India's democratic roots are deeply embedded in its ancient civilizational ethos. Discuss in the context of India being referred to as the 'Mother of Democracy'.

Democracy refers to a system of governance which is based on popular will. India historically has found evidences of democratic goverance earning the epithet 'Mother of Democracy'. Civilisational Roots of Indian Democracy (1) Indian scriptures like Rig Veda find mention of popular assemblies like Sabha & Samities (2) Different segments of population were part of such assemblies including women. (3) Buddhist Texts like Mahaparinibbana

on democratic will. (4) Cholas during their dynastic rules had evolved village democracy in form of Uthes et. (5) During Chola period, rulers in such assemblies were elected from pot which marked the earlier beginnings of election. Called the Kudavai system. It had a very strict criteria for candidate ensuring quality of leaders. (6) Religious movements like Bhakti movement forused on equality of humans thereby referencing to need of acknowledging peoples