Most Ancient Aryan Society

Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan

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( 201 ) to appease the discontent of his subjects, allowed them this small concession to elect one of them as his equal in status on account of the exigencies of war. Divodāsa was the non-Deva common leader of the Aryan fighting Dāsas, Daśyus and Asuras in Iran, Arachosia and Gedrosia, and also probably in Bhārata ; and he was the first elected leader (Rājan) of the Brahmāryans. But his authority was limited by the powers of Gaņapatis. He was, all the same, first Gaņa-rājāio ; the curious blending of two opposite elements in political history; the institutions of Autocracy and Republicanism.
This Rājan or Gana-rājā was elected in the Samiti. We know pre-Brabmāryan Parişada of the Asuras. Parişada
was the elected assembly of Pañchajanāh Samiti
and other Bhāratīya republics. Parişada was known as Samiti in Atharvanic times. We know Samiti of the Pāñchāla or Košala republic which was constituted of Philosophers and statesmen. Pravāhaņa Jaivali ; supreme leader of Kośala republic, is only a Rājanya-bandhu." Rgvedic Brahmāryan had known the Parişada of their Pañchajanāh and other republican enemies. When they advanced towards east and came in contact with other republics of eastern Bhārata, they came in contact with the Samiti institution of their adversaries whom they defeated in battle or won their loyalties by conversions. The institution of Samiti is referred in Tenth Maņdal of Rgveda and in Atharvaveda, both of them belonging to Circa 800 B, C. Eastern Bhārata had great and vast republics flourishing in this age. The institution of Samiti may have been borrowed by the Brahmāryans in that age.
It does not appear probable that Samiti comprised all the people and that they exercised their franchise. The