Juristic Concepts of Ancient Indian Polity : Legal Concepts-I (Sources and Sovereignty)

By : Nagendra Singh

Page No: 74-101

Abstract
In this article,# the author describes the sources of law during different ages in ancient India starting from the Vedic age up to the Gupta Empire. The sources of law in the ancient Indian republics are also described. The author also sought to highlight the relative importance of different sources of law during different ages and explains the kinds of law prevailed in ancient India and how conflicts between different kinds of laws were resolved. Further, the author also explains how priority was given to dharma and customs over laws and concludes that the sources of law of ancient India were potent, balanced, vast and elaborate. The author also explains the concept of sovereignty in ancient Indian monarchies and republics. The concept of sovereignty in ancient India is viewed through the prism of theories of sovereignty propounded by the Western political scientists. A comparison between the concept of sovereignty during ancient and modern times is also drawn. The concepts of citizenship, nationality and aliens in ancient Indian monarchies and republics are also discussed in the article.

Author :
Nagendra Singh : The then former President, International Court of Justice, The Hague.