Number of words: 372

There is an old book of the tenth century which gives us some idea of Indian polity as it was conceived prior to the Turkish and Afghan invasions. This is the Nitisara, the Science of Polity, by Shukracharya. It deals with the organization of the central government as well as of town and village life; of the king’s council of state and various departments of government. The village panchayat or elected council has large powers, both executive and judicial, and its members were treated with the greatest respect by the king’s officers. Land was distributed by this panchayat, which also collected taxes out of the produce and paid the government’s share on behalf of the village. Over a number of these village councils there was a larger panchayat or council to supervise and interfere if necessary.

Some old inscriptions further tell us how the members of the village councils were elected and what their qualifications and disqualifications were. Various committees were formed, elected annually, and women could serve on them. In case of misbehaviour, a member could be removed. A member could be disqualified if he failed to render accounts of public funds. An interesting rule to prevent nepotism is mentioned: near relatives of members were not to be appointed to public office.

 These village councils were very jealous of their liberties and it was laid down that no soldier could enter the village unless he had a royal permit. If the people complained of an official, the Nitisara says that the king ‘should take the side, not of his officers, but of his subjects.’ If many complained then the official was to be dismissed, ‘for who does not get intoxicated by drinking of the vanity of office.’ The king was to act in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the people. ‘Public opinion is more powerful than the king as the rope made of many fibres is strong enough to drag a lion.’ ‘In making official appointments work, character and merit are to be regarded neither caste nor family,’ and ‘neither through colour nor through ancestors can the spirit worthy of a Brahmin be generated.’

Excerpted from pages 266-267 of ‘Jawaharlal Nehru The Discovery of India, by Jawaharlal Nehru