Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c15.s2.1

c15.s2.1

We are unable to give the proper derivation of the name of the Bulis, but it may well be connected with the Sanskrit root *bul* (*bolayati*), meaning “to cause to sink” or “submerge”.¹ Their capital town, Allakappa² appears to be a compound of *alla*, moist or wet, and *kappa* (Sanskrit *kalpa*), “anything made with a definite object in view” or “that which is fit and suitable”.³ This would imply that their capital was “suitably damp” or “almost damp”. However, these are only suggestions.