Explanation: Unlike kingdoms where they had a single hereditary monarch, the Gana-Sanghas had a government by assembly and within this assembly too, they had an oligarchy.

• Some of the Ganas were of one clan, e.g., the Shakyas and the Mallas; while the others were confederation of several clans, e.g., Vajjis.
• Most of the ganas were located in or near the Himalayan foothills in eastern India, which also suggests that probably their establishment predated the transition to kingdoms as clearing wooded low-lying hills was comparatively easier than the marshy jungles of the plain.

Source: Poonam Dahiya