Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c23.5

c23.5

§ 126. Apart from disruptive instances, we have instances of the formation of entirely new republics. The Kurus and the Pañchālas who had been under monarchies according to Vedic literature³ and the Jātakas, adopt republican form of government about the fifth or the fourth century B.C. As we have seen they are described as republics in the Artha-Sāstra of Kauṭilya. Another instance, which has been already pointed out by Prof. Rhys Davids, is the change of constitution of the Videhas.¹ They had been formerly under monarchy according to Vedic literature and the Jātakas. Megasthenes states that republican form of government was thrice established and thrice changed into monarchy.² This tradition would have been current in one of the principal seats of monarchy of the Doab where ancient chronicles had been kept.