Samiti
Topic: Democracy: Forms of Government, Principles and Outcomes · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 9 "From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments"; Class 9, Ch 6 "Democracy"
Meaning
The samiti was the Vedic popular assembly, a gathering of the people or tribe. It discussed public affairs and could influence the choice of the king. The Atharvaveda calls the sabha and the samiti the "two daughters of Prajapati". It matters as an early sign that rulers in India were expected to consult the people.
Example
Rigveda 10.191, the Aikyamatya Sukta, speaks of "one counsel, one assembly, one mind". This captures the ideal of the samiti: people deliberating together until they reach agreement.
Don't confuse with
- Sabha: the sabha was a smaller council of elders that advised the ruler and settled disputes. The samiti was the larger assembly of the people.
- Vidatha: the vidatha was the oldest Rigvedic assembly, with religious, social and distributive roles.