Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c11.70

c11.70

Because of their location near Vesālī, Siddhārtha, then the chief of the Nāyas, was married to Trisalā, the sister of Ceḍaga, chief of the Licchavis.³ Siddhārtha must have been quite influential through this connection. He was thus also indirectly connected by marriage with the Magadhan king Bimbisāra who had married a daughter of the same Ceḍaga.⁴ It would be quite in keeping with the texts if we suggest that the chief of the Nāyas, Siddhārtha in the present case, represented their clan on the Vajjian Council of Eighteen at Vesālī. In the absence of detailed accounts and references to the political influence of the Nāyas, their geographical location near the Vajjian metropolis at Vesālī and their relations with the Licchavis make it most likely that they were a constituent member of the Confederacy. This being the case, one is tempted to conclude that the Nāyas also fought against the Magadhan king in the long war between Magadha and the Vajjians.⁵ However, the sources do not give the Nāyas much importance in political matters. No doubt as the Nāyas were very close associates of the Licchavis and also members of the Vajjian League,⁶ their more powerful neighbours overshadowed them. The Nāyas may have retained internal authority, but left to the Vajjian Council all matters of war and foreign policy.