Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c13.s3.15

c13.s3.15

The same source further informs us that they took resort in ‘‘fermenting dissensions among the inhabitants’’. After consulting together at the receipt of Virūḍhaka-Viḍūḍabha’s message, the Sakyan assembly followed their headman (*rgan-po*) and advocated opening of the gates. Hardly were the gates opened than the Kosalan army broke in upon them and started the extermination of the Sakyas. ‘‘Seeing this [accomplished], Virūḍhaka thought, ‘Now I may depart, for I have fulfilled my promise.’ He had massacred in this way the greater part of believers.’’³