Juristic Concepts of Ancient Indian Polity : Politico-Constitutional Organisations

By : Nagendra Singh

Page No: 26-73

Abstract
In this article,# the author explains that ancient India witnessed both monarchical and republican forms of State and explains their respective political organizations. The author elaborates the politico-administrative structure of monarchies in ancient India during Vedic period, Brahmanic period, Magadhan Empire, Gupta Empire and during the reigns of Kushan and Harsha. The author also explains the structure and functions of important politico-administrative entities existing at different periods in ancient India and explicates the position of the king visà-vis these entities during the respective empires/ regimes. Citing some ancient sources, the author then explains the existence of individual republican States as also ‘confederal’ republics during ancient India and delineates the political organization and functioning of the republics at the time of Alexander’s invasion and Mauryan age. The author explains the executive and legislative wings of the republics as also provides an elaborate view of the procedures and practices governing deliberations in the ‘Assembly’ or the legislative wing of the republics during that period. The author also briefly discusses the decline and fall of the republics in ancient India.

Author :
Nagendra Singh : The then former President, International Court of Justice, The Hague.