[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924) › c17.7 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.7 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.7 - **Language:** English ### [c17.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17.7) § 83 In the constitution of the Patalas the "council of elders" ruled. They had two so-called 'kings,' hereditary in two families, for the purposes of command in war only. Hereditary 'royal' families in republican bodies are also mentioned in the Mahā-Bhārata.² The Patala 'kings' were responsible to the Council which in turn was probably elected by the whole community, it being a democracy. Here we have in the Patala constitution a mixture of aristocracy and democracy. - [Previous: c17.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17.6) - [Next: c17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17.8) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17) ## Cites (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c17.7) · Pramāṇa