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Source: Indian Express

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at Gangaikonda Cholapuram on July 27, 2025, emphasized India's indigenous democratic traditions that predate the Magna Carta.

Indian Democracy: An Ancient Legacy

• The Magna Carta (1215) was a landmark in European democracy, curbing absolute monarchy and granting certain rights to people.
  
  
• India’s democratic roots are much older, dating back to the 5th century BCE, with credible historical evidence.
  

Early Democratic Practices in India

• Democracy in ancient India existed in villages, small communities, and tribal societies, where collective decision-making was common.
  
  
• People used discussion and consensus to arrive at decisions, showcasing participatory governance.

Kautilya and the Arthashastra

• In his treatise Arthashastra, Kautilya described the role of ‘Samghas’ (local unions).
  
  
• He emphasized that a state functions better when governed through decentralised institutions.
  
  
• These samghas acted like self-governing bodies, similar to modern Panchayati Raj institutions.

• Ancient Indian systems highlight a strong tradition of local self-governance.
  
  
• The concept of grassroots democracy, prevalent in today’s governance model, has its origins in India’s ancient political thought.
  
  
• This legacy reinforces that democratic values are deeply embedded in Indian civilisation, not just borrowed from the West.
  

The Chola Era: A Way for Modern Democracy

Uthiramerur Inscription: Evidence of Ancient Democracy

• The Uthiramerur inscription (around 920 AD) in the Vaikuntaperumal Temple (Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu) provides a detailed account of local self-governance under the Chola dynasty during the rule of Parantaka Chola.
  
  
• It is often described as a constitutional document due to its elaborate rules and procedures for governance.
  
  
• It outlines:
  
  
• Formation of wards
  
  
• Eligibility criteria for candidates
  
  
• Disqualifications
  
  
• Mode of elections
  
  
• Committee roles and functions
  
  
• Mechanism to remove corrupt officials
  
  
• Right to Recall: Villagers could remove elected representatives who failed in their duties.
  

Kudavolai System: Ancient Ballot-Based Election

• The Kudavolai system (meaning “ballot pot system”) was the electoral method used in Uthiramerur.
  
  
• Steps of the process:
  
  
• Names of eligible candidates were written on palm leaves.
  
  
• Leaves were placed in a pot.
  
  
• A young, neutral boy (free from local bias) drew one leaf.
  
  
• The system was designed to ensure transparency, impartiality, and fairness.
  
  
• Elected members served for one-year fixed terms and were re-elected through the same process.
  

Eligibility Criteria: High Standards for Public Office

• Candidates had to:
  
  
• Be between 35 to 70 years of age.
  
  
• Own tax-paying land with a house on it.
  
  
• Be well-versed in sacred texts or administrative knowledge.
  
  
• These norms ensured that only capable and morally upright individuals could contest.
  

Disqualifications: Purifying Public Life

• Individuals were disqualified if they:
  
  
• Defaulted on loans
  
  
• Consumed alcohol
  
  
• Committed moral wrongdoings
  
  
• Failed to submit accounts from previous positions
  
  
• Even close relatives of such persons were barred from contesting.
  

Accountability Mechanism

• Those guilty of:
  
  
• Embezzlement
  
  
• Neglect of duty
  
  
• Faced removal from office and were barred from re-election for up to seven generations in serious cases.
  
  
• This demonstrates a rigorous commitment to ethics and accountability.
  

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• These village assemblies were not advisory bodies but self-governing institutions with real power.
  
  
• They show that democratic traditions existed in ancient India long before modern systems.
  
  
• The Chola model reflects values of ethics, fairness, and civic participation.
  

Comparisons and Contemporary Relevance of India’s Democratic Traditions

• Chola-era governance had strict anti-corruption measures, including lifetime or generational bans on corrupt officials.
  
  
• In contrast, modern Indian politics often sees convicted politicians return to power, reflecting a decline in accountability.
  

India’s Electoral Legacy Reflects:

• Transparency in public administration.
  
  
• Accountability of leaders to the people.
  
  
• Ethical leadership, upheld through moral codes.
  
  
• Active citizen participation, even in ancient local self-governments like Chola sabhas.
  

Modern Relevance of Indigenous Democratic Practices:

• Reinforces the idea that democracy in India is homegrown, not a colonial gift.
  
  
• Acts as a counter-narrative to the global erosion of democratic values.
  
  
• Highlights India’s resilience, originality, and civilizational commitment to democracy.
  

Challenges in Reclaiming Indigenous Democratic Traditions

• Political Criminalization: Despite legal convictions, many leaders continue to contest and win elections, diluting democratic ethics.
  
  
• Erosion of Ethical Standards: Moral accountability, once central to ancient governance like the Chola system, is often missing in present-day politics.
  
  
• Low Public Awareness: Most citizens are unaware of India’s indigenous democratic legacy, leading to over-dependence on Western democratic models.
  
  
• Weak Local Governance: Institutions like Gram Sabhas, inspired by ancient assemblies, are often undermined by bureaucratic interference and political apathy.
  
  
• Global Influence: Overemphasis on Western benchmarks of democracy overshadows India’s own historical contributions.
  

Way Forward

• Strengthen Political Accountability: Enforce strict disqualification laws for convicted politicians to restore public trust.
  
  
• Revive Ethical Leadership: Promote values-based political training inspired by historical models like Chola sabhas.
  
  
• Curriculum Reform: Include indigenous governance systems in education to raise awareness.
  
  
• Empower Local Bodies: Give real power and autonomy to Panchayati Raj Institutions, echoing ancient self-governance systems.
  
  
• Public Engagement: Encourage active citizen participation and deliberative democracy to rebuild a participatory culture.

Conclusion:

• India's democratic ethos is deeply rooted in its civilizational history.
  
  
• Historical examples like Chola administration prove that democracy is indigenous and codified, not externally imposed.
  
  
• Recognizing and reclaiming this legacy is crucial for building a more ethical, participatory, and accountable polity in modern India.