Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.389

c7.389

The passages referring to the nobles (*rājānaḥ*) indicate beyond a doubt that in some tribal governments a college of nobles ruled.⁵ The relation between the nobles and the *samiti* is further manifested by the verses which mention that the nobles met in the assembly to discuss what appear to have been important matters of administration.⁶ Some hymns also indicate that the assembly performed religious rites to secure the favour of the gods as well, on behalf of the tribe. This function must have been very significant at the time as the Vedic people were preoccupied with religion. Some hymns clearly show that the *samiti* possessed considerable power as well.⁷ We also notice that there was often discord among the nobles of the ruling college and the members of the *samiti*,⁸ that there was a constant struggle among the nobles to achieve the supreme power and that there was a chief of the nobles who was merely a *primus inter pares*.¹ Our sources further allude to what appears to be the royal insignia or symbol of political authority—the *daṇḍa*, rod, and the *dhanus*, bow—and to the *kṣatra*, or ruling authority passing from one head of the government to another, after the former's death.²