Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.302

c7.302

A striking feature of these republics appears to be their self-confidence and desire to live in peace with their neighbours, which is just the contrary of what we learn about the republics at the time of the Buddha and Mahāvīra. Yet in such turbulent times it seems hardly possible that peace could have been looked upon as being in any way normal or permanently desirable. Hence it seems that the citizens wished merely to be recognized and to win over people with their pleasing speeches and polite manners, in order to attain "brilliancy, strength and the highest position" in the republic, which were not hereditary.