Which one among the following mahajanapadas in ancient India was an oligarchy ?

In ancient India, the sixteen mahajanapadas were categorized into monarchies and gana-sanghas (oligarchies or republics). While Magadha, Kosala, and Gandhara were established as monarchies where power was hereditary and centered on a single king [1], the Vajji (or Vrijji) mahajanapada functioned as a prominent gana-sangha [1]. The Vajji confederacy, particularly the Lichchhavi clan, practiced collective decision-making through an assembly rather than a hereditary monarch [3]. In this system, leaders were chosen based on merit, and representatives from various clans met regularly in a sabha or samiti to address administrative and judicial issues [3]. This form of governance, where power was shared among a group of 'rajas' or elders, is characterized by historians as an oligarchy or an early republic [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Gana-Sanghas > p. 35
2. [3] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: New Beginnings: Cities and States > Early Democratic Traditions > p. 72