Which of the following is/are true about Ganas or Sanghas?

Question

Which of the following is/are true about Ganas or Sanghas?

i. Most of the ganas were located in or near Himalayan foothills

ii. The ganas had greater vestiges of tribal organization

iii. Power in ganas was vested in the hands of an aristocracy

iv. The ganas were associated with Vaisyas

Choose the correct answer:

1. A. Only i is correct
2. B. Only i & ii are correct
3. C. Only i, ii, & iii are correct (Correct answer)
4. D. Only i,ii & iv are correct

Correct Answer

Option C — Only i, ii, & iii are correct

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only i, ii, & iii are correct.

Key Points

• Statement i is correct. Most ganas or sanghas lay in or near the Himalayan foothills — the Shakyas of Kapilavastu, the Licchavis of Vaishali, the Mallas of Kushinagar and Pava, and the Koliyas.
• Statement ii is correct. They retained greater vestiges of tribal organisation than the monarchies, governing through assemblies rather than a hereditary king.
• Statement iii is correct. Power rested with an aristocracy — the *rajas* or heads of leading families, who met in an assembly and decided by discussion and vote. It was oligarchic, not universally participatory.
• Statement iv is incorrect. The ganas were associated with the Kshatriyas, not the Vaishyas. Their ruling clans were Kshatriya lineages.

Additional Information

• Gana means "of equal number" and sangha "assembly" — hence the description of these polities as republics or oligarchies, in contrast with the *rajya* monarchies such as Magadha and Kosala.
• The Vajji (Vrijji) confederacy, with Vaishali as its capital, was the most prominent — a league of eight clans led by the Licchavis. The Buddha praised its practice of frequent, well-attended assemblies.
• Both the Buddha and Mahavira came from gana societies — the Buddha from the Shakyas and Mahavira from the Jnatrikas, a clan of the Vajji confederacy. The relative openness of these societies is often linked to the rise of heterodox sects.
• The ganas were eventually absorbed by Magadha; Ajatashatru destroyed the Vajji confederacy, reportedly sowing dissension among the clans through his minister Vassakara.
• Sixteen Mahajanapadas are listed in Buddhist texts such as the *Anguttara Nikaya*; Magadha ultimately prevailed over all of them.