Sangha is a term primarily used to denote an association, assembly, company, or community. While it has various applications, it is most notably recognized as a religious and historical concept rather than a specific geographical location.
In a political context, the term was historically utilized to describe a governing assembly within a republic or a kingdom. For a long time, it has been used by several religious associations, including Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. Due to this history, some Buddhists maintain that the tradition of the sangha represents humanity's oldest surviving democratic institution.