Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c15.s3.t2.1

c15.s3.t2.1

There are a number of references to the Bhaggas of Suṁsumāragiri in connection with the visits of the Buddha in the early part of his career.⁵ Bhagga appears to be the name of both the people and the land they occupied,⁶ including their capital town Suṁsumāragiri with its surrounding region. Some of the *Vinaya* rules for the monks were laid down there,⁷ and there are other scattered references to the Bhaggas and their country.¹ The *Majjhima Nikāya* also contains at least three *suttas* that were delivered at Suṁsumāra Hill.² The *Dhonasākha Jātaka* was also narrated at the Bhaggan capital.³ Moreover, there are a few references to them in the *Saṁyutta Nikāya*⁴ and other sources.⁵