Punishments in Ancient India 

 

 

Hi, everyone! 

Greetings of The Day! 

Thank you very much for your overwhelming response to my last blog. I was very happy. I have chosen this topic at request of the reader. While researching, I came across interesting facts about the Ancient Indian Penal system. So, Let's start the mesmerizing or enchanting journey towards the Ancient Indian Penal System. Keep reading till the end. 

 

What is the meaning of the Punishment? 

“Punishment means to suffer from a crime for an unlawful behavior/the imposition of penalty as punishment for an offence.” 

Or, 

“Punishment means pain and penalty, suffering inflicted upon a person by the authority of law.” 

In Dharmshastras Punishment Known as “Dharmarakasha or Danda” 

 

• Hindu Shashra’s on Ancient Indian Penal System- 

In the Hindu shastra's the king had superiority to panelize the wrongdoer or law breaker.  For the people or for the praja king is equal to God and had superior power to rule after God. The God who created us and Made punishment to maintain law and order for a better Life. 

Punishment is been followed in India since long time back, its one of the oldest practice in India and it was followed on the name of God. History of Indian penal system was brutal, twisted, and ruthless in nature. In Ancient time punishment was categories as follows - 

    1.Death punishment 

2. 2.Cutting Limb 

3. 3.Imprisonment 

4. 4.Fine or Seizing property  

5. 5.Social punishment like desertion 

The purpose of these punishment in Ancient Indian society - 

• Ensure that offender would not be able to commit the same crime again. 
• Punishment to set an example before a society, in hopes to preventing future crimes. 

King played an important role in the penal system of the ancient India. King has ultimate power according to Dharm shastra's. The Manusmruti was the one of the Penal shastra's in India, which was followed by Bramin’s.  

      

The punishment varies with varna’s or with casteism. The Highest varna Kshatriya, Brahmin's were the most favorably situated and the lower varna Vaishya, shudra were less favorable situated. And this Ancient Penal system followed till the end of 16th century.  

 

• Importance of Past life Karma in Ancient India- 

                     

Karma is good or bad that was performed in the previous life of person. Hindu believes Karma plays important role in someone's next life. When person committed any wrongful act in the past life, then he or she would have to suffer in the present life. 

Ancient Indian Peoples believed in supernatural dimension. And this Supernatural dimension also working of criminal justice system of God.  

If, any one born with the disability like born blind, or born with some disease, missing limb, mutation of body part, it is a stigma of their past sin or corrupt status. 

 

• Modern Indian Penal System Status- 

The modern legal system is advanced and follows the rule of equality. There is no discrimination on basis of religion, casteism, language. 

So, this is it! Hope, you will have valuable information form this topic. Stay tuned for my next blog. 

 #I will be back with next interesting topic! 

   

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