Answer the following: The concept of local self-government is not new to our country. Discuss.

The concept of local self-government is not new to our country and there is mention of community assemblies in the Vedic texts. Around 600 B.C., the territory north of the river Ganga comprising modern day north Bihar and eastern U.P. was under the suzerainty of small republics called Janapadas among which Lichhavis were the most powerful. In these Janapadas, the affairs of the State were conducted by an assembly consisting of local chieftains. In the post Mauryan times as well, there existed republics of Malavas and the Kshudrakas where decisions were taken by "sabhas". Similar participatory structures also existed in South India. In the Chola Kingdoms, the village council together with its sub-committees and wards played an important part in administration, arbitrated disputes and managed social affairs. Their transactions recorded on the walls of the village temples show a vigorous community life and are a permanent memorial to the best practices in early Indian polity.