Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c13.s2.20

c13.s2.20

On this account Majumdar did not let Bhandarkar go unchallenged.⁴ Criticizing Bhandarkar’s theory, Majumdar finally brought out evidence from the *Jātakas* that the Sakyas were a republican community, as first expounded by Oldenberg and Rhys Davids. He says that ‘‘it may be pointed out, . . . that the introductory episodes of the Jātakas seem to prove that the constitution of the Śākyas was not unlike that of the Licchavis.’’ ⁵ Majumdar substantiates his statement from the *Kuṇāla Jātaka* ⁶ which describes a feud between the Sakyas and their neighbouring republic, the Koliyas. In his opinion, ‘‘a careful study of the whole account hardly leaves any doubt that the Śākyas were governed on the same principle as the Licchavis.’’ ⁷ Thus, when the quarrel grew serious over the waters of the river Rohiṇī, which each party wanted for irrigation, the Sakyas went and told the ‘‘councillors appointed to such services and they reported it to the multitude of kings of royal families’’. ⁸ It was then resolved, apparently by these kings, that they should fight, and so the Sakyas ‘‘sallied forth, ready for the fray’’. The number of these kings is not definitely stated, but it must have been considerable in view of the fact that 250 princes were offered as escorts for the Buddha, who intervened in the feud.¹