Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s7.10

c9.s7.10

Of the sixteen Mahājanapadas **Kāsi** was probably at first the most powerful. We have already seen that Kāsi probably played a prominent part in the subversion of the Videhan monarchy. Several *Jātakas* bear witness to the superiority of its capital Benares over the other cities, and the imperial ambition of its rulers. The *Guttila Jātaka*² says that the city of Benares is the chief city in all India. It extended over twelve leagues³ whereas Mithilā and Indapatta were each only seven leagues in extent.¹ Several Kāsi monarchs are described as aspirants for the dignity of the chief king of all kings (*sabbarājunam aggarājā*), and lord of the whole of India (*sakala-Jambudīpa*).² The *Mahāvagga* also mentions the fact that Kāsi was in former times a great and prosperous realm, possessed of immense resources: