Interestingly, the gana sanghas were generally located in the periphery of the major ancient Indian states, both geographically and culturally, and tend to occupy the higher ground near the Himalayas. The gana sanghas of Vajji, Malla, Koliya, and Shakya mentioned above all situated at the foothills of Himalayas, close to today's Nepal. On contrast, the states which followed a monarchical government (saamarajya) were generally located in the flood plains of the Ganges.