Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c6.s2.29

c6.s2.29

Professor A. S. Altekar asserted that the "*gaṇa* had a definite constitutional meaning and denoted a form of government, where the power was vested not in one person, but in a *gaṇa* or group of people. *Saṅgha* was another term used precisely in the same sense, because it was sharply distinguished from monarchy.”¹ Although a great improvement on earlier attempts, this definition is still vague and, quite like the previous ones, is not definite in bringing out the full constitutional significance of the terms *gaṇa* and *saṅgha*.