Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s7.242

c9.s7.242

Several scholars have sought to prove that the Lichchhavis, the most famous clan of the Vṛijian confederacy (*Vajjiraṭṭhavāsi hi pasatthā*)¹, were of foreign origin. According to Smith they had Tibetan affinities. He infers this from their judicial system and the disposal of their dead, *viz.*, exposing them to be devoured by wild beasts.² Pandit S. C. Vidyābhūshaṇa held that the name Lichchhavi (Nichchbivi of Manu) was derived from the Persian city of Nisibis.³ The inadequacy of the evidence on which these surmises rest has been demonstrated by several writers.⁴ Early Indian tradition is unanimous in representing the Lichchhavis as Kshatriyas. Thus we read in the *Mahā-parinibbān Suttanta*: "And the Lichchhavis of Vesālī heard the news that the Exalted One had died at Kusināra. And the Lichchhavis of Vesālī sent a messenger to the Mallas, saying: 'The Exalted One was a Kshatriya and so are we. We are worthy to receive a portion of the relics of the Exalted One." In the Jaina Kalpa Sūtra Triśalā, sister to Cheṭaka of Vesālī, is styled *Kshatriyāṇī*.¹