Vidatha
Also called: Vidhata · Topic: The Vedic Age · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"
Meaning
The vidhata (also spelt vidatha) was a popular gathering of the members of a Vedic jana (clan). It was a place to discuss war and other political matters. Many scholars think it was the oldest Vedic assembly. It may also have dealt with sharing out war spoils and with religious matters. The Ṛigveda and the Atharvaveda refer to it, along with the sabhā and samiti. Together these assemblies show that people took part in politics and acted as early checks on the chief.
Example
The Ṛigveda mentions the vidhata more often than the sabhā or samiti. Women are also said to have attended such gatherings.
Don't confuse with
- Sabhā: a smaller body of select elites, mainly for judging disputes.
- Samiti: a larger assembly of a wider group of people, which decided policy. The vidhata was the people's forum for war and political matters.