[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968) › c10.s7.22 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c10.s7.22 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c10.s7.22 - **Language:** English ### [c10.s7.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7.22) Following the old Brāhmaṇic tradition, Manu treats them contemptuously. According to the Lawgiver, a Vaiśya male and a Brāhmaṇa female produce a \*Vaideha\*,¹ whom he considers as base-born (\*apa-sada\*).² A secondary use of the word is shown in reference to their profession, "the service of women."³ According to Manu again, the \*Vaidehakas\* are the "lowest of mortals" along with the Sūtas, Cāṇḍālas and Māgadhas.⁴ The \*Mahābhārata\*⁵ and the \*Rāmāyaṇa\*⁶ refer to Videha and Mithilā, and the heroine of the latter epic is the Vaidehī Sītā. But the epics only record Videha as a kingdom and not as a republic. The tradition on which these stories are based evidently looks back to the pre-republican period. - [Previous: c10.s7.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7.21) - [Next: c10.s7.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7.23) - [Up: c10.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7) ## Cites (3) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.10.11) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c10.s7.22) · Pramāṇa