Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.5

c17.5

The constitution, like that of Patala, which provided for the election of a 'king' consul, was what Kauṭilya calls a Rāja-śabdin Saṃgha, a republic which recognized the title of Rājan.¹ Such elected 'kings' also obtained amongst the Lichchhavis. The elected king was not necessarily the leader of the army. Amongst the Lichchhavis, the leadership of the army vested in another elected chief called Senāpati (General). An elected 'king' president was the feature of the Śākyan constitution as well.