Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c13.s2.116

c13.s2.116

We know that the Sakyan assembly gathered together to discuss important matters of public business. It was this body which decided upon questions of war, peace, and alliances. They deliberated on Pasenadi's proposal,² and decided on action in reference to their feud with the Koliyas.³ It was they who received Viḍūḍabha when he went to pay a visit to his maternal uncles,⁴ and who finally discussed plans and policy at the eve of Viḍūḍabha's seige of Kapilavatthu.⁵ In Rhys David's opinion, the assembly "must inevitably have had a financial policy to discuss and carry out" ⁶ as well. We do not know how often this body convened. The smaller council, headed by the chief or president of the republic, probably met more often than the assembly, and carried out the business of the republic in the name of the latter.