[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) › c7.356 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.356 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.356 - **Language:** English ### [c7.356](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.356) This is a hymn which a Brāhmaṇa utters after losing his cow. The word \*rājan\* occurs twice in the hymn, in one instance with reference to Varuṇa. The verse seems to imply that the \*samiti\* favoured those nobles who did not trouble the Brāhmaṇas, thus indicating growing Brāhmaṇic influence and the power of the \*samiti\* in the political community. The relation of the “nobles” and the \*samiti\* is significant and supports our view of a new form of non-monarchical government. The word \*viś\* does not occur in this hymn, but \*rāṣṭra\*, “country,” does. It suggests that this form of government might have had a territorial sense and controlled a larger territory and greater population.¹ - [Previous: c7.355](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.355) - [Next: c7.357](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.357) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.356](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.356) · Pramāṇa