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Political Conditions and Institutions
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of the king's storehouse as Bhandāgārika.1 Dovārika’ had for his duty the closing of the gate of the city at night, while Nagaraguttika: was charged with the duty of arresting and executing the robbers of the city. Choraghātakat occupied the public office of the executioner of thieves. PROVINCIAL AND VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION
In provincial administration, a considerable degree of autonomy was allowed. We hear not only of a sub-king at Champā, but of Mandalika rājāss corresponding perhaps to the Earls and Counts of medieval European polity. In the small towns and villages, the king's power must have been represented by his officers.
The superintendent of the village, the Gānabhojaka, held a position of power and honour. He collected the taxes of the village and exercised judicial powers in the village, insofar as he settled quarrels and made the guilty to pay a fine. He issued prohibitory orders against the slaughter of animals and against the sale of intoxicating liquors.
While according to the Jātakas the villages transacted their business themselves? evidence corroborating the existence of any regular Council or Standing Commitee is not found in these works. Initiative was usually left with the headman, but if he acted unreasonably or against the established customs of the locality or realm, the village elders could set the matter right by pointing out his mistake.8
With the growth of the royal power, self-government was incrcasingly and proportionately reduced. In the lagadha kingdom, thc Gāmabhojaka (village Superintendent) remained under the personal supervision of the king, as it is clear from a passage of the Vinaja Pitaka.? To the king Bimbisāra, the 1. Jā, IV. 43. 2. Ibid, II, 379. 3. Ibid, III. 59. 4. Ibid, IV. 41; 111, 179. 5. DPPN, II, SOS. 0. Ja, I, 354; 1. 453; and IV. 115. 7. Kusala ja. S. Pániya fa. 9. Mi, V, 1.
