On this International Day of Democracy, I am proud to share the rich legacy of democracy that India carries, which can serve as a valuable lesson for leadership practice for our present and future generations.
“Long before the concept of democracy became formalised in Western societies, India was a land where democratic principles were deeply embedded in the fabric of governance.”
India’s history is woven by a rich tapestry of threads comprising diverse cultures, profound philosophies, and remarkable contributions to human civilisation. Among these threads is India’s ancient democratic traditions. Long before the concept of democracy became formalised in Western societies, India was a land where democratic principles were deeply embedded in the fabric of governance. Today, we are not only the largest democracy in the world, but also the oldest one with enduring symbols of a society that valued collective decision-making, fairness, and the voices of its people.
The Foundations of Democratic Leadership in Ancient India
As early as the Vedic period, around 1500 BCE, the Sabha and Samiti played central roles in governance (Thapar, 2004). The Sabha was a council of elders, often composed of respected individuals chosen for their wisdom and experience. The Samiti, on the other hand, was a more inclusive assembly that allowed for broader participation by the community members. Together, these institutions formed the backbone of governance, ensuring that key decisions, that impacted the society, were made by collective consensus (Majumdar, 2022 updated).
The emphasis on dialogue and consensus stood out from very early times. The leaders who emerged from these assemblies were chosen on merit, based on their knowledge and wisdom, and ability to mediate, guide, and unite. This gives us a view of what leadership meant – the practice of facilitating discussions and arriving at decisions that reflected the collective wisdom of the community (Sen, 2006). Negating traditional Western notions of leadership, often associated with autocracy and power, the model of leadership drawn from ancient India was grounded on inclusivity and collective responsibility. This is, today, more relevant than ever before.
The Republics of Ancient India: An Example of Participatory Governance
The period between 600 BCE and 400 BCE encountered the rise of the Mahajanapadas, large kingdoms or republics that flourished across Northern India (Thapar, 2004). Among these, the Vajjis, Mallas, and Sakyas stand out as shining examples of republican governance, where rulers were chosen by election rather than hereditary succession. The community of residents of the land would elect councils of representatives to govern these republics or Ganasanghas. Collective decision-making, pinned on debate and discussion, was the pillar of governance.
The Vajji confederacy, in particular, is noted for its democratic traditions (Sharma, 2023). The Buddhist text, Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta, refers to the Vajjis as a model republic with a strong sense of community governance. The text praises the Vajjis for their democratic practices which included regular assemblies, consensus-based decision-making, and equitable representation of people. Sharma (2023) draws from the Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta to cite a conversation between Buddha and his cousin and disciple, Ananda, where Buddha laid down seven conditions of welfare that the Vajjis 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.
Another fascinating anecdote is the election of the head of the Sakya clan. The Sakyas practiced a form of democracy where the leader, or Raja, was elected by the assembly of elders (Ling, 1973). The election involved a process of intense debate and discussion ensuring that the leader was chosen based on the people’s will, and was not a mere a formality.
Panchayats: The Grassroots of Indian Democracy
The Panchayat system forms the base of modern Indian democracy. However, it is important to note that its roots date back thousands of years. The term Panchayat comes from the word panch, meaning five, referring to a council of five wise elders chosen by the community. The system was inherently democratic, as the community elected the members of the Panchayat, who were accountable to the people. The Panchayat played a central role in governance and everyday life of the people, making important decisions, administering justice, and resolving disputes (Singh, 2016).
One of the most compelling examples of the democratic spirit at the grassroots level comes from the village of Lothal in the Indus Valley Civilisation, around 2500 BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests that the city was governed by a council that operated similarly to a Panchayat, with elected representatives managing the affairs of the community (Naqvi, 1993).
The Gupta Empire: A Golden Age of Decentralised Administration
The Gupta Empire, which flourished between the 4th and 6th centuries CE, is often hailed as the ‘Golden Age’ in India. During this period, there were not only significant advancements in art, science, and literature, but also in the principles of democratic governance and the lived experience of people. It was a period marked by a high degree of administrative decentralisation and local self-governance. The village councils or Sabhas played a crucial role in the administration of justice and local governance. These councils were composed of local landowners and merchants who were elected by the community, and they operated autonomously, making decisions that directly impacted the daily lives of the people.
An inscription from the reign of King Kumaragupta provides a vivid example of this system in action. It describes how the local council of a village in present-day Tamil Nadu was empowered to collect taxes, manage public works, and even resolve legal disputes (Kosambi, 1965). The council was held responsible for fair practice and service to the community. These are invaluable anecdotes that demonstrate how leadership in ancient India was built on the foundations of fairness, transparency and democratic ethos.
The Relevance of Ancient Indian Democratic Principles to Contemporary Leadership
“The democratic traditions of ancient India offer a profound and enduring blueprint for leadership in practice.”
Today, we talk of leadership as practice, rather than as authority, that can hold an environment of creative tension and collective agency (Chowdhury, 2024). The democratic traditions of ancient India offer a profound and enduring blueprint for leadership in practice. Leadership throughout the ages in our great civilisation was not about amassing power or enforcing authority but about serving the community with humility, empathy, and a deep commitment to justice. The leaders of ancient India were not averse to disagreement and dissent. They, rather, embraced it and provided the space for diverse opinions and collective decision-making, demonstrating a sense of responsibility towards their people. These are the qualities that define great leadership, and they remain as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
Current times have witnessed grave challenges with unwanted conflict amongst our people at several levels. At such moments, we need to draw from our own legacy of democratic principles, which offer an alternative vision of leadership for stewardship for a better future for humanity. By embracing these principles, contemporary leaders can foster environments where all voices are valued, decisions are made with the collective good in mind, and governance is truly by the people and for the people.
“As we look to the future, the timeless principles from ancient India offer a powerful guide for building a world where leadership is defined not by authority but by service, where governance is inclusive and participatory, and where the voices of all citizens are heard and respected.”
This is the true essence of leadership that the world needs.
India is, truly, the cradle of democracy. The leadership lessons embedded in our legacy are not history but they have the power to shape our present and our future.
References and further readings:
Chowdhury, R. (2024). Holistic Flexibility for Systems Thinking and Practice. Routledge.
Gulati. P. (2924). Janapadas and Mahajanapadas. Jawaharlal Nehru University.
https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/64791/1/Unit13.pdf
Kosambi, D.D. (1965). The Culture and Civilisation of Ancient India in Historical Outline. Routledge.
Ling, T. (1973). The Buddha: Buddhist Civilisation in India and Ceylon. Temple Smith.
Majumdar, R.C. (2022 updated). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.
Naqvi, S. A. (1993). The Indus Valley civilization: cradle of democracy?
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000093440
Thapar, R. (2004). Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. University of California Press.
Sharma, P. (2023). The fascinating history of India’s ancient democracies. The Week.
https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2023/08/12/is-india-the-mother-of-democracy.html
Sen, A. (2005). The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity. Penguin Books.
Singh, U. (2016). The Idea of Ancient India: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Archaeology. Sage Publications.
