Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c14.80

c14.80

The Koliyas, like the Sakyas, had a set of officers who appear to have been concerned with irrigation and agriculture, because during their feud the labourers went and reported the matters to the "officers appointed for that purpose".⁴ The Koliyas had servants (*Koliya-kammakaras* or *sevakas*) working on their farms.⁵ More relevant than the preceeding officers to the republican system of the Koliyas are groups of officers, called *bhojakās*, *amaccās* and *uparājās*. These we have discussed in connection with the Sakyas. The source of our knowledge of these officers is the same text which refers to the Sakyas. Therefore we find no reason to disbelieve that the power, position and function of these officials was the same in the Koliyan republic as it was in their Sakyan counterpart,¹ especially as peoples appear to have been of kindred stocks.² On the same analogy, the *uparājās* would have succeeded their fathers in the assembly and the *amaccās*, or councillors, would have formed a smaller council to assist the head of the republic in the administration of public business.