Kautiliya's Arthashastra
Kautiliya's Arthashastra attests that the Kambojas followed republican constitution.
Kautiliya contrasts Varta.shastr.opajivin (martial republican) Sanghas with the Raja.shabad.opajivin (king-council) Sanghas and includes the Kamboja and Surastra Kshatriyas in the 'Varta-shastr.opajivin' or 'martial republics' category.
- 'Kamboja. Surastra.ksatriya.shreny.aadayo 'vaartta.shastra.upajiivinah' .
i.e. Corporations of warriors (Kshatriya shrenis) of the Kamboja and Surashtra and some other nations live by agriculture, trade and by wielding weapons.
Kautiliya also attests that the Shrenis or corporations of the 'Shastr-opajivins' (i.e. the Kambojas and Surastras etc.) were the most heroic and best source for military recruitment.
The martial republics mentioned in Kautiliya Arthashastra are headed by Kambojas (Jayswal).
The democratic constitution of the Kambojas is also testified by Mahabharata which refers to several brave Ganas or Republics of the Kambojas (Kambojana cha ye Ganah....sangrame shura sammatah) fighting on Kurus' side.
Thirteenth Rock Edict of king Ashoka also affirms that the Kambojas, Yavanas etc. were republican or kingless nations (araja.visyavasi yonakambojesu..) within the Mauryan empire.
Main article: Kambojas in Kautiliya's Arthashastra
Read more about this topic: Kambojas In Indian Literature