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Antique Collection India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history?Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! Historical Collections Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. Antique Pieces Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! Antique Collection Online Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection?For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree?At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons:Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space.Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world.Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces.Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision.Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism.Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family.Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests.Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate.In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

<h1>Antique Collection</h1>
India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history? Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! 
<h2>Historical Collections</h2>
Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. 
<h2>Antique Pieces</h2>
Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! 
<h2>Antique Collection Online</h2>
Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s 1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection? For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree? At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons: Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space. Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world. Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces. Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision. Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism. Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family. Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests. Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate. In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl Showpiece

Bastar Handmade Wrought Iron Candle Stand

Dhokra Metal Handmade Harappan Dancing Girl Replica Statue Showpiece

Silver Inlaid handcrafted Bidri Bangle

Terracotta Harappan Pashupati Seal Replica with Frame

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Terracotta Harappan Bull Seal Replica with Frame

Terracotta Harappan Peepul Tree Seal Replica with Frame

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The History Shop

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Sunflower Handmade Mud Art Wall Hanging

Bottle Green Handwoven Silk & Cotton Ikat Cushion Cover

Rust Coloured Handwoven Cushion Cover

Mustard & Black Handwoven Tribe Inspired Table Runner

White Marble Coaster Set with Red Inlay (Set of 6 with holder)

Desert Oasis Handmade Mud Art Wall Hanging

Violet Handwoven Ikat Silk Cushion Cover

Hand Embroidered Mirror & Thread-Work Table Runners - Lambani Table Runners in Scarlet

Handcrafted Home Decor For You

Peepul Tree Bestseller Collection

Explore the ancient tradition and mythological story of Guliga and Panjurli, revered as daivas or bhutas in Tulunadu, as immortalised in the film Kantara. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Tulunadu through this story.

Guliga and Panjurli - The Divine Deities from Kantara

The Divine Deities from Kantara

‘Ponniyin Selvan’ is a five-volume piece of historical fiction written by Kalki Krishnamurthy in the 1950s. Considered one of the greatest works of modern Tamil literature, the novel is still considered a cult classic. Catch the story here

The Real Story Behind ‘Ponniyin Selvan’

This Ramnavami, embark on a pilgrimage with us as we trace Lord Ram's journey across the Indian Subcontinent. From his birthplace in Ayodhya to the scenic Chitrakoot, where he spent time during his exile, we'll visit the many places associated with Lord Ram's life. Join us as we explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of India and celebrate the auspicious occasion of Ramnavami.

In the Footsteps of Ram 

India’s first Republic Day celebrations were far from the impressive show we see today. And guess what? There was no grand pageant on Rajpath. We bring you some stunning details that marked the day India became a republic

What India’s First Republic Day Celebrations Looked Like

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The Athenian democracy of ancient Greece and the ancient Roman Republic have served as models for democratic countries around the world. While India became the world’s largest democracy on 15th August 1947, few realize that India had its own tradition of ancient democratic republics more than 2,500 years ago. These polities, known as ‘Gana Rajya’ or ‘Gana Sangha’, give us a fascinating glimpse into political life in ancient India.

While the Harappan Civilization was known for its great cities, we know little about its political systems or how it was ruled. It is only from the early Vedic period, through references in Hindu texts like the 

, as well as later Buddhist and Jain religious literature that we learn about the democratic states that existed in ancient India.

It was during the ‘Second Urbanization’ in North India, around 600 BCE, that a number of city-states, republics and monarchies came into existence. Noted Banaras Hindu University Historian, Prof Anant Sadashiv Altekar, in his book 

State and Government in Ancient India (1949)

, writes about how the earliest references to a semblance of democratic rule can be found in the 

, in which there are references to ‘Sabha’(Council) and ‘Samiti’ (Committee) electing chieftains.

According to Prof Altekar, most of the early republics and city-states were located in the North-Western part of India. A passage in the 

 states that the people in the vicinity of the Himalayas, like the Uttarakurus and the Uttaramadras, had a ‘Virat’ (Kingless) type of state.

These city-states are said to have survived till the invasion of Alexander of Macedonia in 325 CE. Contemporary Greek historian Arrian of Nicomedia writes about how when Alexander and his army arrived at the city of ‘Nyasa’ somewhere in the Gandhara region of today’s Pakistan, the ‘President’ of the city along with his 30 deputies went to meet him to discuss the terms of surrender.

In fact, Greek chroniclers emphasized the different forms of government they encountered in Punjab then. In the Greek chronicles, while the famed Porus has been described as a ‘king’, the city of Nyasa was ruled by an aristocracy. There is a reference to a tribe called ‘Sabaracae’, where according to the Greeks, 

‘the form of government was democratic and not regal’

. Prof Altekar believes that references to ‘Gramas’ on the banks of the Indus River in the Mahabharata, corroborate the existence of city-states in this region.

Historian Dr K P Jayaswal extensively studied the political system in ancient India through references in Hindu religious texts such as the 

Hindu Polity - A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times (1924)

, as we know today, evolved only around the 5th century CE, with verses and chapters being added over time, it is a rich source of information on the life and politics in ancient times.

, Bhishma tells Yudhisthira about republican states referred to as ‘Gana-Sanghas’ known for their successful foreign policies, full treasury, standing army, skills in wars, good laws and discipline. Based on his studies, Dr Jayaswal also believed that Lord Krishna was actually the Chief of the Andhaka-Vrishni Sangha of the Yadavas, which was actually a democratic republic of four tribes named Vrishni, Andhaka, Kukura and Bhojaka. It had political factions or parties called Vargas in their General Assembly.

, Lord Krishna has been mentioned as Sangha Mukhya, which could be translated as ‘Head of the Council’. In this chapter of the 

, there is a reference to a conversation between Krishna and Sage Narada, which tells us about how the Assembly worked.

The Yadava Assembly had two opposing factions led by Ahuka and Akrura, respectively, who respected Lord Krishna as their leader but mistrusted each other. Lord Krishna had a hard time building consensus between the two.

In his conversation with Narada, Lord Krishna compared himself to a mother who is torn between two sons gambling with each other. Narada was concerned their union would fall apart if consensus was not built and advised Lord Krishna to use sweet words to bind the factions together.

Types of Republics and How They Functioned

Interestingly, details of how the republics of ancient India functioned can be found in Buddhist canonical literature and the 

. Historians Jagdish P Sharma and A L Basham studied each of these republics in their book 

Republics in Ancient India c 1500 BC – 500 CE (1968)

According to Sharma and Basham, there were two types of republican states. Some were unitary while some were a union or confederation of many republican tribes. States like Shakya, Koliya and Moriya followed a unitary republican model, while states like the Andhaka-Vrishni Sangha, and the Vajji Union were a federation of republican tribes. Most of these states were located in the foothills of the Himalayas and in the northern region of Bihar.

The Shakyas were a republican state, located on the present-day Indo-Nepal border, to which Gautama Buddha belonged. He was born Siddharth Gautama, son of the republic’s president Suddhodana. The Shakya Council known as Santhagara had 500 members and their leader bore the title of ‘Raja’.

The most important and powerful republic during the time of Buddha was the Licchavi republic and Vajji Union which it formed, which again covered parts of Nepal and the present-day Tirhut division of Bihar. The Vajji were a union of republics comprising the Vaidehas, Licchavis, Nayas and Mallas. Of these republics, the Licchavi was the most dominant. Their Assembly consisted of 18 members, of which nine alone were from the Licchavis. Their capital was in the city of Vaishali and they elected a President (Raja), Vice-President (Upa-Raja), Defence-Chief (Senapati), and Treasurer (Bhandargarika).

Individually, the Licchavi also had their Assembly, with 7,707 members, probably from the founding aristocratic families.

How these Ganas functioned is mentioned in the contemporary Buddhist text known as the 

, which also shows how similar these ancient republics were to modern democracies. Members of the Assembly voted via ballots, and a political whip called Ganapuraka was appointed to make sure voting was done correctly. Another officer called Salaka Grahapaka was entrusted with impartially collecting these votes. Voting was done either secretly, through whispering, or by the open method.

These ancient republics did not follow the strict social code of the Varna system of the Vedic religion. The 

refers to the Licchavis and Mallas as Vratya Kshatriya, while calls Satvata (Yadavas) as Vratya Vaishya. Vratyas were those who deviated from Vedic orthodoxy.

Society in these republics was divided into two classes. The first were citizens of the tribe called Kshatriya-Rajakula, who owned lands and had voting rights. The second were Dasa-Karmakara, who were landless labourers who tilled the land for the owners and had no voting rights.

In some cases, citizenship had been extended to outsiders. We come across terms that distinguish a native citizen from an assimilated outsider. A Kshatriya member of the Malava Gana was referred to as Malavah, while a non-Kshatriya, non-Brahmin was referred to as Malavya. Similarly, a non-Kshatriya member of the Kshudraka Gana was called Kshudrakya. When Ajatshatru’s Brahmin minister Vassakara came to the Vajji capital of Vaishali as a refugee, he was given a judgeship in the city.

By the 5th century BCE, most of the republican states began to disappear. The rising power of Magadha meant that these states were conquered, one after the other, and incorporated into the Magadha kingdom. According to the Mahabharata and Arthashastra, the reason for their downfall was their inherent weakness due to their lengthy decision-making process, and mutual distrust.

Centuries later, when India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal became republics, they named their nations Ganarajya, Janatantra, and Ganatantra, keeping up with the legacy of ancient Gana-rajyas and Gana-sanghas. While the ancient republics give us a fascinating glimpse into the democratic polities of those times, one must be mindful of the words of Prof Sharma and Basham, who warn: 

‘It is a serious mistake on the part of the student of ancient political institutions to interpret ancient terms, concepts, and institutions in a modem context.’

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Did you know that ancient India had republics that were run in much the same way as modern democracies are today? Travel back 2,500 years, to the age of the Ganas, which had governing Assemblies, voting via secret ballot and political whips!