Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.303

c7.303

We have already discussed the power and the function of the *sabhā* in the earlier period,² and the same is applicable to the *sabhā* of these republics with the slight change that here the *samiti* existed as a check on the *sabhā*. Yet the latter still wielded the supreme power, but in grave crises it probably could not ignore the voice of the people as reflected in the *samiti*. Theoretically the ultimate authority was probably vested in the hands of the *samiti*, but in actual practice if found its manifestation and implementation through the *sabhā*. Apart from this change of situation, the position of the *sabhā* remained unaltered. We know far less about the assembly of these republics, though where there is evidence about the *samiti* it appears to refer to another type of constitution to be discussed next.