Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t11.2

v1.c7.s2.t11.2

The origin and early history of Vaishali is not widely known. The city and the legends of its origin are, however, mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain texts. According to some Hindu texts, it was founded by King Vishala and was, therefore, named Vaishali. Tracing its history, Vishnu Purana mentions its 34 kings starting with democratic conscientious Nabhaga to Sumati who is considered to be a contemporary of Ayodhya's King Dashrath (father of lord Rama). Pali texts note Vaishali as a rich and flourishing city with numerous buildings and ponds, with a large population. Due to an expanding settlement, its boundaries were extended three times. It, therefore, became famous as Vaishali. Buddhaghosh too refers to this explanation for the name of the city. Jatak stories describe three large surrounding boundary walls of the city adorned with towers. Jain texts mention one of the walls covering the city of Vaishali and two others protecting the suburban cities of Vaniyagama and Kollaga. They describe it as a beautiful garden city surrounded by forests or a well-endowed heavenly city. The city thus appears to be flourishing by 6^th century BCE. Faxian in 3^rd century CE finds that many of the buildings still exist. It had, however, declined to a great extent by the time of Xuanzang's visit (7^th century CE) who notes flourishing agricultural fields and fruit gardens but only a few remains of its thousands of old buildings and hundreds of monasteries, and a greatly reduced population. Of all the sectarian disciples, *digambaras* (Jaina) were most.