[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) › c14.34 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.34 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.34 - **Language:** English ### [c14.34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.34) Though the account is legendary, it contains some historical points relevant to a discussion of the Koliyas. The connection of the Koliyas with Rāma, the king of Banaras, and with the sage Kola is significant. The Licchavis were also connected with a queen of Banaras who, according to Buddhaghosa, threw the lump of flesh she bore into the currents of the Ganges. The twins born of that lump are said to have been the ancestors of the Licchavis.¹ The relation of the Sakyas with Banaras is also implied for Piyā, the daughter of Okkāka, whom the Sakyas claimed as their ancestor,² is reported to have married Rāma or Kola of the \*Mahāvastu\*. Hence, the Koliyas are not only said to be related to the royal family of Banaras, but also to the Sakyas. That the Koliyas and the Sakyas intermarried is evident from the fact that the Buddha’s mother is reported, in at least one source,³ to have been the daughter of a Koliyan prince. Buddhaghosa further supports the existence of matrimonial alliances between the two peoples whose territories were adjacent, only divided by the river Rohiṇi.⁴ - [Previous: c14.33](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.33) - [Next: c14.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.35) - [Up: c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.34) · Pramāṇa