Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c10.s4.58

c10.s4.58

The references to Videha in the *Jātakas* are ambiguous, because it is not clear whether they refer to monarchy or the republic. A *Jātaka*² refers to a king of Videha and seven main officers. *Uparājā* Ariṭṭhajanaka was a viceroy during his father Mahājanaka's reign, before he himself became a king. Prince Polajanaka was a viceroy. We further hear of the general (*senāpati*), the treasurer (*bhaṇḍāgārika*), the keeper of the umbrella, the swordbearer and the family chaplain. They all are reported to have been put to a test by princess Sivalī, who had been entrusted with the right to choose a proper person to be the king of Videha, after Ariṭṭhajanaka died without a son to succeed him. This *Jātaka* has muddled the two traditions—the Brāhmaṇic tradition of Videha having been a kingdom and the Buddhist tradition of its being a republic with a king chosen by the assembly. Out of these seven officers only four appear to be public officers, the *rājā*, *uparājā*, *senāpati* and *bhaṇḍāgārika*, while the others were apparently the personal servants and attendants of the king.