[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) › c15.s2.1 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c15.s2.1 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c15.s2.1 - **Language:** English ### [c15.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.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. - [Previous: c15.s1.t2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c15.s1.t2.17) - [Next: c15.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c15.s2.2) - [Up: c15.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c15.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c15.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c15.s2.1) · Pramāṇa