The political system and democratic administrative system in ancient India existed in different forms in different periods. It can be described as follows : Political System during Sindhu Civilization – No clear information of the political system of this civilization is available.

On the basis of the remains found in the excavation it can be said that the life of the people and the rule was peaceful. Due to their peaceful life they had trading relations with other countries. The Vedic Period – During the Vedic age, there was well – ordered political system.

We find the record of Sabha and Samiti both in the Rigveda and the Atharva Veda. These political organistions in those days put a check on the absolute powers of the king. Samiti was a body of the representatives of the people. Sabha was the body of experienced, senior and prestigious people.

The Epic Age-During this period, the political system had grown very strong. The post of the king was dynastic but the Vedic principles too had a say in determining the king. The king was bound to religion, duty and to the cause of the people. During the age of Mahabharata, there were 18 departments in the council of ministers. Each department was called a “Tirth”.

The Mahajanapada Age – The greatest political achievement of this age was the strong development of both monarchy and democracy. During the Rigveda period the ‘Jan’ had no permanent geographical base. In the post vedic period, the Jans began to settle down so they began to be called Janapadas.

By the Buddha period, the Janapadas had begun to be fully developed. The weaker states began to be merged with stronger states and the Janapada took the shape of Mahajanapadas.