Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.15

c17.15

§ 85. The states wherein the Greeks found Executive Power held by a few families on hereditary principle, although the rulers were subject to a Gaṇa, they have described as aristocratic. In fact they were a mixed constitution which may be called for want of a better term, aristocratic democracy. Take for example, the state on the other side of the Hupanis (Beas). This had a Gaṇa or Parliament of 5,000 members. Yet it was called an aristocracy: "for the "multitude was governed by the aristocracy, who exercised "their authority with justice and moderation." It was according to the Greek view "*an excellent system of internal government.*"³ The Gaṇa of 5,000 was not a direct assembly, for only those were entitled to sit there who furnished the state with an elephant. This was the qualification, and a seat in the Gaṇa was based on qualification. The population was composed of 'good agriculturists, and men brave in war.' Every agriculturist and every fighter could not have afforded an elephant. But every agriculturist and fighter presumably must have been represented. Evidently the elephant men represented the 'no elephant' men. To the class of this mixed type belonged also the Patala constitution. The hereditary 'kings' were under the complete control of the House of Elders. It was an aristocracy in form but democracy in spirit.