[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) › c23.5 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c23.5 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c23.5 - **Language:** English ### [c23.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.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. - [Previous: c23.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c23.4) - [Next: c23.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c23.6) - [Up: c23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c23) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c23.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c23.5) · Pramāṇa