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R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994

Vedic Political Institutions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

'Sabha' of Vedic-era-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Early Vedic society was semi-democratic, where the tribal chief (Rajan) was advised by popular assemblies.

Explanation The Rig Veda describes the Sabha as an assembly of elders or elites (Sujata) that performed judicial and administrative functions, essentially acting as a council.

Logical Breakup
Council of Ministers/Elders (C): The most accurate functional description. It was a smaller, more exclusive body than the Samiti.
Samiti (D): The larger folk assembly representing the entire tribe (Vis).

Active Recall

Question

How did the role of the Sabha change in the later Vedic period?

Answer

As kings became more powerful, the Sabha came under the control of chiefs and Brahmanas, losing its early democratic character.

Core Insight

The existence of the Sabha and Samiti proves that monarchy in early India was not absolute but limited by organized communal will.

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