Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 40

36
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(FEBRUARY, 1920
BOOK-NOTICE.
CORPORATE LITE IN ANCIENT INDIA, by RAMESH would have been a more suggestive and attractive
title. CHANDRA MAJUMDAR, M.A., Calcutta. 1918.
| Excellent as is the work as a collection of reliable This is the title of a new book, (pp. viii+176, facts and figures, the author's translation of some Demy), brought out by Dr. Ramesh Chandra of the Sanskrit passages quoted in the book seems Majumdar, of the Calcutta University. The book to be wrong (pp. 16-17; 22 ; 89 Vairajya). In consists of five chapters, (1) Corporate Activities other places his inferences seem to be wrong: in Economic Life, (2-3) Corporate Activities in (pp. 42; 45). Here Visam pati' does not at all Political Life, (4) Corporate Activities in Religious imply "the importance of the popular element Life, and (5) Corporate Activities in Social Life in the government" as inferred by the author ; The author has taken great pains to collect evidence, nor is there any reference in the Cow-hymn quoted literary (Vedio and post-Vedio), epigraphio and
in page 48 to any assembly, as stated by him. numigmatio, to prove the existence of self-governing Again the word 'sabha' (pp. 47, 55, 56) was in institutions both under monarchicaland republican many places used in the sense of a gambling, forms of government, that existed side by side in rather than a political, meeting. Similarly, the word Ancient India. The cooperative guilds of artisans, Vairdjya' means foreign rule as stated in the traders and merchants with power to elect their Arthasastra (text p. 323) and never & nonown Mukhya or president or presidents, to enact monarchical form of government. their own laws and rules to regulate the work and In noticing the corporate activities in Religious conduct of their memlers, to admit new members life, the author has confined his attention only or to expel members for minoonduct and to appeal to the Buddhistio and omitted the Brahmanio and to the king to restore order in & guild that is likely other communities. to degenerate owing to factious spirit of some of In the last chapter, his description of the evoluits members the political assembly of the people I tion of caste is somewhat oonfused for want of a with power to elect, expel, or restore kings, the olodr chronological analysis of the subjeot. self-governing villages, the Buddhist Sanghas, the On the whole the book is an excellent and valuable Caste ayatem are some of the ancient Indian Insts. treatise on ancient Indian social and political insti. tutions that are noticed in detail with regard to their tutions and deserves to be seriously studied by all relations to the supreme Government. Accordingly that are interested in the history of India. * Self-govering Institutions in Ancient India"
R. SHAMASASTRY.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
parts, of a Merchant and his Servant murthered in their own house by Robbers; The President added that if a Speedy stop was not put to this mischeif it would increase upon Us till it oame past remedy. The Cowle was then read, and the violation of every part thereof by Peddansigue
NOTES FROM OLD FACTORY RECORDS. 16. The Chief Watchman discharged for
incapacity. 7 July 1718. Consultation at Fort St. George.
The President reports to the Board that Peddanaigue (Pedda Nayak) the Cheif watchman of the Town has forfeited his cowle (gaul, agree ment] by open and notorious transgressions of every part thereof, that he is become utterly incapable of discharging the duty of that post, having by his extravagance rendered himself una ble either to maintain a sufficient number of Talliars (talaiyare, watchmen) to watch the city or to make good any Loesce that shall happen, us by the Cowle he is oblig'd to do, that thro' his incapacity as a Watohman to discharge his duty, frequent Robberys have happend of late, and one instance of what is unusuall in thelle
Poddansigue being call'd in and acquainted with the sentiments of the Board on his oonduot, was asked if he had any thing to say in his own defence. Ho only reply'd that he was not able to do better and left himself to the Judgment of the Board. Agreed that Peddanaigue, Cheif Watchman of the City, having forfeited his Cowle and being incapable of performing the duty of his Office be dismissed the Hon ble. Companys Ser. vice. (Madras Public Consultations, vol. 87).
R.C.T.