Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c18.13

c18.13

§ 93. Svārājya is taken to be a peculiar constitution by the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa prevailing in Western India.¹ The ruler or President was called *Svarāṭ*. It literally means "self-ruler." The Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa in praising the Vājapeya royal consecration says that a wise man (*Vidvān*) sacrifices by the Vājapeya and he obtains Svārājya, which it explains as 'becoming the leader of equals.' He attains 'eldership' (*jaishṭhya*).² This little information shows that the *Sva-rāṭ* ruler was taken from amongst equals, and was made President, and that the selection was based upon merit for Indra who is said to have first obtained the Svārājya consecration (*abhisheka*) is described as having proved his merit. Evidently this refers to an election or selection to the presidentship amongst the members of a gaṇa or council. It should be noted that the members of the gaṇa according to the Mahā-Bhārata were considered to be equals (*sadriśās sarve*).³ According to the Aitareya this form of government prevailed amongst the Nīchyas and the Apāchyas of Western India. The Nīchyas would have occupied, as their name signifies, the low lands bordering near the mouths of the Indus, and the Apāchyas, probably, the regions immediately above. In the time of the Yajur Veda, however, the Svārājya form prevailed in Northern India.¹ Later reference than the Aitareya for this from of constitution has not yet been met with.