[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) › c7.500 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.500 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.500 - **Language:** English ### [c7.500](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.500) Altekar derived the word from the root \*vid\*, to know, and suggested that it indicated a religious or sacrificial gathering, the rituals which required the highest knowledge. In his opinion, “it was a big assembly, probably representing the entire tribe, because there are references to people being arranged there by groups, and singing and dancing.”¹ His view, like that of Jayaswal’s and others, that it was a big assembly of the entire tribe is unwarranted by the sources. A local settlement can well provide enough people to be arranged in groups of singers and dancers. - [Previous: c7.499](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.499) - [Next: c7.501](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.501) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.500](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.500) · Pramāṇa