Post December 4, 2018August 29, 2024COMMENTARY Dharmaśāstra-s: Theory and Practice — Local Self-Government, and Elections in Ancient India By: Manjushree Hegde India's was unique in its idea of self-governance in village communities where people from all spheres of life had a say while candidates needed to be supremely learned and in tune with the Dharmaśāstra-s to contest for positions.