[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) › c7.516 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.516 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.516 - **Language:** English ### [c7.516](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.516) There are a number of weaknesses in the line of argument which Professor Sharma has followed. We think that the mere association of women with the \*vidatha\* does not necessarily make it "a sort of assembly". We do not deny that the women took part in the \*vidatha\* and its ceremonies, but this only shows that in this respect it was unlike the political institutions of the \*sabhā\* and the \*samiti\*. In no early assemblies of the ancient Indo-European republican peoples, except the Germans,¹ do we find the association of women, and the fact that they participated in the \*vidatha\* is a strong argument in favour of the conclusion that it was \*not\* a political assembly at all, but a mere gathering of a settlement for the performance of religious ceremonies. In all Hindu sacrifices and religious ceremonies women participate with men. Hence, their association with the \*vidatha\* points to its non-political nature, and its local as opposed to tribal character. - [Previous: c7.515](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.515) - [Next: c7.517](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.517) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.516](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.516) · Pramāṇa