[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) › c14.44 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.44 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.44 - **Language:** English ### [c14.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.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 - [Previous: c14.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.43) - [Next: c14.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.45) - [Up: c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mahāvaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.mahavamsa) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c14.44) · Pramāṇa