LICCHAVI KINGDOM - GovtVacancy.Net

LICCHAVI KINGDOM - GovtVacancy.Net
Posted on 15-07-2022

LICCHAVI KINGDOM

Vrajji or Vajji Sangha was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas.  This Mahajanapada was situated in the north of Magadha. This sangha was formed by the union of eight clans and out of these four (Videha, Jyatrika, Vajji, and Lichchavi) clans were more prominent. Vaishali was the capital of this union.

The district of Lichchivis was the most powerful and important in the Vrajji or Vajji Sangha. Their capital was Vaishali. It is known from a book called Mahavastu that Gautam Buddha went to Vaishali on the special invitation of the Lichchivis. This city was not only the capital of the Licchavi Republic but also the capital of the entire Vrijji Sangha. The rule of Lichchivis was a kind of democracy of aristocratic families. The political power of this state was in the hands of the councilors elected by him (or by the citizens). The people running the government used to be old; Each of whom was called 'Raja'.

'Raja' did not mean an autocratic ruler, but the ruler of the state or a member of the administrative assembly. It is not known from the sources whether these kings were elected or their positions were patrilineal lords or heroes of different families. According to a Jataka (Punya Jataka), 7707 kings or citizens used to form a representative assembly in the Licchavi state. The members of this assembly were not considered to be younger or older than each other. In these, a king, a vice-president, a commander, and a treasury (or treasurer) were elected. It is said that there were seven courts one after the other in the Lichchavi Republic to try the same case. But some scholars consider the truth of this matter to be doubtful.

Buddhist literature throws extensive light on the social, and political life of the Lichchivis. Here the social life of the citizens was controlled by law. The general rule for all was that no one could marry outside the federal clans. Their internal organization was good and according to Gautam Buddha, therefore the Lichchivi Gana was invincible. Its population was very high. Many buildings are used to enhance the beauty of this city. This city had special religious importance. Vardhaman Mahavir's mother was a descendant of Kshatriyas of this state. He was born in Kund village (now known as Basu Kund) near this city. The second Buddhist meeting was organized in this city. Ajatashatru succeeded in breaking the Vrajji Sangha by sending his chief Amatya Vaskar to Vaishali and creating a split among the Lichchhavis. Ajatashatru defeated this union in war and destroyed it.

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