Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.78

c7.78

In discussing the origin of monarchy, Jayaswal depends on the statement of Megasthenes⁶ and tries to support it from the Ṛg Vedic evidence. He states that "monarchy was the earliest form of organized government in India. This is supported by the Rig-Veda where Monarchy is the normal and the only form of government known."¹ We have already discussed this question at length,² and here it will suffice to note that Jayaswal forgets that he himself has used at least one hymn from the *Ṛg Veda* in support of his election theory.³