[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) › c7.191 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.191 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.191 - **Language:** English ### [c7.191](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.191) An examination of all the occurrences reveals that the mentions of the \*sabhā\* as a "council" are slightly fewer than the references to the \*sabhya\* or \*sabhyāḥ\*, \*sabhācara\* and \*sabhāga\* (members of the council or councillors), \*sabhāsads\* and the \*sabhāpati\*. There are a few references which indicate that the word \*sabhā\* might refer to the "council-hall,"⁸ which was also a centre for playing dice.⁹ Thus, the Vedic \*sabhā\* was to a large extent the forerunner of the \*saṇthāgāra\* of the republics of the Buddhist texts.¹⁰ The term was used in a sense similar to the later \*darbār\*, implying both the council and the council-hall. But the Mughal \*darbār\* was composed of the courtiers who advised the emperor when he chose to consult with them, whereas the Vedic \*sabhā\*, in this type of republic, was the supreme political authority of the tribe. - [Previous: c7.190](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.190) - [Next: c7.192](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.192) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.191](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.191) · Pramāṇa