Janapadas and Republics
5.1 ‘Jana’ and Janapadas
Concept of ‘Jana’
- Definition: In Vedic texts, ‘Jana’ referred to a group of people united by a common kinship structure.
- Settlement: Their settlement was called a ‘Grama’ (village).
- Cluster of Gramas: A group of gramas belonging to the same jana was identified by the name of that jana.
- Initial Scope: Initially, a jana included only an extended family (kul), its settlement (grama), and cattle pen (goshtha-gotra-gaulwada).
- Lack of Territoriality: Early janas did not have defined geographic boundaries, as the concept of territoriality was not yet developed.
Evolution to Janapadas
- Migration: Vedic people migrated from the Saptasindhu region to the Ganga delta, leading to settlements in new regions.
- Territorial Awareness: As janas settled, the concept of jana began to incorporate territoriality, resulting in defined geographic boundaries.
- Administrative Structures: The sense of territoriality led to the formation of informal local administrative structures, giving rise to independent Janapadas.
- Janapada Definition: A region occupied by a jana was called a Janapada, which later developed into more formal independent states.
- Not Universal: Not all Janapadas evolved into independent states, but they were the first well-established states in ancient India.
5.2 Janapada
Historical References
First Mention: The term ‘Janapada’ appears in the Brahmana texts and is frequently used in Vedic literature, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Jain and Buddhist texts.
Geographic Division: Ancient Indian literature divides the subcontinent into five regions:
- Praachya: East
- Praatichya: West
- Udichya: North
- Dakshina: South
- Madhyadesha: Central region
Geographic Scope: This division primarily focuses on regions north of the Vindhya ranges. Later, Puranic texts include southern regions like Dakshinapatha and Aparanta (Konkan coastal region).
5.2.1 Territoriality and Autonomous Functioning
Key Factors: The sense of territoriality and awareness of autonomy were crucial for the formation of Janapadas.
Administrative Continuity: The administrative system resembled that of Vedic janas, with two key assemblies:
- Sabha: A council of elders.
- Samiti: A general assembly.
Role of Rajan: The chief of the Janapada, called ‘Rajan’, was elected or removed by the Sabha and Samiti.
Flexibility: Administrative objectives, policies, and social norms were adaptable to changing socio-geographic conditions.
Social Changes: Over generations, social organization shifted from kinship-based to include outsiders, emphasizing immediate family and family-based rituals.
Warrior Class: The rise of a trained warrior class (Janapadin, as mentioned in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi) facilitated the transition to complex state organizations.
5.2.2 Expansion and Development of Janapadas
Janapadas expanded and developed in three primary ways:
Uniting Generations of a Single Kula:
- Example: Janapadas like Matsya, Chedi, Gandhara, Kashi, and Kosala formed by uniting generations of a single family (kula).
Union of Multiple Kulas:
- Example: Panchala Janapada, formed by the union of five janas (Krivi, Turvasha, Keshi, Shrinajaya, Somaka, as per historian Hemchandra Raychaudhuri).
- Kuru-Panchala: Later, Kurus and Panchalas merged, and the Bharata clan (from Rigveda) integrated with the Kurus, becoming their ancestors.
Conquest:
- More powerful Janapadas conquered weaker ones, leading to territorial expansion.
Notable Janapadas (Literary Mentions)
- Praachya: Anga, Magadh (Atharvaveda), Kikata (Rigveda, Atharvaveda), Pundra (Mahabharata).
- Praatichya: Anu, Alin, Bhalan, Druhyu, Parashu, Pakhta, Puru, Turvasha, Yadu, Gandhara (Rigveda, Atharvaveda), Shalva (Mahabharata).
- Udichya: Krivi, Vaikarna (Rigveda), Balhik (Atharvaveda).
- Dakshina: Andhra (Mahabharata), Pulinda (Ashoka’s edicts).
- Madhyadesha: Aja, Chedi, Bharata, Matsya, Shigru, Trutsu, Ushinara, Yakshu, Kuru, Shrinjaya (Rigveda, Atharvaveda).
5.3 Federation of States (Ganarajya)
Types of States
- Monarchic States: Most Janapadas were monarchies, as indicated in Later Vedic, Jain, and Buddhist literature.
- Oligarchic States: Some Janapadas were oligarchies, referred to as ‘Ganasangha’ or ‘Sangharajya’ (republics).
- State Terms: Ancient texts mention terms like Rajya, Svaarajya, Bhaujya, Vairajya, Maharajya, Saamrajya, and Parmeshthya, though their exact nature is unclear.
- Vairajya Example: Uttar Kuru and Uttar Madra were Vairajya states, ruled collectively by Janapada members rather than a monarch.
Ganasangha and Sangharajya
- Gana: A ruling class of members with equal social status.
- Sangha: A state formed by the union of multiple kulas or Janapadas.
- Emergence: By the 6th century B.C.E., many Ganasanghas had formed.
Types of Ganasanghas
Ganarajya of a Single Kula:
- Example: Malava, Shibi.
Ganarajya of Multiple Kulas:
- Example: Vajji Ganasangha, comprising eight kulas (Vajji, Lichchhavi, Dnyatruk, Videha, with Lichchhavi being the most influential).
Sangharajya of Multiple Ganarajyas:
- Example: Yaudheya-Kshudrak Sangh.
Administrative Systems of Ganasanghas
Buddhist texts provide insights into the administrative systems of Ganasanghas, which varied but can be categorized as:
Democratic States:
- Structure: Ganasanghas were divided into regional zones called ‘Khanda’, each represented by elected individuals.
- Functioning: Elected representatives, called ‘Ganamukhya’, formed the ‘Ganaparishada’ (assembly), the highest decision-making authority.
- Key Functionaries:
- Ganapramukha (Adhyaksha/Raja): Presided over the administration.
- Uparaja (Upadhyaksha): Deputy chief.
- Senapati: Military commander.
- Bhandagarika (Koshadhyaksha): Treasurer.
- Examples: Democratic Ganasanghas existed in Punjab and Sindh during Alexander’s invasion.
Oligarchic States:
- Structure: Power was held by an elite class, termed ‘Rajshabdopajivi’ by Panini and Kautilya.
- Examples: Vajji, Andhaka, Vrishni, Yaudheya (Panini); Vrijji, Madrak, Kuru, Panchala (Kautilya).
- Region: More prevalent in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Additional Types of Ganasanghas
Ayudhajivi Sangh: Comprising skilled warriors whose livelihood was warfare (e.g., Yaudheya, Malava, Kshudraka, Trigartas).
Varta-Shastropajivi Sangh: People engaged in trade, commerce, agriculture, animal husbandry, and warfare (e.g., Kamboj, Surashtra).
Historical Context
- Connection to Gautama Buddha: Ganasanghas like Vajji, Shakya, Lichchhavi, and Malla were associated with Buddha’s life. Buddha was born in the Shakya family, and his father, Shuddhodan, was an elected president (Rajan) of the Shakya Ganaparishada.
- Mahajanapadas: By the 8th century B.C.E., powerful Janapadas evolved into Mahajanapadas, which are discussed in the next chapter.
Key Concepts Explained
Ganarajya and Sangharajya:
- Ganarajya: A state ruled collectively by members of a single kula or multiple kulas (e.g., Malava, Vajji).
- Sangharajya: A federation formed by multiple Ganarajyas (e.g., Yaudheya-Kshudrak Sangh).
Varta-Shastropajivi Ganasangh:
- States where people earned their livelihood through trade, commerce, agriculture, animal husbandry, and warfare (e.g., Kamboj, Surashtra).
Jana and Janapada:
- Jana: A group of people united by kinship, initially without territorial boundaries.
- Janapada: A region occupied by a jana, later developing into a state with defined boundaries and administrative structures.
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