History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.211.5

v4.c62.211.5

The Greek writers describing the invasion of Alexander speak of the democracies of the Oxydrakai (Kṣudrakas), Malloi (the Mālavas), the Siboi (Śibis), Sambastai (the Ambaṣṭhas) and several others. Vide K. P. Jayaswal's 'Hindu Polity' part I. chap. VIII (pp. 63-79) for Hindu Republics mentioned in Greek writings. Rhys Davids in 'Buddhist India' pp. 19 ff. summarizes the data about Indian republics derived from Buddhist works. On p. 22 he gives the names of eleven republican clans with their capitals, some of which like the Śākyas (of Kapilavastu), the Mallas (of Kusinārā and Pāvā), the Videhas (of Mithilā) and Licchavis (of Vesāli) are well-known. Rhys Davids states (p. 19) that the administrative and judicial business of the Śākyas was carried on in a mote-hall (saṇṭhāgāra) at Kapilavastu, that a single chief was chosen (but how and for what period is not known) who presided over the sessions and (when no sessions were being held) also over the State, that he bore the title of *rājā*. He mentions that at one time Buddha's cousin Bhaddiya was *rājā* and that in another passage Buddha's father Śuddhodana is styled *rājā*. He further points out (p. 26) that the Vajjians had eight confederate clans of which the Licchavis and the Videhas were the most important. K. P. Jayaswal in 'Hindu Polity' part 1 pp.