[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968) › c12.s3.54 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c12.s3.54 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c12.s3.54 - **Language:** English ### [c12.s3.54](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.54) The Jaina texts give us reason to believe that the council of the Mallas consisted of nine members (\*nava-Mallaī\*).² It was the Council of 18 (\*nava-Mallaī\* and \*nava-Lecchaī\*) which was consulted by Ceḍaga when Kuṇīya-Ajātasattu was harassing the confederates.³ Again, at the death of the Nigantha Nāyaputta, it was the Council of nine Mallas and nine Licchavis who instituted the festival of lights to mark the passing away of Mahāvīra.⁴ This suggests that in the Vajjian Council the Mallas and the Licchavis had equal representation. But as we have seen, the Videhas⁵ and probably also the Nāyas⁶ were represented in this council, and at the death of the Buddha "eight Malla chiefs" (\*aṭṭha Mallapāmokhā\*)⁷ intended to bear his corpse. Yet more significant is a following passage in which only "four Malla chiefs" (\*cattaro Mallapāmokhā\*) proceeded to set fire to the funeral pyre of the Exalted One.⁸ This text suggests that the Mallas had a council of either eight or four. - [Previous: c12.s3.53](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.53) - [Next: c12.s3.55](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.55) - [Up: c12.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3) ## Cites (2) - [Kalpasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.sveta.cheda.1.kalpasutra) — Bhadrabāhu, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit - [Nirayāvaliyāo](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.sveta.upanga.8) — Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.54](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c12.s3.54) · Pramāṇa