that "it is therefore not improbable that written notes on the subject were actually in use".⁷