Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c10.s4.55

c10.s4.55

Altekar has suggested that the council of the Videhas consisted of nine *rājās*, similar to the Licchavian body.¹⁰ There is no direct evidence either to support this or any other number for the Videhan council. Yet, considering the size and importance of the Videhans at this period, it does not seem likely that their council was as large as that of the Licchavis. The *Mahānārada-Kassapa Jātaka* lends support to the view that the Videhas had a council of four.¹ But this is a suggestion and may apply to the earlier monarchical era. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that the Videhas, apart from the assembly, had a council which consisted of a few members.