[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) › c12.s3.44 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c12.s3.44 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c12.s3.44 - **Language:** English ### [c12.s3.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.44) This strongly suggests that the Mallas had an assembly consisting of the heads of families of the tribe, all of whom would be Kṣatriyas of the Vaśiṣṭha-\*gotra\*. They were all called \*rājās\* as were the Licchavis, or in Kauṭilya’s terms they “lived by the title of \*rājā\*”.¹ After the death of a certain member of the assembly, perhaps his eldest son took his father’s seat and he was probably initiated into the assembly after a ceremony at the \*Makuṭa-bandhana\*.² The \*Makuṭa bandhana\* appears, from its name, to have had some political significance for the ruling Mallas of Kusinārā apart from being a shrine. The Paveyya-Mallas ³ might also have had such a place for anointing the new members into the assembly. - [Previous: c12.s3.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.43) - [Next: c12.s3.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.45) - [Up: c12.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.44) · Pramāṇa