Self governing institutions of Ancient era- ( Circa 3000-1000BC).
1. Sabha- A smaller and select body of elders, like upper house in modern legislatures i.e. Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
2. Samiti- General assembly or house of the people like Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha.
3. These institutions are mentioned in Rigveda.
4. They can be said to contain rudiments of modern Parliament.
5. There are evidences in Vedic texts that the two bodies exercised authority, influence and prestige.
6. Free discussion and decision by majority was practised.
7. Fundamental principle of ancient Indian society was that no single person should conduct the affairs of the government.
8. Vedic political theory recognised Dharma as a true sovereign which meant Rule of Law and religion as is commonly interpreted these days.
9. Dharma or Rule of Law was upheld and enforced by the king.
10. Powers of the king were limited by the will of people, custom, usages and injunctions of Dharmashastras.
11 King was required to take oath of loyalty to law and constitution of the realm and to hold in trust the material and moral welfare of his people.
12. elective kingships and democratic institutions were found to be built in monarchical system.
13. Republic in Pos-Vedic history. Aitareya Brahaman, Panini's Ashtadhyayi, Kautilya's Arthashastra, Mahabharata , inscriptons on Ashoka's pillars, writings of contemporary Greek historians , Buddhist and Jain scholars and the Manusmriti give many examplesof functioning republics in post-vsdic history period. the republics were known as Sangha or Ganrajya and soverignty in these republics was vested in large assembly. these large assembly elected members of the Executives and military leaders.the assembly exercised control over the Executive and decided issues of peace and war and controlled foreign affairs.The assembly had its speaker called Vinadharma and whip called Ganapuraka who had sufficient knowledge of parliamentary procedures, resolutions , quorum, vote by majority . Purity freedom , frankness and fairness were practised in discussion. Complicated and serious matters were often referred to Special Committee elected from among the members of assembly.
14. Administration of Local Affairs. regional Councils ( janapadas) , City Councils( Paura Sabhas) and village assemblies ( Gram Sabhas) adminstered local affairs with complete freedom. arthshastra, Mahabharata and Manusmriti contain many examples references to the existing Gram Sabhas. Elective local bodies like Gram Sabhas, Gram Sanghas or Gram Panchayats wre common features of Indian polity in those days. Even after Sabha and Samitis disappeared gram Sanghas, Gram Sabhas , Gram Panchayts survived through rule of many Hindu and Muslim dynasties and fuctioned and flourished. Some survived even till the advent of British rule in some form or the other.( ref- Local Government in ancient India, Oxford, 1920)
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1. Sabha- A smaller and select body of elders, like upper house in modern legislatures i.e. Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
2. Samiti- General assembly or house of the people like Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha.
3. These institutions are mentioned in Rigveda.
4. They can be said to contain rudiments of modern Parliament.
5. There are evidences in Vedic texts that the two bodies exercised authority, influence and prestige.
6. Free discussion and decision by majority was practised.
7. Fundamental principle of ancient Indian society was that no single person should conduct the affairs of the government.
8. Vedic political theory recognised Dharma as a true sovereign which meant Rule of Law and religion as is commonly interpreted these days.
9. Dharma or Rule of Law was upheld and enforced by the king.
10. Powers of the king were limited by the will of people, custom, usages and injunctions of Dharmashastras.
11 King was required to take oath of loyalty to law and constitution of the realm and to hold in trust the material and moral welfare of his people.
12. elective kingships and democratic institutions were found to be built in monarchical system.
13. Republic in Pos-Vedic history. Aitareya Brahaman, Panini's Ashtadhyayi, Kautilya's Arthashastra, Mahabharata , inscriptons on Ashoka's pillars, writings of contemporary Greek historians , Buddhist and Jain scholars and the Manusmriti give many examplesof functioning republics in post-vsdic history period. the republics were known as Sangha or Ganrajya and soverignty in these republics was vested in large assembly. these large assembly elected members of the Executives and military leaders.the assembly exercised control over the Executive and decided issues of peace and war and controlled foreign affairs.The assembly had its speaker called Vinadharma and whip called Ganapuraka who had sufficient knowledge of parliamentary procedures, resolutions , quorum, vote by majority . Purity freedom , frankness and fairness were practised in discussion. Complicated and serious matters were often referred to Special Committee elected from among the members of assembly.
14. Administration of Local Affairs. regional Councils ( janapadas) , City Councils( Paura Sabhas) and village assemblies ( Gram Sabhas) adminstered local affairs with complete freedom. arthshastra, Mahabharata and Manusmriti contain many examples references to the existing Gram Sabhas. Elective local bodies like Gram Sabhas, Gram Sanghas or Gram Panchayats wre common features of Indian polity in those days. Even after Sabha and Samitis disappeared gram Sanghas, Gram Sabhas , Gram Panchayts survived through rule of many Hindu and Muslim dynasties and fuctioned and flourished. Some survived even till the advent of British rule in some form or the other.( ref- Local Government in ancient India, Oxford, 1920)
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