[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) › c6.s2.29 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c6.s2.29 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c6.s2.29 - **Language:** English ### [c6.s2.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.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\*. - [Previous: c6.s2.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c6.s2.28) - [Next: c6.s2.30](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c6.s2.30) - [Up: c6.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c6.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c6.s2.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c6.s2.29) · Pramāṇa