Governance: Gift of Indian Civilization to

World

It is well known that we had borrowed different part of our

Constitution from constitution of various countries. This fact
seems true in modern history era but actually when we see
from historical perspective, we find that concept of
governance was well established in ancient India and it
passed through different eras of our civilization. During this
journey concept of governance got refined that leading to
tag of Best Governance System of that time.

Harappan civilization flourished at the bank of river Indus,

between 3250-1300 B.C divided in three phase of
development. The stone-age had the system of political
governance but due to lack of supporting historical
documents no well defined set up could be found. Harappan
civilization had given birth to systematic political governance
but it was also in crude form. Harappan Society has been
divided into three sections like elite, middle and weak class.
By seeing the urbanization level of this civilization we can
interpret about the governance system. Their world famous
town planning could not be possible without well-defined set
up of governance.

After Harappan civilization, Vedic civilization was flourishing

period for systematic governance. Rig Vedic society
comprised four Varans , namely Brahamana, Kshatriya,
Vaisya and Sudra. In Rig Vedic days, there was freedom and
mobility for the adoption of any profession; today this
freedom of profession is fundamental right as per our
constitution. It contradicts the idea that we have borrowed
fundamental rights from US constitution. Child marriage was
not vogue and widow could also marry that contradicts the
claim of British reformers for propounding the concept of ban
on child marriage and sati pratha. Right to property was also
known in moveable and immovable things. The cow was
deemed as aghnya(not to be killed) that same is mentioned
in Directive principles of our constitution.

Centre of civilization now shifted from Saraswati to Ganga

River in the starting of Later Vedic civilization. Side by side
growth of larger states led towards the concept of
monarchial form of political governance but certain
democratic elements also found like people rights to
choosing their king, kings dependence on the council of his
ministers and assemblies of people (Sabha) with expert in
different domains that is similar to present Rajya sabha for
check upon kings absolutism. The Sabha functioned as
oldest form of parliament disposal of public business by
debate and discussion. The administrative machinery was
highly organized and became an efficient instrument of
governance. Legal governance was also observed in this era
in refined form like Sabha seems to have functioned as court
of justice and petty offences were left to village judges
similar to present Gram Nyalya.

In later Vedic period we start hearing of many Mahajanpadas

. Panini in 6th century B.C mentioned confederation of 22
Mahajanpadas mainly in the Ganga basin. In this period the
concept of republic state emerged.
Jainism and Buddhism gave the idea of spreading peace to
the world that are enshrined in the foreign policy of India as
per constitution since independence.

After some minor dynasties, Mauryan Empire was the first

and one of the greatest empires established on Indian soil.
The Arthashastra is the first detailed book on governance
and other various aspects of state administration. Pillar
Edict-II of Great Ashoka gave the idea of Moral Law or an
Ethical Order that is base for any governance syatem. He
also gave the well-defined concept of wild life protection,
irrigation system and education. The King was the head of
state and had judicial, legislative and executive powers. The
king issued what were known as sasana similar to present
ordinance power of President. The king assisted by
Mantriparishad similar to cabinet of present system.
Different officers were deputed for various function like
Rajjukas (similar to revenue officers) &Pradeshikas(similar to
IAS). Concept of federalism is a gift from this empire, State
divided into provinces were subdivided into district.
Panchayati Raj institution was also well established as
gramika (Village headmen). Municipal Corporation like
arrangement was in vogue for city administration as city
council of 30 members, were divided into 6 boards of 5
members each for looking after various task like birth
registration, Industrial produce, tax collection, public welfare
etc.
After this period the era of Gupta and Harsha had impacted
Indian governance most. This period was characterized by
remarkable growth of local self-governing institutions such as
village committees and district committees. This type of
village administration still continues. Two new class of
officers were introduced, Sandhivigrahika (Minister of Peace
and war similar to Foreign Minister) and Kumaramatyas
(similar to secretary to Ministry). This period was a landmark
in the history of governance of law and justice and first time
clear division observed between civil and criminal law.

All aforesaid facts about the historical growth of governance

system indicate that India was well advanced in field of
administration and law. In ancient days Indian economy had
big share in the world trade, traders from different part of
world visited to gain huge economic benefits. These traders
not only earned huge trade margin but they also absorbed
the social structure concept of our country and spread it to
different parts of world. During last phase of modern history
era India had dominion status under British Raj. The
Constituent assembly formed for drafting the constitution for
independence India also took reference from Govt. Of India
Act 1935 and available various document of different
countries. All these laws and governance concepts had
reached European countries from India, but in modern era
we accepted re-engineered concepts of governance of these
countries. In the endnote, we can proudly say that concept
of governance is the best gift to world society from Indian
civilization.

Gaurav Tyagi (12331)

Phase III Operation