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I-Day special: The fascinating history of India's ancient democracies
Ancient democratic traditions were steeped in spirituality and culture
A few months before his samadhi , the Buddha was in Rajgriha (present-day Rajgir in Bihar), preparing to start his three-month rain retreat. He had an unexpected visitor―Vassakara, minister of King Ajatashatru of Magadha. The minister wanted the Buddha’s counsel on Magadha’s plan to annex Vajji, a neighbouring confederacy of republican tribal states.
But the Buddha did not answer Vassakara directly. He turned to his disciple Ananda and started a conversation that gave a peek into the republican governance system in the sixth century BCE. “Have you heard, Ananda,” the Buddha said, “that the Vajjians frequently hold public meetings of their clan?”
“Lord,” said Ananda, “so have I heard.”
“As long as the Vajjians meet so often,” said the Buddha, “and call public meetings of their clan frequently, may they be expected not to decline but to prosper.”
He then laid down seven conditions of welfare that the Vajjians were expected to adhere to: holding full and frequent assemblies, taking and implementing decisions in concord, preserving institutions, honouring elders, protecting women, conserving shrines and supporting the enlightened.
The message: the Vajjians should prosper as long as they met the conditions. Having received the Buddha’s counsel, Vassakara took leave after assuring him that Vajji would not be annexed―at least not in the near future.
The conversation, recorded in the Pali text Mahaparinibbana Sutta , moots a key discourse on polity. Scholars have wondered whether the Buddha’s advice ended up showing Ajatashatru a way to conquer the Vajjians, which he ultimately did more than a decade later as he expanded the Magadhan empire.
The seven conditions of welfare are often recognised as key governance principles that had elements of democracy. Buddhist monasteries adhered to the principles, which mirrored the ethos of the prevalent gana sanghas (clan-based oligarchies) of the time.
The leading republican state in the Vajjian confederacy, Lichchhavi, followed its own system of governance. Another text, Ekapanna Jataka , says Vaishali (the capital of Lichchhavi, in present-day Bihar) always had 7,707 ‘kings’ to govern the state. These kings belonged to the Lichchhavi clan and they were given to “argument and disputation”.
The Lichchhavi Gana Sangha had a number of administrative units, each of which was a mini state. They had an elected council, a general assembly that met once a year, and a system of voting that employed sticks. The ruling clans practised egalitarian traditions and rejected Vedic ones.
After the Buddha’s death, monasteries, too, followed a system of discussion and voting, says the Buddhist text Vinaya Pitaka . They had three systems of voting: the ballot, whispering in another monk’s ear, and show of hands.
Inscriptions on the walls of the Vaikunda Perumal Temple at Uthiramerur in Tamil Nadu, which has been dated to 920 CE, detail an elaborate system of local self-governance that elected councils by secret ballot. Similar inscriptions have been found in other parts of the state, indicating that an early form of democracy was prevalent in ancient times.
So, can India call itself the “mother of democracy”, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi phrased it while laying the foundation stone for the new Parliament building in 2020. Modi has since used the phrase multiple times―from his address to the United Nations in 2021 and his speeches abroad during official visits, to his radio show, Mann ki Baat. As India gets ready to host the G20 meetings in September, the invite says, “Welcome to the Mother of Democracy.”
The phrase gives a cultural and nationalistic interpretation of India’s ancient history. The UN’s adoption of the International Day of Yoga was a soft-power success that helped India maintain its position as “vishwaguru”. The ‘mother of democracy’ tag now places the country in the front row of world powers which have been employing cultural history in their quest for dominance.
The Chinese use their culture, along with their economic prowess, to present China as the dominant cultural civilisation. The US prides itself on being the world’s oldest modern democracy that has been thriving for more than 200 years.
The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) recently took Modi’s cue to come out with India: The Mother of Democracy , a book of 30 essays that detail the presence and evolution of democratic traditions in India over the ages.
The book covers a lot of ground―the sabha and samiti of the Vedic period, the gana sanghas, Kautilya’s Arthashastra , republican leanings of the Kakatiyas, Kashmir under Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin, the bhakti tradition of the Deccan, local self-governance in Tamil Nadu, Buddhist democratic ideals, democratic traditions of Namdharis, Bhils, northeastern tribes and Haryana’s khap panchayats, and continuation of the panchayat system under the East India Company.
“India is the largest democracy in the world and we Indians are also proud of the fact that our country is also the mother of democracy,” said Modi while talking about the book in the January edition of Mann ki Baat. “Democracy is in our veins, it is in our culture. It has been an integral part of our work for centuries. By nature, we are a democratic society.”
Modi said B.R. Ambedkar, chairman of the committee that drafted India’s Constitution, once compared the Buddhist monks’ union to the Indian Parliament. “He described [the union] as an institution where there were many rules for motions, resolutions, quorum, voting and counting of votes. Babasaheb believed that Lord Buddha must have got inspiration from the political systems of that time,” said Modi in Mann ki Baat.
The concept of democracy as a political system goes back to ancient Greece, particularly Athens. Cleisthenes (508-507 BCE), the father of Athenian democracy, introduced a system where all male citizens had equal political rights, freedom of speech, and opportunity for political participation.
The Athenian democracy had three separate institutions―the ekklesia , a sovereign governing body that wrote laws and dictated foreign policy; the boule , a council of representatives from the ten Athenian tribes; and the dikasteria , popular courts in which citizens argued cases before a group of lottery-selected jurors. The Athenian democracy survived for only two centuries.
In India, two millennia of rule by powerful empires uprooted previous concepts of democracy. The colonial powers who followed floated the idea of oriental despotism, a concept popularised by the German sociologist Karl Wittfogel.
But new archaeological and historical findings at the turn of twentieth century gave rise to several nationalist historians such as K.P. Jayaswal, A.S. Altekar, D.R. Bhandarkar and R.C. Majumdar. They talked about ancient republics and democratic societies. Jayaswal’s Hindu Polity , Majumdar’s Corporate Life in Ancient India , and Altekar’s State and Government in Ancient India shed new light on the gana sanghas , Vedas, Buddhist sanghas and local self-governance in Tamil Nadu of ancient times. It prompted a wave of nationalism as India was still under British rule. The discovery of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in 1906 also aided the nationalist project, which came to question the western notion of democracy that had Athenian democracy as the starting point.
“Most of the oldest civilisations have either died or are in museums,” ICHR chairman Raghuvendra Tanwar told THE WEEK. “Ours is the only surviving one, where linkages can be seen for 10,000 years.”
Critics, however, point out that India did not have developed systems of democracy, as decision-making in ancient republics such as Lichchhavi was a privilege of the ruling clans. Wealth and caste played a factor.
Tanwar says it is important to understand the essence of what ‘mother of democracy’ means. In Rajtarangini , a 12th-century account of the history of Kashmir, author Kalhana talks about how kings should be: “He should be dispassionate and fair, and should not take sides.”
During the Vedic period, kings took oath that they were committed to the common good and welfare of the poor. “Vedic literature, for example, talks about the presence of sabha and samiti , from which kings drew their power,” said Tanwar. “We told the world that you don’t escape actions. In the broader sense, this is precisely what democracy should be, meaning that you cannot escape the course of your actions.”
The ICHR book projects Harappa as an example of an early democratic institution. According to Vasant Shinde, archaeologist and former vice chancellor of Deccan College, the concept of democracy and welfare state can be traced back to the Harappans. He says archaeological evidence of well-planned Harappan cities indicates that they had an administrative system similar to today’s panchayats.
“Unlike Egyptians who built pyramids, the Harappans did not build imposing structures that served no purpose for ordinary people. Instead, they used their wealth to create clean, well-planned civic amenities,” said Shinde, who headed the recent Harappa-related excavation at Rakhigarhi in Haryana.
Apparently, the Harappans were able to collect tax efficiently, provide clean and hygienic water to residents, and build public granaries. “It would not be farfetched to surmise that all these facilities were created on the instructions of a group of administrators, like modern-day panchayat members, who were likely chosen by the populace,” said Shinde.
According to him, the administrators had a slightly higher status in Harappan society, as indicated by the fact that they had spacious, independent residential units in the citadel area of the city. All available evidence affirms the existence of a democratic system during the Harappan period, which dates back to about 4,500 years ago.
Ideas of participative governance come from the Vedas as well. The Rig Veda and Atharva Veda talk about sabha and samiti . Jayaswal argued that a samiti was a sovereign body from the constitutional point of view, while sabha was a standing body of selected men working under the authority of the samiti. The terminology is still prevalent.
Grammarian Panini talks about presence of janapadas (republics); Arthashastra identifies sanghas and ganas ; and Pali texts translated by Buddhist scholar T.W. Rhys Davis reveal a society that took decisions after convening assemblies. Greek records and travelogues of Arrian and Megasthanes also attest to the existence of republics in ancient India.
The gana sanghas had kings as the head of the executive, but the kings did not enjoy absolute power. There was a council of ministers, comprising members of the ruling clan. Apparently, the Malla republic had four members in its council, while Lichchhavi and Videha republics had nine and 18 members, respectively.
In Lichchhavi, disputes regarding matters of war and religious and social issues called for voting. If consensus proved elusive, a committee called udayvahika was appointed. There were four voting techniques―open voting, secret ballot, mouth-to-ear whispers and the “evident system”, in which names of other voters were declared. There were seven types of courts as well, with the king heading the judiciary. Lichchhavis had presidents ( ganapati ), vice presidents ( upa ganapati ), army chiefs ( senapati ), ambassadors and other key heads of administration.
Inscriptions found in Tamil Nadu shed light on the rules governing these ancient republican societies. A slab discovered at the Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple at Thirunindravur has rules of the judiciary. Artefacts found at a temple at Mannur specify the criteria for selecting judges. Apparently, temples acted as social institutions and public meetings were held in their mandapas .
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Inscriptions dated to the rule of Chola king Parantaka-I have information on the criteria for electing members of different committees. Proficiency in Vedas and Vedangas was necessary, and the members were selected by lot ( kudavolai ). They held office for a fixed term and were not eligible for reelection, so that others could have the opportunity to serve.
As colonial administrator Charles Metcalfe wrote in 1830, Indian villages survived centuries of rulers and ruling systems. “The village communities are little republics,” he wrote. “They seem to last where nothing else lasts. Dynasty after dynasty tumbles down, revolution succeeds revolution… but the village community remains the same.”
Another example of democratic ideals in medieval India is the Anubhava Mantapa, established by 12th-century social reformer Basavanna in present-day Karnataka. The Anubhava Mantapa was a platform for people of diverse backgrounds to engage in open dialogue, share their experiences and ideas, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. The body was inclusive―there was no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour or gender.
Billed as an academy of mystics, saints and philosophers of the Lingayat faith, it still finds resonance in present-day Indian politics. The new international convention centre for G20 meetings at Pragati Maidan in Delhi was recently christened ‘Bharat Mandapam’. “The Anubhava Mantapa―often referred to as the first parliament of the world―represents a democratic platform for debates, discussions and expression of ideas,” said Modi while inaugurating the centre on July 26. “Today, the world acknowledges that India is the mother of democracy. From ancient inscriptions found in Uthiramerur, Tamil Nadu, to places like Vaishali, India’s vibrant democracy has been our pride for centuries.”
No reference to democracy in India can be complete without referring to the drafting of the Constitution. As many as 389 members spent more than 1,000 hours over 166 days―roughly, 149 million work hours―to draft the Constitution.
“A key feature of India has been the ability to involve individuals in the tasks of governance, irrespective of primordial identities based on family, language, caste, colour and religion,” said M. Rajivlochan in his essay in India: The Mother of Democracy . “This differed from the western notion of democracy that was predicated on a model of power-sharing between groups. In India, the individual was the centre of all such norms…. In 1928, when the Nehru report created first draft of the Constitution, it focused on individuals and not political parties. It deliberately avoided any reference to parties or partisan groupings. In free India, individual would remain the focus of all norms.”
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts has created a website on India as the mother of democracy. It highlights the egalitarian views of bhakti poets and mystics like Lal Ded, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srimanta Sankerdev, Guru Ravidas, Sant Dyaneshwar, Bulleh Shah, Tukaram and Poonthanam Nambudiri, the traditional councils of tribes in the northeast, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the “world’s oldest democracy” of Malana village in Himachal Pradesh, the tenures of rulers such as Ashoka, Akbar, Suheldev and Shivaji; and empires such as Vijayanagaram, where democratic ideas were practised.
The question is: how resonant are these ancient democratic traditions today? The answer, perhaps, lies in the warning that Ambedkar sounded. “A time may come,” he said, “when we may get so fed up with the vagaries of democracies that we may only want democracy for the people, and may not be bothered whether it was of or by the people.”
Clearly, ancient India tells us that there is more to democracy than mere elections.
- Independence Day Special 2023
Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet PDF Download – Released at G20 India Summit
Published by team sy on january 11, 2024 january 11, 2024.
Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet PDF: The Indian government has released two booklets providing an overview of the country’s democratic history. Titled “Bharat: The Mother of Democracy” and “Elections in India,” the publications underscore India’s ancient democratic traditions while outlining the evolution of its modern political system.
Notably, the “Bharat” booklet refers to the nation as “Bharat” rather than “India” throughout. It declares “Bharat is the official name of the country” on the first page. This phrasing aligns with a recent dinner invitation that called President Droupadi Murmu the “President of Bharat,” sparking backlash. However, the Constitution uses both “Bharat” and “India” interchangeably as official names.
By beginning with “Bharat,” the booklet emphasizes the country’s pre-colonial identity. It traces democratic principles in India back over 6,000 years, highlighting ancient Hindu epics, the Maurya Empire, the Vijayanagara Empire, and other eras as underpinnings of modern Indian democracy. The “Elections in India” booklet outlines the practical evolution of elections since independence in 1947.
The booklets have been published ahead of India’s hosting of the G20 summit. Their content underscores the government’s narrative of India as the world’s oldest democracy, with democratic values predating Western influence.
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Table of Contents
Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet PDF Download Links
The direct links to download the Bharat The Mother of Democracy PDF are provided below. Download the books in any of the languages mentioned.
Bharat Mother of Democracy Portal Launched
15th September 2023- International Day of Democracy
Note: There is a viral claim of the Magnificent Bharat Booklet PDF (digital copy) being distributed to G20 delegates. As per the website boomlive.in this information is Fake. The book “Magnificent Bharat” was published in August 2021, by an independent author, and has no relation to the recently held G20 summit.
Only two ebooks are available on the G20 website these are –
1. Bharat- The Mother of Democracy
2. Bharat -Mother of Democracy – Elections in India
Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet – Front Page
The front page (Page 1) showcases all the factors of a democracy. It highlights – Freedom, Equality, Acceptability, Harmoney, Service, Inclusivity.
Bharat is the official name of the country
Page 2 highlights a message from PM Narendra Modi and page 3 shows a timeline of Indian history from 6000 BCE to 2023. One important note is also mentioned on Page 3 of the Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet. It reads –
In Bharat that is India, the view or the will of the people in governance has been the central part of life since earliest. recorded history. According to the Indian ethos, democracy comprises the values of harmony, freedom of choice, freedom to hold multiple ideas,· acceptability, equality, governance for the welfare of the people; and inclusivity in a society. All of these allow its common citizens to lead a dignified life. Bharat is the official name of the country . It is mentioned in the Constitution as also. in the discussions of 1946-48.
Dancing Girl from Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation
Page 3 highlights the Archeological site of the 5000-year-old well-planned city of the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation . Page 4 shows The Girl from the Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation. She stands confident. Self-assured and looking at the world eye-to-eye. Independent. Liberated. On her body, she wears jewellery much like the adornments that are worn every day by women in Western India.
Time period: About 5000 years old. Height: 10.5 cm. Material – Bronze.
Public Participation in the Vedic Era
Page 6 highlights Public Participation in the Vedic Era, one of the most important features of a democracy. The page also states Rigved, Dasham Mandal, Sangyan Sukta 2-4, It says –
संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं सं वो मनांसि जानताम् । देवा भागं यथापूर्वे संजानाना उपासते।। समानौ मन्त्रः समितिः समानी समानं मनः सह चित्तमेषाम् । (ऋग्वेद, दशम मण्डल, संज्ञान सूक्त, 2-4)
The meaning of this Rigveda ‘Sukta’ (beautiful statement) is: “Come together, speak together; together let the thoughts agree. Common to all is the solemn utterance, common the assembly, common the thought along with the perception.”
Page 6 also says that “there are four Vedas – Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Samveda and Yajurveda – which together with other texts convey an entire civilisational value system incorporating political, societal and educational principles. In the Rigveda, the world’s oldest composition, and the Atharvaveda, the terms Sabha (assembly of elders), Samiti (assembly of common folk), & Sansad (Parliament), each a representative body, find frequent mention, terms used even today!”
Page 7 shows a graphic depicting “Public Participation in the Vedic Era”.
The Kind Chosen By His People
Page 8 shows a graphic depicting a Rajdarbar, where the king is sitting on the throne along with the queen.
Page 9 says “The Kind Chosen By His People”. it also mentioned that the “Governance for the welfare of the people was the central feature of all thought and action in India since time immemorial. Nothing epitomizes this better than the Ramayana, the great epic of India . When the ancient kingdom of Ayodhya needed a new king, the old King Dasharatha sought the approval of his council of ministers and people’s representatives. They unanimously confirmed Rama as the people’s choice after detailed consultations with all sections of society. The Ramayana is a living guide in India and also in many parts of the world. Ram-Rajya- the rule of Lord Rama – is the epitome of an ideal government. In Ram-Rajya, people live secure, prosperous lives knowing that their welfare is paramount to the ruler they have chosen.”
Uphold Dharma: The Right Way
Page 10 of Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet says “Democracy is about doing things right for the people. This is brought to life in the Mahabharata, the great epic of India. It covers in its sweep, ethics, morality, societal norms and governance. A notable section is the advice given by the dying patriarch Bhishma to his grand-nephew Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra on the canons of good governance. The essence of a king’s dharma is to secure his subjects’ prosperity and happiness. The Bhagavad Gita which comprises of 700/745 verses in the Mahabharata is one of the oldest instructions on duties and responsibilities of civilized beings.”
Page 11 shows a graphic highlighting Krishna teaching the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Collective Rule of the People – Loktantrik
Page 12 shows the railing from Sanchi, 2nd century BCE. The text says “On the call of Chedak the Mallas of Kushinara, set out to fight against Kunik Ajatashatru.
Text on page 13 says “Constantly involving people in governance and decision-making was the hallmark of the systems of governance practiced in India. Depending on local contexts, there evolved two systems of governance under Mahajanapada. There were 15 Kingships where the king ruled with the help of a council of ministers and 10 Ganatantra (state run by the people) or Republics, where the Ganapramukha (Head) was elected by the people. Various ancient texts of India – Ashtadhyayi, Mahavagga, Digha Nikaya, Acharangasutra, and Bhagvatisutra – highlight ‘Loktantrik’ (governance by elected representatives) institutions such as Gana (assembly), Puga (group), Nigama (corporation), and Janapada (realm). In the Licchavi Republic, 7707 Ganas came together to elect their Ganapramukha. They discussed and took decisions in the Santhagara- the central assembly of the republic.
Pluralism and Tolerance
Text on page 14 says “Jainism is one of the oldest belief systems in the world. Its prevalence in India is dated to as early as the 7th century BCE. Its key values involve an appreciation of plurality. Anekantavada is the word used for this. The idea that people can perceive only parts of the truth, that the whole truth has multiple attributes. Co-existence and tolerance, key principles of democracy, naturally flow from this pluralistic vision. In combination with non-violence, another important tenet, Jainism envisions a world of peaceful co-existence. It is a way of life practiced in India even today.”
Page 15 showcases the magnificent Gommateshwara statue, towering at 57 feet tall and situated atop Vindhyagiri Hill in Shravanbelagola, Karnataka. Sculpted from a single granite rock, it ranks among the tallest ancient monolithic statues globally.
This colossal Jain figure depicts Bahubali, who embodies the religion’s core tenets of nonviolence, renunciation of materialism, and peaceful coexistence. The serene splendour and sheer size of the Gommateshwara statue reflect these cherished ideals. Its construction on a hilltop further symbolizes Bahubali’s spiritual enlightenment through detachment from worldly pursuits.
For over a thousand years, the Gommateshwara statue has awed visitors with its architectural perfection and spiritual resonance. It remains an enduring testament to ancient craftsmanship and Jain philosophy. The statue continues to attract devotees and tourists fascinated by its heritage and sublime beauty.
Compassion and Equality
Page 16 shows Bauddha and Bauddha Sangha. Text on page 17 says – “In its working, the Bauddha Sangha (Collective) was the earliest example of democratic practices. Established by Gautama Buddha in the 5th century BCE, for those who wished to embrace monkhood and live a religious life, the Bauddha Sangha, has been the custodian of Buddhist doctrines and democratic traditions ever since. The Sangha encouraged open discussions, debates and deliberations. Buddhist Monks voted in elections to choose their leaders, to decide important questions, and to formulate their laws. Decisions were taken by majority. Voting could be through whispering in the ear or by secret ballot. The principles of Buddhism have continued to influence the spread of democratic ethos in India.
On page 17 only a Buddhist canon also showcased that describes norms and processes for the election of the leader of the Bauddha Sangha.
The People’s Leader
Early India had a culture of people’s participation in governance.
When threatened by anarchy, an election was called to choose a leader, the Mahasammatta (Great Elect). The election was conducted in the great hall of the people. The King was chosen by the whole people, ‘Vasettha’ (head), for their protection. He ruled in their name. The state was called Ganarajya, literally, People’s State.
Buddhism influenced a large number of rulers. The practices of democratic ethos in Buddhism got transferred to the kingdoms and ensured that democratic values were accepted.
The inscriptions advise that as long as a people met often and elected their leaders, they could expect not to decline, but to prosper.
The Kind Serves The People
Democracy at its heart is about putting citizens first. An ideal and a virtue talked about at length in one of the world’s first treatises on governance – Arthashastra expressed around 3rd Century BCE.
Authored by Kautilya, close confidante, and royal advisor to emperor Chandragupta Maurya, the Arthashastra says: “In the happiness of the people lies the happiness of the Ruler and in the welfare of people lies the welfare of the Ruler. There is nothing beneficial to the Ruler which pleases him alone, but to him, beneficial is that which pleases the people.”
This deep-rooted value of serving, not ruling, is a democratic ideal that has always defined India.
No Man is Superior to Another
An essential tenet of democracy is equality among people.
Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court in the 4th century observed: “Most of the states adopted a democratic form of governance.”
Diodorus Siculus, the Greek historian wrote: “Of several remarkable customs existing among the Indians, there is one which may be regarded as truly admirable: that no one among them, shall under any circumstances, be a slave to another. The equal right to liberty, which all possess shall be respected.”
Slavery in the world was abolished formally only around 150 years ago. No democracy can be complete where slavery was in existence. In India, it never took root.
Embedded democratic values in India ensured freedom.
People’s Welfare, Front and Centre
When every being can enjoy equal rights and respect protected by the law, a state can be said to embrace democracy. A kind of state that the Mauryan emperor Ashoka successfully established with his people-oriented governance. It began with a systematic election of ministers every five years.
After winning the war over Kalinga (in East India), an enlightened Ashoka renounced war. He dedicated his life to promote Dharma (the right way) and the wellbeing of his people.
Ashoka’s ideologies of peace, welfare and universal brotherhood are preserved in the form of his edicts across the Indian subcontinent even today.
The national emblem of India is from Ashoka’s capital. It serves as a constant reminder of democracy in India.
Serve to the First Order
Officials are vested with power in a democracy to serve the people.
The Chinese traveller Fa Hsien who made the difficult journey to India, recorded his observations in early 5th century of the respect given to the people. He noted the Rule of Law and public welfare works. He wrote: “Everywhere, in all parts of India, the kings took off their crowns out of respect, and offered the monks food with their own hands. The king didn’t sit on a chair in the presence of the headman.”
The foreigners who came centuries ago, attracted by India’s wealth, universities, and religious philosophies, were impressed by the culture of service to the people.
Respect for the other is a core value in India.
The Power to Choose and To Change
The ruler rules not by birth right or coercion but by bowing to the will of people. This democratic principle is seen throughout India’s history.
The Khalimpur Copperplate inscriptions talk of how King Gopala was elected by the people to replace an unfit ruler: “His son was the crest-jewel of the heads of rulers, the glorious Gopala, whom the elements of the state made take the hand of Fortune, to put an end to disorder and Matsya Nyaya – the law of the big fish eating the small one.”
From the 5th century to 1st millennium BCE, There are numerous historical references of the people choosing their King. Rudradaman I, King Kharevala and even the pillar of Samudragupta of India’s golden Gupta era, at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, mentions similar principles.
Guilds and Democratic Administration
In a democracy, the people have the right to elect and hold accountable those who administer them.
Across India, this principle often manifested itself as a multi-layered system comprising merchant-guilds (Shreni Sangha), town administration (Nigam), and elected administrative officers like Jethaka (Chief) and Sreshthi (Head of an association) governing towns and villages.
The Vaillabhattasvamin Temple Inscription describes how Sri-Gopagiri, Gwalior of today, was ruled by the Kottapala (chief of the Fort), Sri Bhojadeva Alla, and the commander of the fort, Tattaka. The city was administered by Vavviyaka, the merchant, and Ichchhuvaka, the trader with the support of the members of the Board.
Participation of People, Inscribed
Deep in South India, in the little town of Uthiramerur, the inscriptions on the walls of a temple from a thousand years ago, made by a ruler, Parantaka Chola I, stand testimony to the practice of democratic elections and local self-governance.
These inscriptions describe the eligibility for selecting candidates – from age and income requirements to qualifications; the method to carry out fair elections – from writing the name on a kudav ollai (palm leaf), to putting it into an earthen pot tied with a cloth, the ballot box. From picking of the palm leaf by a young child for verification. Thus candidates were selected to manage the village’s affairs.
Democratic-Spiritual-Social Ethos
“एकम् सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति” (Rigveda 1/164/46) Ekam Sad Vipra Bahudha Vadanti “The Supreme Reality is One, the sages call Him by various names.” The Ancient Indian scripture, Rigveda
Equality is the soul of democracy. Philosophers, sants and poets across India recognised this and preached its importance over centuries.
Here are a few examples:
All are equal in the eyes of God. Swami Ramanujacharya
Consider everyone equal to attain inner and outer purity. Sant Basavanna
Those who look upon all with equality, recognise Rama in each soul, and sing the praises of Hari, obtain the most exalted and acclaimed status. Guru Nanak Dev
There is no difference between me and you just like water and waves. Sant Ravidas
The spiritual light that shines within me is in fact everywhere. Poetess Lal Ded
Devotion is above caste, creed and knowledge of the scriptures. Srimant Sankardev
The Power of Participation
‘Sarv-sammati’ or ‘consent of the people’ is the foundation of democracy in any state.
Vijayanagar in south India is the finest example of responsive government, democratic ethos and trade linkages across the world. Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest king of this empire. He believed in the power of participatory governance. He ruled with great efficiency with the consent of his Amarnayakas (Governors) and their representatives.
Encouraging self-governance, Krishnadeva Raya divided his empire into mandalams (provinces), nadus (districts) and sthlas (sub-districts). The grama (village) was the basic unit of political organisation.
Apart from the larger assembly of Amarnayakas, he also made a smaller council of experts who advised him on most administrative decisions.
Vijayanagar was an example of a state that worked for the benefit of the people.
The Understanding Monarch
Good administration should embrace everyone’s welfare, regardless of religion. That was the kind of democracy the 3rd Mughal Padishah Akbar practiced.
Akbar introduced the doctrine of “Sulh-i-Kul” i.e. universal peace, as a tool against religious discrimination.
To create a harmonious society, he propounded a new syncretic religion known as “Din-i-Ilahi” or Divine Faith. He also established the ‘Ibadat Khana’ (House of Worship) where wise men from different sects met and debated.
A group of nine wise people, known as Navaratna, served as his counsellors, while implementing his pro-people schemes.
Akbar’s democratic thinking was unusual and way ahead of its time.
Democratic Legacy of a Legend
In a Democracy, the representatives are aware of their duties and the people enjoy equal rights. A proponent of such governance was Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the great Maratha Empire in India.
On his coronation, he appointed Ashta-Pradhan or eight ministers, who represented his governance through decentralization. He stated clearly that even the King could not overrule their counsel.
He issued an Agya Patra (diktat on paper) which outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Ashtha-Pradhan who were Sumantra (Minister), Pandit (Priest), Mantri (Minister), Pradhana (Prime Minister), Sachiva (Secretary), Amatya (Minister), Pradvivak (Chief Justice) and Pratinidhi (King’s representative).
Chhatrapati Shivaji’s legacy of lokatantra or governance by people was taken forward by his successors.
Democracy at the Grassroots
Public participation is the cornerstone of democracy. Nothing exemplifies this better than the local self-governance systems that have thrived in India for thousands of years. Governing bodies like the Gram Sabha (village assembly), Gram Panchayat (village council), Nagar Nigam (town council), and Parishad (council) have played key roles in enabling local communities to manage their affairs.
Such systems were observed and documented by the British in the 19th century.
Various systems of local governance are continuing unchanged. Notable examples are Malana village in Northern India, the Santhaal and Gond communities in Central India, and the Kollam community in Southern India.
Several communities and groups in the North Eastern states have preserved their traditional self-governance practices to this day.
Local self-governance systems are storehouses of democratic values in India.
We The People
The Constitution of India outlines a modern, democratic Republic, while retaining aspects of past democratic models from our rich history.
It was created by the Indian Constituent Assembly, comprising 389 members from diverse backgrounds, including 15 women representatives, with Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
It establishes the three pillars of governance – the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive – defining their powers, responsibilities and relationships. All citizens are considered equal; enjoying equal rights, protection and universal adult suffrage.
India’s Constitution contains numerous Articles and Schedules, and has been amended many times since its adoption, in consonance with changing needs and times.
The Constitution of India is an organic and contemporary document, consistently evolving to resonate with the pulse of the people.
Embracing One and All
For a democracy to function, it must truly be inclusive. Here, India’s Constitution leads the way,
It establishes a bicameral Parliamentary system, with a Lok Sabha (Lower House) and a Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
The President is the Head of State. The Executive Powers are exercised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The Constitution provides for an independent Judiciary, with the Supreme Court at the apex and each state having its High Court.
India follows a three-tier system of governance; the Union, the States and the Local – Self Government.
A democracy designed by the people for the most diverse country on Earth.
Peaceful Transfers of Power
Free India is a pillar of global democracy.
India never had any doubt about democracy and its practices, that involved everyone irrespective of wealth, education, gender or creed.
Since independence, India has witnessed peaceful transfers of power through 17 national elections, over 400 state elections and over a million elections to local self-governments. Elections happened, and keep happening, like clockwork. The Election Commission of India reports directly to the President. It is a fiercely independent body.
From the village to the national parliament, democracy thrives in India. But then, the democratic ethos has been a part of the people for millennia.
A Festival of Democracy
In India, democracy is a celebration. Much like the festivals the country is famous for.
The latest national elections of 2019 were conducted across deserts, forests, mountains, remote villages and megacities. No area, howsoever remote, was left out of the elections.
Nearly one million polling booths were set up to ensure that all citizens had easy access to vote. Care was taken to site the polling stations in such a manner that no voter had to walk more than a kilometer to reach the booth for casting their vote.
India has deployed its own technologies, like the Electronic Voting Machine since the mid-1990s. With this, the results of the world’s largest election are counted without any errors in just one day.
The Election Commission of India trains over 40 countries on how to run elections. India thus spreads democratic values worldwide.
India’s National Elections of 2019
Bharat The Mother of Democracy Booklet – Back Cover
Reference – https://ebook.g20.org/ebook/bharatmod/index.html
A booklet that explains the history and evolution of democracy in India.
The booklet is authored by a team of experts from the Indian government.
The booklet highlights the importance of democracy in India, the challenges faced by the Indian democracy, and the way forward.
The booklet is available online on G20 website.
The booklet will help you understand the history and evolution of democracy in India, the challenges faced by the Indian democracy, and the way forward. It will also help you appreciate the importance of democracy in India.
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