Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.44

c14.44

The capital of the Koliyas was at Rāmagāma² which was situated about six *yojanas* (42 miles) to the east of Kapilavatthu. In this position Cunningham found the village of Deokali with a mound of ruins.³ It was at this spot that the Koliyas erected a *stūpa* enshrining their portion of the relics of the Buddha claimed at Kusinārā.⁴ Cunningham's location for Rāmagāma at the modern village of Deokali is just about 8-9 miles to the east of the river Rohiṇi, and about 80 miles to the north of the Ganges. But the *Mahāvaṁsa* states that the *stūpa* of Rāmagāma, which "stood on the bank of the Ganges, was destroyed by the action of the current."⁵ Cunningham is right to correct the writer of the text by saying that the "Ganges is a simple fabrication of the Ceylonese chronicler."⁶ All the Buddhist traditions agree in stating that the relics of the Buddha were divided into eight portions, of which one fell to the lot of the Koliyas of Rāmagāma.¹ According to the Ceylonese tradition, the relic casket was washed away by the currents of the Ganges, and was discovered by the Nāgas, or water-gods, and presented to the Nāga king. He built a *stūpa* for its reception. During the reign of Dutthagāmini of Ceylon (161-137 B.C.), the casket was miraculously obtained from the Nāga king by the holy monk Sonuttara, and enshrined in the Great *stūpa* in the land of Laṅkā.²