The Mauryan Polity c8.s2.t1: The Jānapada located in the capital

The Mauryan Polity c8.s2.t1

Language: English

The Jānapada located in the capital

c8.s2.t1.1

That the *Jānapada* assembly hall was located at the capital is testified to us by the *Mṛcchakaṭikā*. The news of the deposition of the reigning king and the election of his brother to the throne were brought by a messenger to the *Jānapāda-Samavāya* or the assembly hall of the *Jānapada* institution.¹ Thus the term *Jānapāda-Samavāya* is significant as it shows in unmistakable terms an assembly of the whole of the *Janapada* having its headquarters at the Capital city and not a miscellaneous assemblage as some scholars would have it. True the materials are lacking in regard to a number of particulars as to the working of that body, viz., the method of election, system of voting, writ to the members, spokesman of the assembly, etc., which are all features of modern democracies. But it is misreading history to import modern ideas into ancient systems of democratic government. Nevertheless the *Kauṭalīya* throws helpful light even in these respects.

c8.s2.t1.2

¹ Act X.

Linked texts (1)

Mṛcchakaṭika — Śūdraka, Sanskrit