[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) › c7.288 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.288 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.288 - **Language:** English ### [c7.288](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.288) This hymn confirms our view about the distinction between the \*sabhā\* and the \*samiti\*, and the placing of the \*sabhā\* first shows its prime importance in the body-politic. This hymn also confirms the point that not all the people were entitled to attend the \*samiti\*. If the personnel of both were identical there would be little point in mentioning them separately, or the army (\*senā\*), which follows \*sabhā\* and the \*samiti\*. This hymn shows that these three—the \*sabhā\*, \*samiti\* and \*senā\*—were the three most important institutions in such political communities. Their respective numerical strength was probably in the following order. Firstly, all able-bodied male members of the tribe composed the army. Secondly, the heads of families could attend the \*samiti\* and had full rights of free-citizens as in the \*viś\*, the archaic body of heads of families from which the \*samiti\* probably developed. Thirdly, the \*sabhā\*, the composition and function of which we have already discussed at length, consisted of the most important, strong, wealthy and influential tribesmen.² - [Previous: c7.287](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.287) - [Next: c7.289](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.289) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.288](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.288) · Pramāṇa