[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) › c16.5 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c16.5 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c16.5 - **Language:** English ### [c16.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16.5) There is no evidence for the suggestion that the word \*gaṇa\* in the Vedic texts denoted a republic, nor is there any weight in the argument that the \*vidatha\* was the "earliest folk-assembly" of the Indo-Aryans. On the other hand, there is some evidence to show that \*gaṇa\* meant a collection or troop, and that the \*vidatha\* was a local synod responsible mainly for the performance of the religious rites and ceremonies of the settlement. - [Previous: c16.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16.4) - [Next: c16.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16.6) - [Up: c16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c16.5) · Pramāṇa