Republics – Ancient India
Chapter – 6
- The discussion shifts from monarchy, the dominant form of government in the post-Christian period, to non-monarchical forms of government, such as aristocracies, democracies, and republics.
- Some writers claim that monarchy was the only government form in ancient India, asserting that what were called republics were merely tribal states.
- This claim is deemed untenable, as evidence shows that tribes like the Malavas and Yaudheyas had republican governments.
- The term gana indicates a distinct form of government, separate from monarchy, characterized by power vested in a group rather than a single ruler.
- Testimony from merchants traveling through the Deccan distinguishes between countries with kings and those with gana or democratic governance.
- A Jain work advises monks to avoid countries lacking a king or those governed by a gana, suggesting the term had constitutional significance.
- Sangha also denotes a non-monarchical government, distinct from monarchy, as shown in coin legends referencing the ganas rather than tribes.
- Contemporary Greek writers provide evidence of various non-monarchical states in ancient India, despite some skepticism regarding their accounts.
- Greek historians distinguished between monarchical and non-monarchical states, favoring democracy over monarchy.
- Accounts highlight leaders like Amphi and Porus, with reports of republican governance among the populations they encountered.
- The city of Nyasa had an aristocratic government, while the Sabarcaë tribe operated under a democratic system.