[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) › c14.15 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.15 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.15 - **Language:** English ### [c14.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.15) The allusion of the \*Jātaka\* to the Koliyas once dwelling in a hollow jujube tree² cannot be accepted. But the unanimity of almost all the Pāli sources in relating them to the \*kola\* tree is strong evidence and cannot be dismissed. As there is no contradictory information, the emphasis on the relation of the Koliyas with the \*kola\* is great, and probably decisive. We suggest that the Koliyas dwelt in a region where \*kola\* trees grew in abundance, and this was the fact which impelled the Sakyas to call them dwellers in the hollow of \*kolas\*. Koliya may be a tribal name of totemic character, like the name of the Licchavis, which, if our suggestion is correct, is connected with \*ṛkṣa\*, “bear”.³ - [Previous: c14.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.14) - [Next: c14.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.16) - [Up: c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.15) · Pramāṇa