Question 1 · 10 marks · 165 words written
Opening
India, being the largest democracy, derives its democratic roots from ancient practices.
India's roots of democracy in civilizational ethos seen through:-
Body
Consultation traditions Eg: Sabhas, Samitis and Vidhatas of Vedic period
Participation in public affairs by all sections - Eg: Gargi, Lopamudra as women who engaged in discussions
Prevalence of elections in primitive forms - Inscription in Tamil Nadu for village administration
Deriving religious democratic practices - Eg: Buddhist sanghas having voting on issues using wooden salakas.
Democratic monarchy Egs Kautilya's Arthashastra - king as "constitutional slave"
Presence of checks & balances - Egs Amatyas, other ministers to help king.
No spoils, rather merit promotion Egs Mughal empire - not following primogeniture - mightiest person won.
Focus on welfare -
Close
Egs Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta ruler) promoted welfare of subjects
Yet, it cannot be said as completely derived from ancient traditions which were monarchical. Still, they are implied from democratic traditions which sought place in constitutional ideal of democracy.