Law Enforcement Systems in Ancient India

Early law enforcement/policing mechanisms in ancient India differed significantly from the modern systems. Instead of a centralized, formal police force, policing was a multi-layered, decentralized effort with shared responsibilities at the village, city, and state levels.

Pre-history (up to c. 2600 BCE)

  • During pre-historic times, social control was based on norms, customs, and community-level enforcement rather than any formal policing body. The concept of a police force did not exist.
  • Kinship Ties: Social order was maintained by the tribe or community, with kinship ties and customary rules governing behaviour.
  • Elder's Authority: Disputes were likely settled by community elders or a tribal chief.
  • Collective ....
Do You Want to Read More?
Subscribe Now
To get access to detailed content

Already a Member? Login here

Take Annual Subscription and get the following Advantage
The annual members of the Civil Services Chronicle can read the monthly content of the magazine as well as the Chronicle magazine archives.
Readers can study all the material since 2018 of the Civil Services Chronicle monthly issue in the form of Chronicle magazine archives.
Be an Annual Subscriber

Indian History