Gaṇa sangha

Gana-Sangha^[1] (Sanskrit: गणसङ्घ, lit. equal assembly) or Gana-Rajya^[2] (Sanskrit: गणराज्य, lit. equal government), refers to a type of republic or oligarchy in eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.

The gana sanghas were generally found on the periphery of the Indian kingdoms, and tended to occupy the higher ground.^[1]

Their general make-up was either that of a single clan (e.g. Shakya), or a confederacy of clans (e.g. Koli).

References

1. Thapar, Romila (2002). "Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300". Google Books. University of California. pp. 146–150. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
2. Majumdar, Asoke Kumar (1977), Concise History of Ancient India: Political theory, administration and economic life, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, p. 140

Further reading

• Gadkari, Jayant (1 January 1996), Society and Religion: From Rugveda to Puranas, Popular Prakashan, pp. 100–, ISBN 978-81-7154-743-2
• Handa, O. C. (2004), Naga Cults and Traditions in the Western Himalaya, Indus Publishing, pp. 63–64, ISBN 978-81-7387-161-0