lienabteri supreme power which is deu mprehensive and permanent. It is subject to no limitation e, al command by any uperior person. But Austin's theory is a lawyer's view of sovereignty and it has b to a searching criticism, particularly by Sir Henry Maine and o historical according to Maine, does not determinate human superior. "A despot with a disturbed brain," says the sole conceivable example of such sovereignty Maine emphasize existence mass which may call for m that perpetually shapes, limits, or forbids the actual direction of the for its sovereign ''30 He cites the example of Ranjit Singh, ruler of Punjab, Maine charactereised as an absolute despot apparently possessing qual Austin's conception of the sovereign power. Ranjit Singh, Maine says, have commanded anything; the smallest.disobedience to his commands have been followed by death or mutilation 31 Yet, Ranjit Singh neve in all his life" issued a command which Austin could call a law. which regulated the life of his subjects were derived from their imm usages, and these rules were administered by domestic tribunals, in