Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c12.s3.44

c12.s3.44

This strongly suggests that the Mallas had an assembly consisting of the heads of families of the tribe, all of whom would be Kṣatriyas of the Vaśiṣṭha-*gotra*. They were all called *rājās* as were the Licchavis, or in Kauṭilya’s terms they “lived by the title of *rājā*”.¹ After the death of a certain member of the assembly, perhaps his eldest son took his father’s seat and he was probably initiated into the assembly after a ceremony at the *Makuṭa-bandhana*.² The *Makuṭa bandhana* appears, from its name, to have had some political significance for the ruling Mallas of Kusinārā apart from being a shrine. The Paveyya-Mallas ³ might also have had such a place for anointing the new members into the assembly.