[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) › c13.s2.153 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c13.s2.153 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c13.s2.153 - **Language:** English ### [c13.s2.153](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2.153) In our opinion Rhys Davids' suggestion that votes were never taken in the deliberations of the Buddhist republics seems rather timid, though it may well apply to the Vedic assemblies.² As regards Jayaswal's theory of "deliberation in Hindu republics," we find it historically false. No early text refers to the Sakyas as deliberating and deciding the issue by a vote of the majority. The whole story is a late one, and though it may contain historical recollections, it is hardly sufficient as a basis for the view that majority voting was a regular feature of the procedure. We concede to Jayaswal's view that the Sakyas deliberated on important matters, like any other republic of the time, and probably also had a simple voting system either by raising hands or by the use of wooden chips. But there is no evidence for a much more elaborate system of deliberation. The truth probably lies somewhere between what Rhys Davids suggested and a simpler procedure than that gleaned from the \*Cūllavagga\*. It could hardly be, we might add, the detailed picture presented by Altekar.³ - [Previous: c13.s2.152](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2.152) - [Next: c13.s2.154](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2.154) - [Up: c13.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2.153](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c13.s2.153) · Pramāṇa