Question

Answer the following question in detail.

Describe the democratic and oligarchic states in ancient India.

Answer 1

Democratic States :

1. Some of the ganasanghas were divided into regional zones called 'Khanda'.
2. They functioned through a group of elected individuals, who were found capable.
3. Each of the elected members represented his respective khanda.
4. These elected members were installed with collective authority for the smooth running of the ganasangha.
5. This was a democratic system. Ganasanghas which functioned in this democratic way existed in Punjab and Sindh at the time of Alexander's invasion.
6. Each elective representative of the respective regional zone was designated as 'Ganamukhya'.
7. Every ganamukhya was a member of the assembly known as 'Gana Parishad'.
8. The decisions made by the Gana Parishad were implemented by designated functionaries of the various cadre.
9. He was known as the 'Adhyaksha' or 'Raja'.

Oligarchic States :

1. In this type, the elite class in the society held all the powers of decision-making and administration.
2. Panini and Kautilya mention them as 'Rajshabdopajivi' Sangh.
3. Panini includes Vajji, Andhaka, Vrishni, Yaudheya in the Rajashabdopjivi type.
4. Kautilya includes the Vrijji or Vajji, Madrak, Kuru, Panchala, etc. in this type.
5. This type of ganasanghas were more prevalent in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.