[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) › c7.303 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.303 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.303 - **Language:** English ### [c7.303](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.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. - [Previous: c7.302](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.302) - [Next: c7.304](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.304) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.303](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.303) · Pramāṇa