Introduction
Public institutions in ancient India refer to formal structures and assemblies that governed civic life, regulated societal relationships, enforced laws, and facilitated community welfare. These included monarchies, republics, village panchayats, city councils, and various assemblies such as Sabha, and Samiti, which ensured grassroot and consultative participation in decision-making. Public institutions in ancient India were foundational to societal organization, governance, and collective identity, shaping the country's social, political, and economic landscape through diverse mechanisms and philosophies.
Society was stratified (Goyal, 2024, Tanzj, 2023). Public institutions included monarchies, republican assemblies (sabhas and samitis), educational centers like Nalanda and Taxila, religious monasteries, and economic guilds (shrenis). Society featured varna-jati systems, gender roles, occupational divisions, and ethical frameworks, with regional variations highlighting pluralism. Sanskrit sources idealize hierarchical governance and dharma-based society (Banerjea, 1916), while Sangam poetry depicts a vibrant, warrior-agrarian Tamil world with emphasis on justice and trade (UNESCO). Buddhist and Jain literatures advocate equality and non-violence, critiquing caste rigidity, (Muhlberger, 1998; Jain, 1947).
Local self-government, as seen in panchayats and territorial councils, promoted social cohesion, law and order, and consensus-driven conflict resolution. Monarchs exercised centralized power but depended on regional institutions to maintain control, collect taxes, and address common people's concerns.
The study of public institutions and society in ancient India reveals a complex interplay of political, social, economic, religious, and educational frameworks, documented extensively in regional literatures.
These sources provide primary evidences into governance and daily life. Sanskrit literature, as the lingua franca of northern India, dominates with prescriptive texts like the Arthashastra, which details administrative institutions (Banerjea, 1916). In contrast, Sangam literature from the south portrays a society centered on heroism and ecology (Wikipedia). Buddhist and Jain texts introduce reformist views, emphasizing monastic institutions as societal models (Budsas, 2003; Jain, 1947). Bengali literature, though emerging later, echoes ancient themes through mystic songs in Charyapada, reflecting Buddhist-Tantric societal undercurrents (Baruwa, 2007).
Public institutions at the local level, such as village councils (ur), Brahmin assemblies (sabha), and merchant organizations (nagaram), operated independently, reflecting regional distinctions in administration and democratic engagement. This chapter describes these elements through Sanskrit texts, Sangam literature, Budhist scriptures, and Jain norms.
Excerpts from Regional Literature
“An efficient king must found towns, build forts, appoint ministers and judges, establish guilds of artisans, and regulate all state and municipal offices”. source: Arthasashtra
"There shall be the assembly of the wise to advise the king, the sabha by the temple compound, overseers for the street, the market and for waterways." Source: Tolkappiyam (Tamil Text)
"The city with its tall walls, the king holding just assemblies, bards and minstrels honored at the court, law protected; in this great land, even the rarest pearls come to market", source: Purananuru "The king, chosen by the sabha and samiti, protects men according to dharma, supported by wise counselors." Source: Rigveda
"Let the king, after examining the circumstances with experienced ministers and the chief officials (amahatras), undertake whatever is beneficial for the people.", Source: Manusmriti
The above quotations show that the Public institutions in ancient India were fundamental to ensuring the stability, prosperity, and ethical governance of society, serving diverse roles from administration and economic management to education and welfare. These institutions enabled participatory decision-making and contributed to a cohesive social structure that sustained Indian civilization across.
Diverse Role
In ancient India, public institutions were diverse and evolved over time, reflecting the social, political, economic, and religious structures of various periods. These institutions were often intertwined with caste, religion, and local governance systems. Different types of public institutions that existed, based on historical texts are explored below.
Political and Administrative Institutions
“Assemblies (sabha) and councils (mantri-parishad) are the pillars of the kingdom; their deliberations should always be for public good.” (Mahabharata).
“An efficient king must find towns, build forts, appoint ministers and judges, establish guilds of artisans, and regulate all state and municipal offices.” (Arthashastra).
“There shall be the assembly of the wise to advise the king, the sabha by the temple compound, overseers for the street, the market and for waterways.” (Tolkappiyam, as cited in mutiru-tamilwisdom.blogspot.com).
Sanskrit texts like the Rigveda mention sabhas and samitis as democratic forums for decision-making, predating Greek systems (Muhlberger, 1998). The Arthashastra prescribes a seven-limbed state (saptanga rajya), including king, ministers, and spies, for efficient administration (Banerjea, 1916). Epics like Mahabharata discuss rajadharma, emphasizing justice in governance (Sharma, 2008).
Sangam literature portrays Tamil kings as patrons of arts and justice, with Purananuru poems lauding equitable rule and local assemblies (avai) for public disputes (Deines, 2024). This evidences a federal-like structure in southern kingdoms. Buddhist Vinaya texts model sangha governance on consensus, influencing secular republics (Granthaalayah). Jain literature highlights kings like Chandragupta embracing asceticism, integrating ethics into politics (Saletore, 1938). Bengali Charyapada subtly critiques societal power through mystic verses, linking to ancient eastern polities.
The Sabha and Samiti represent foundational political institutions in ancient Vedic India, emerged as assemblies that facilitated governance, deliberation, and social cohesion within tribal societies. These bodies are frequently referenced in Vedic texts, such as the Rigveda and Atharvaveda, underscoring their significance in a semi-nomadic, kinship-based polity where monarchical authority was not absolute but tempered by collective decision-making.
The Sabha functioned as a more exclusive council, comprising elders, nobles, and influential members of the community, often described as a body of wise men or aristocrats. It served judicial, advisory, and administrative roles, resolving disputes, interpreting customs, and guiding the raja (chief or king) on matters of policy. According to Vedic hymns, the Sabha was akin to a "house of assembly" where debates on legal and moral issues occurred, emphasizing dharma (righteous order). The Sabha's exclusivity is evident from its association with the elite, as it precluded broader participation, focusing instead on maintaining social hierarchy within the varna system, where Brahmins and Kshatriyas dominated proceedings.
In contrast, the Samiti was a larger, more inclusive assembly, representing the common people, alongside the elite, and convened for broader discussions on tribal affairs, such as warfare, alliances, and resource allocation. It played a pivotal role in electing or affirming the raja, symbolizing a form of popular sovereignty in an otherwise hierarchical society.
Economically, Sabha and Samiti influenced resource management, however, their decline paralleled the rise of janapadas (territorial states), where centralized power succeeded assembly-based governance.
Monarchical Institutions
At the core was the king, viewed as a divine protector upholding dharma, with absolute authority over policy, justice, and military affairs.
Bureaucracy was highly organized, with departments like the samaharta (revenue collector) managing land taxes (bhaga) and trade duties, supporting a vast economy. Military institutions undergirded monarchical power, with a standing army of infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, funded by state revenues.
Economic Institutions
The institution of shreni, or guilds, in ancient India represented a sophisticated form of economic organization that emerged prominently and flourished. These associations of merchants, artisans, and traders were pivotal in regulating commerce, craftsmanship, and social relations, functioning as self-governing bodies with legal autonomy. Rooted in Vedic references to occupational groups, shreni evolved into formalized entities by the time of the Buddha, as evidenced in Jataka tales and Buddhist scriptures, where they are depicted as influential in urban economies.
Shreni were typically organized by profession, such as weavers (tantuvaya), potters (kumbhakara), or jewelers (manikara), and operated under elected leaders known as shreshthin or jetthaka, who enforced internal rules, resolved disputes, and represented the guild in external affairs. Their structure included hierarchical roles, with apprentices, journeymen, and masters, fostering skill transmission and quality control. Economically, guilds controlled production standards, pricing, and market access, often holding monopolies in specific trades. Inscriptions from sites like Mathura and Sanchi reveal guilds donating to religious institutions, indicating their wealth and social integration. The Arthashastra of Kautilya prescribes state oversight of guilds, including registration and taxation, while granting them judicial powers over members, blending autonomy with royal regulation.
Shreni demonstrated ancient India's innovative approach to economic self-regulation. They contributed to urbanization. In religious contexts, guilds patronized temples, commissioning art and architecture, thus intertwining economy and culture.
Trade and Market Regulation
Sangam literature offers rich evidence of trade and market life in ancient Tamilakam, documenting bustling urban centers such as Puhar and Madurai. Texts highlight the role of local assemblies (nagaram) and councils (ur, sabha) in regulating markets, weighing and measuring goods, resolving commercial disputes, levying taxes and tolls, and ensuring fair competition. The presence of maritime trade, both within India and with distant lands, is emphasized in Sangam poems, reflecting an economically vibrant society with trade guilds that contributed to wealth accumulation and political power.
Taxation and Revenue Systems
Sanskrit texts elaborate on intricate taxation machinery. Kings levied land tax (bhaga), customs duties, trade tariffs, and fines for economic regulation. Land grants (brahmadeya) and endowments to temples and educational institutions also feature prominently, fostering economic redistribution and the development of infrastructure.
Religious and Cultural Institutions
Religious institutions in ancient India were central to the spiritual, social, cultural, and political life of the subcontinent. Through the prism of regional literatures Sanskrit, Sangam, Buddhist, and Jain texts—these institutions emerge not merely as centers of worship but as multifaceted entities that provided education, social welfare, political legitimacy, and economic influence. Their enduring role and diversified functions shaped the contours of ancient Indian civilization profoundly.
Temples and Monasteries in Ancient India
Temples and monasteries in ancient India served as multifaceted institutions, evolving from simple Vedic altars to grand architectural complexes by the Gupta period, integrating religious, educational, economic, and social functions.
Sangam Tamil literature portrays temples as vital components within urban and rural social fabric. Poems in Purananuru and Akananuru highlight temples hosting festivals that catalyzed social cohesion and affirmed royal authority (Narayanan, 1996). Temples were not isolated religious spaces but intertwined with governance and community life. They fostered local identity, supported artistic performance, and operated as centers where power was both expressed and negotiated on public terms.
Buddhist monasteries, though originated as seasonal retreats for monks but developed into permanent settlements with stupas, chaityas, and residential cells. They facilitated monastic life under the Vinaya rules, emphasizing community (sangha) and meditation.
Hindu temples symbolized cosmic order, with garbhagriha (sanctum) housing deities. Temples managed vast lands through brahmadeya grants, functioning as economic hubs for agriculture and trade. Chola inscriptions detail temple committees (variyam) overseeing finances and festivals. Socially, they promoted inclusivity, hosting pilgrimages and charitable activities, though access varied by caste.
Monastic Institutions: Buddhist Sangha and Jain Sangha
Buddhist canonical literature depicts the Buddhist sangha as a democratic and regulatory religious institution. The sangha functioned through assemblies where monks collectively decided on disciplinary matters, administrative organization, and doctrinal interpretation, reflecting an early form of religious self-governance (Rhys Davids & Oldenberg, 1881) Buddhist monasteries eventually became centers of learning, healthcare, and charity, as confirmed by Ashoka’s edicts that exhorted the king and subjects to support monks and hospitals (Thapar, 2002).
Jain institutions gained prominence in western and southern India, where they played critical economic roles via endowments and charitable operations, as well as political influence by advising rulers and patronizing arts and education. Monasteries like Nalanda integrated education, attracting scholars from China and Tibet.
Education and Knowledge Transmission
Religious institutions were instrumental in promoting education. Sanskrit universities like Nalanda and Takshashila both closely linked with Buddhist monastic traditions were renowned centers of cross-cultural learning attracting scholars from across Asia (Thapar, 2002). Temple complexes in Tamil regions also functioned as educational hubs where formal and informal learning included religious studies, arts, music, dance, and language (Muralidharan, 2006). Thus, religious institutions nurtured knowledge production and dissemination, contributing both to spiritual and temporal realms.
Social Welfare and Public Services
Religious institutions in ancient India undertook significant social welfare roles. Such establishments provided free medical care, shelter for travelers, and almsgiving to the poor, thus integrating religious practice with public health and welfare (Strong, 2001).
Temples fulfilled additional social functions by organizing communal festivals, redistributing resources via land grants, and supporting artisans and marginalized groups. Through rituals and charity, these institutions fostered social harmony and mitigated conflicts engendered by hierarchical caste and class structures, as reflected in the egalitarian ideals espoused by Vedic and later Buddhist ethics (Narayanan, 1996; Thapar, 2002).
Conclusion
Political institutions in ancient India, as documented in regional literatures, reflected a layered and diverse governance system combining monarchy, assemblies, councils, and local self-governance. These institutions performed critical roles from lawmaking and justice to administration and military leadership while balancing central authority with community participation. Regional texts uniquely complement each other by illustrating pan-Indian theoretical frameworks alongside localized, concrete administrative realities. This synthesis highlights the pluralistic yet coherent political culture that defined ancient India.
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A paradigm represents a framework, viewpoint, or collection of concepts that serves as a lens for understanding various subjects. In disciplines like science and philosophy, paradigms encompass specific theories, methodologies, and principles defining valid contributions within a field.
The field of public administration is experiencing a dramatic and rapid change. Locally and globally, some of the most significant trends that will have the role and function of public administrators is rapidly evolving as the needs and demands of citizens, governments and organisations influence their ability to create and implement policies.
Public administration in the 21st century is undergoing significant transformation, not just in advanced countries but also in various regions of the developing world, as the calls for transformative change grow louder. These changes are propelled by globalisation, liberalisation and the diversification of service provision.
As an initial output of the joint research between the Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) and the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), this article provides overviews of the Korean and Mongolian legislative environment, governance and characteristics of the anti-corruption policies.
Street vendors are an integral part of the urban informal economy in India, providing essential goods and service that cater to the diverse needs of city residents. They operate in various capacities, from food vendors to artisans, and play a crucial role in enhancing the vibrancy and accessibility of urban life.
This paper examines the critical role of communication in driving India's economic growth within the context of its diverse societal structure and the rapidly evolving information age. It argues that effective communication is not merely a tool for disseminating information but a fundamental force shaping development trajectories.
Access to safe drinking water is not merely a fundamental human right; it is a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and social equity. In rural India, where water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure pose significant challenges, the quest for reliable water supply becomes even more critical.
This paper outlines the century-long history of Mongolia’s civil service training institution, the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), which plays a crucial role in meeting the contemporary needs of training and developing human resources within the civil service sector.
India has committed to achieving developed nation status by the centenary of its independence, leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI tapping into its vast human capital, and implementing policies that foster high growth while addressing enduring social and economic inequalities.
This article explores the value and statehood of Mongolia by utilising Woodrow Wilson’s categorisation of “Judging by the constitutional histories of the chief nations of the modern world, there may be three periods of growth through which government has passed in all the most highly developed of existing systems, and through which it promises to pass in all the rest.
This paper examines India's economic trajectory through the lens of its demographic dividend a substantial youth population exceeding 50% under age 25 within its 1.4 billion citizens. While this demographic advantage offers unprecedented economic potential, its promise is threatened by systemic challenges including inadequate education access, limited skill development, and employment scarcity, particularly in rural areas.
Since the reform and opening up, China’s leadership training has experienced three stages of development: the initial stage of leadership training and development in the early period of China’s reform and opening up to the world (1978-2002), the rapid growing stage of leadership training and development in the period of fast growing economy and society (2002- 2012) and the innovative…
Healthcare in rural India presents unique challenges and opportunities. While global health metrics emphasize indicators like life expectancy, mortality rates, and healthcare infrastructure, they often fail to capture the socio-cultural nuances of rural communities
The “Internet plus” government service reform in China has progressed through three stages, namely one-stop service, one-window service, and companion service. This reform has become a significant example of reshaping the relationship between the local government and the public.
This paper explores the evolution of Indian welfare philosophy from Gandhi's nonviolent resistance to contemporary governance. It traces how the sacrifices of Indian revolutionaries fostered Sarvodaya and Antyodaya ideals, examining the philosophical underpinnings of these concepts in Advaita and dualistic traditions.
Like most other countries around the world, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh's education system has undergone a radical change from the beginning of March 2020 onwards. The study attempts to analyse teachers’, students’ and parents’ perceptions and experiences about the online education in the COVID-19 pandemic at the school level.
Health is a fundamental human right and a critical indicator of development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the importance of ensuring health and well-being for all individuals. A key objective of this agenda is to guarantee favorable health outcomes, underscored by the endorsement of a new declaration during the Global Conference on Primary Health Care held in Astana,…
In this article, published reports have been used for analysing state-wise status of SDGs achievements and their correlations with attainments in areas of poverty-reduction and other developmental indicators. Also, progress made by GPs on various metrics related to SDGs has been corroborated with other relevant metrics
Loss of governance reform efficacy is an identified entrenched institutional problem in systems. Reform, anywhere, is a sticky material because holders of powers and their cronies have rarely shown altruistic intentions of relaxing their profiteering grips over resources.
On September 1, 2023, a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind explored the possibility of something called One Nation, One Election in India and ever since this thing has come out in public, political parties all across the country have been fuming with anger.
This paper examines various initiatives taken by Government of India to promote collaborative governance in various sectors. With increasing needs and aspirations of the community for public services and the limited capacity of government to provide the same, the involvement of various stakeholders to deliver these services becomes important and necessity.
In the vast and diverse landscape of India, regional disparities in development have long posed significant challenges to achieving equitable growth and social justice. Recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, the Government of India launched the Aspirational Districts Programme in January 2018.
A dynamic interaction between the recognition of human complexity in organizations and the pursuit of structural efficiency has shaped the evolution of administrative philosophy. The foundational works of Frederick W. Taylor, Max Weber, Mary Parker Follett, Elton Mayo, Chester Barnard, Rensis Likert, Chris Argyris, and Douglas McGregor are critically examined in this essay, which charts the shift from traditional administrative…
In India, National Training Policy was formed in 2012, replacing the old policy of 1996. This was needed two reasons, new areas of administration given in the reports of second administrative reforms commission setup in 2005 and changing environment in different spheres of governance and new challenges of administration being faced by the civil servants.
India's emergence as a global services powerhouse in the 21st century marks a profound and transformative shift. This evolution, far from a mere economic change, is a strategic leap driven by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and the burgeoning global demand for specialized services.
Public administration, as the executive arm of the state, has tremendous responsibilities to match the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the state. The systems have evolved over the years in almost every country as the politico and socio-economic environment of the respective country have changed.
Public administration is the cornerstone of modern governance. It refers to the organization, management, and implementation of government policies and programs, carried out by public officials and institutions. As a vital mechanism of the state, public administration not only ensures the effective delivery of services to citizens but also upholds the principles of accountability, transparency, and rule of law.
Tribal Sustainable Development through Evidence-based Policy and Planning: A major issue in post-Independence India has been a misreading of demands of tribal communities. What they have been demanding pertains to choice upholding their traditions and customs and having ownership over natural resources
As the Idiom of technological advancement takes its toll. The paper highlights a few poignant and emerging factors in the International Relations theorization. It was conservatively maintained by the defense strategists and the political leadership across the Global polity that foreign policy and the Diplomacy are greatly determined by the “given” of Geography and terrain
With the deepening of democracy, increased decentralisation, increasing social and political awareness, digital penetration, shifts in demography, demand for quality services by common citizens has been accelerating at a faster pace. In such a scenario, the role of State is critical for promoting equity in access to services.
"Accelerating India's Development" holistically looks at India’s growth trajectory since gaining independence – it rounds up all where it has done well including unity, upholding the integrity of its constitution, retaining democratic values at its core. It also does not mince words to convey where all the nation has faltered such as falling short in delivery of public services including…
Income and Employment Intensive Growth Agenda for India: The paper examines income and employment status in the Indian labour force to identify policy attention and follow up. The macroeconomic policies taken during last one decade are yielding positive results leading to expansion of manufacturing and services and structural transformation in the economy.
An Analysis of India's Social Welfare Programs: In a democracy, the state's role is to promote societal welfare. According to Aristotle, the state should not only ensure its survival but also improve the quality of life for its citizens. The state has a moral responsibility to its citizens. Modern views agree that the state should provide essential services like education,…
Digital Innovations in Social Protection: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions: The integration of digital technologies into social protection systems represents a transformative shift with profound implications for the delivery of welfare services. This chapter explores the evolving landscape of digital innovations in social protection, contextualising these developments within the broader framework of universal social protection and a systemic approach to welfare.
One of the most crucial aspects of our society is law enforcement, which deals with issues of law and order nationwide. It is an essential component of the state's legal system. The British government introduced a Police Act in 1861, which is still very relevant and based on policing.
India’s Vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into a developed country, with healthcare being pivotal for this progress. Achieving universal health coverage and modernising healthcare infrastructure are essential for fostering a healthy productive population, which in turn drives economic growth and reduces poverty.
Several challenges linger in the Indian education system, like rote learning, the non-existence of practical skills among students, and disparities in access to quality education. To deal with the criticism for excessive curriculum and unreasonable focus on rote learning, this chapter examines the strategies comprising the building blocks to reform Indian schools.
Social development is expected to promote holistic improvement of individuals, institutions and their surrounding environments. Looking at the pace of development in India, the economy of most states requires strategic prioritization to accelerate improved well-being of the people. Accessibility to health, school education and public security are critical to the edifice of social development.
India is the largest democracy in the world inhabited by about 1.36 billion people over an area of 3287 thousand square kilometers according to an estimate for 2021 based on Census 2011. The Indian economy is characterised as a middle-income emerging market economy. In the last three decades the economy has faced three major crises, i.e., balance of payment crisis…
Neoliberal policies pursued by India since 1990s have created a space for private enterprises hitherto occupied by the state entities, unshackled the existing enterprises and introduced reforms to facilitate private initiative. This chapter looks into the ecosystem of the private sector in general and the developments in three specific sectors- urban mobility, water supply and housing, to draw lessons for…
This Chapter highlights the gradual transformation from Personnel Administration to Strategic Human Resource Management over the years in Government of India. However, there is still a long way to go. In this Chapter an attempt has been made to delineate the criticality to move towards Strategic HRM in Government of India to achieve India’s developmental goals.
Robust statistical data forms the cornerstone of an informed governance system. This paper studies the statistical system and data dissemination in the Centre and State governments in India, and the measures put in action to accelerate the data dissemination process. Arguing that the availability of high-frequency statistical data is a necessary condition for good governance, the first section of the…
In the Amrit Kaal (golden period) of independent India, the ‘citizen first’ approach guides public governance by deepening the outreach of service delivery mechanism so that international standards could be achieved in India@100. The goal can only be achieved by all inclusive governance involving stronger and effective local self-governments both panchayats and municipalities.
In modern societies, with the increasing role of the state in social and economic fields, emphasis on the quality of its governance is of prime concern to all. Indian bureaucratic system of governance is founded on the principle of rule of law, as the state power is divided amongst three chief organs, each has the its own quality under a…
This paper discusses the concept of good governance and its relations with the electoral politics in Indian context. It highlights the various strategies employed by the government and related agencies for the growth and development of the country. Major reforms pertaining to the country’s infrastructure, IT, administration, economy and public services are a few areas that have been explored in…
With the Indian government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking hundred years of independence, it has become of highest importance to learn from the past, tenaciously work in the present and step towards the future with complete efficiency. In its 77 years of becoming a democracy, India has soared high with continuous transformations marked by both…