Early Democratic Traditions

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 4: New Beginnings: Cities and States · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 4.2

Learn

Each janapada had an assembly, a sabhā or samiti (words first found in the Vedas), where clan matters were discussed, probably by elders. The rājā was not meant to rule as he pleased: a good ruler took advice from the assembly, ministers and officials, and some texts even say an incompetent ruler could be removed. Our evidence is incomplete, so we cannot call this a fixed law.

Many mahājanapadas, such as Magadha, Kosala and Avanti, became monarchies: the rājā was the final authority, usually succeeded by his son, and he collected taxes, kept order, built fortifications and maintained an army. But Vajji (Vṛijji) and Malla were different. There the assembly took decisions through discussion and, if needed, a vote, and it even selected the rājā. These states, called gaṇas or saṅghas, are often called early republics, among the earliest in the world.

Explore: monarchy or gaṇa?

1. Sort each card.

Remember

• Janapada assemblies (sabhā, samiti) advised the rājā.
• Most mahājanapadas were monarchies; Vajji and Malla were gaṇas, early republics where the assembly chose the ruler.

Quick check

Why are Vajji and Malla called early republics?

1. their assembly made decisions and chose the ruler
2. they had no ruler at all
3. they were the biggest
4. the king was elected by foreigners

Think about it

How is a gaṇa's assembly similar to and different from India's Parliament today?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.