द इण्डियन स्ट्रगल / भारतीय स्वाधीनता संग्राम (नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस - ऐतिहासिक विश्लेषण)

12 THE INDIAN STRUGGLE This undisturbed continuity is the most significant feature of Indian history and it incidentally explains the vitality of the people and of their culture and civilisation. The latest archæo- 'logical excavations at Mohenjodaro and Harappa in North- Western India prove unmistakably that India had reached a high level of civilisation as early as 3000 B.C. if not earlier. This was probably before the Aryan conquest of India. It is too early to say what light these excavations throw on con- temporary political history, but since the Aryan conquest of India, more facts and historical materials are available. In the earliest Vedic literature there is reference to non-mon- archical forms of government. Where these existed, tribal democracy prevailed. In those days, Grāma (or village) was the smallest and Jana (or tribe) was the highest social and political organisation among the Vedic communities.¹ In the later Epic literature, the Mahabharata for example, there is clear reference to republican forms of government.² There is also evidence that since the earliest times popular assemblies used to be held in connection with public administration. Throughout the Vedic literature one finds reference to two kinds of assembly—the Sabhā and the Samiti (also called Samgati or Samgrāma). The ‘Sabhā’ has been interpreted to mean the advisory council of the selected few, while ‘Samiti’ has been interpreted as a gathering of the entire community. The ‘Samiti’ met on important occasions like royal coronations, times of war or national calamity, etc.³ In the next stage of political development one notices a distinct tendency towards the growth of monarchical power following the expansion of Aryan influence and domination in India. At this time there would be frequent wars between the independent states flourishing in Northern India, with a view to obtaining supremacy. The issue of these wars would be not political annexation but acceptance of the overlordship of the victor by the vanquished parties. The victorious king ¹ Development of Hindu Polity and Political Theories by Narayan Chandra Bandyopadhyaya, p. 60, published by Chuckerverty Chatterjee & Co. Ltd. 15 College Square, Calcutta. ² K. P. Jayaswal, Republics in the Mahabharata, (J. O. and B. Res. Soc. Vol. 1. pp. 173-8.) ³ Development of Hindu Polity and Political Theories by Narayan Chandra Banyopadhyaya, pp. 115-118.