[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) › c7.241 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.241 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.241 - **Language:** English ### [c7.241](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.241) We have referred already to the fact that a few references indicate that the term \*sabhā\* was also used as the meeting place or council-hall.³ Our sources do not specifically mention what the \*sabhā\* actually discussed apart from the judicial matters indicated by some passages. There seem to have been at least two, and perhaps three, grades of members of the \*sabhā\*. All those qualified to sit in the council, and entitled to take part in the deliberations were called \*sabhyas\*. Words such as \*sabhāga\* and \*sabhācara\* indicate that the councillors went to the \*sabhā\* to participate in discussions.⁴ Those \*sabhyas\* who sat at a jury to administer justice were called \*sabhāsads\*. The distinction between the \*sabhyas\* and the \*sabhāsads\* is evident from an Atharvan verse: “O thou of the council \[\*sabhya\*\], protect my council \[\*sabhām\*\] and \[they\] who are the council or the councillors \[\*sabhyāḥ\*\]; sitters in the council or assessors \[\*sabhāsadaḥ\*\].⁵ Another verse refers to the assessors of Yama’s council.⁶ One passage in the \*Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa\* also mentions the \*sabhām\*, the \*sabhyāḥ\* and the \*sabhāsadaḥ\* separately.¹ Yet, another passage in the same text gives the impression that the \*sabhācaras\* were connected with the \*dharma\* or Law as the \*sūtas\* with singing and the actors with performing.² In most cases the \*sabhāsads\* are distinguished from the ordinary councillors. - [Previous: c7.240](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.240) - [Next: c7.242](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.242) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.241](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.241) · Pramāṇa