Page 23 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Chapter 1

Long Road to

Democracy

lements of democracy found expression in India's Kashi, Kosala etc in 6th and 5th century BC several
public life since the ancient times. The Rig Veda oligarchies or republics (Gäna) dotted the political
Ementions the twin representative institutions viz. landscape of northern India. More important of them
Samiti and Sabha with deliberative functions. The Samiti were Licchavis (Vrijis), Sakyas and Mallas. Buddha in
was the national assembly of the whole people (Viśah), Maha-Parinibbana-Sutta (Book of the Great Decease)
with powers to elect and re-elect the King (Rājan). It was describes the close parallel between Buddhist Council
thus a sovereign body, in constitutional terms. The with the state council of the Licchavis. Historian K.P.
famous Sanjnan Suktam (laKku&lwDre~) in the Rig Veda Jayaswal refers to the system of ballot voting by means of
(10/191.1-8) refers to the Samiti. The Suktam speaks of pins (Śalākā) in such councils to decide issues by majority.
'common policy of State' (lekuks ea=% lfefr% lekuh) with a
Though dynastic monarchy became the standard form of
common mind and common aim (lekua eu% lg fpÙkes"kke~),
which indicates that matters of state (mantra) were government in India from the 4th century BC onwards, it
stood on the foundations of the village level democratic
discussed in that assembly. It was incumbent upon a king
to attend its sessions. institutions. Whether under the Guptas, Cholas or the
Vijayanagara Empire, the village assemblies maintained
The Sabha, the second chamber, was as important as their autonomy. They survived longer in southern India than
Samiti. Its resolutions were inviolable and binding upon in the rest of the country. The Uttaramerur Inscriptions
all. The Sabha also acted as the national judicature. These (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu) of 10th century AD
twin assemblies appear to be more like experiments in refers to elections to various local committees of the village
direct democracy, which is still prevalent in some parts of assembly by draw of lots.
the world.
This tradition might explain why modern democracy had
Republican form of governments flourished in post-Vedic a favourable reception in India in the nineteenth century.
India. Alongside powerful monarchies like Magadha, Modern democracy in India, however, differs from

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