Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c6.s1.43

c6.s1.43

Thus, the chief evidence for even the republics of the post-Vedic period must be obtained from religious texts. The Pāli canon records numerous contemporary events other than those connected with the Buddha. There are many descriptions of political and social events, such as the war between the Vajjis and Ajātasattu, including the intrigues of his minister Vassakāra, the fortifying of Pāṭaligāma for defensive purposes, and finally, the subjugation of the Vajjis. These are some of the important historical events recorded in the Pāli texts. In connection with the historical references in the *Mahāparinibbāna Sutta*, Dr. A. K. Warder aptly observes that "the records are circumstantial and realistic and purport to be eye-witness accounts of the events. It seems, we must accept the conclusion that some such eye-witness reports, at least, formed the model for this apparently unique style of literature, though we know that later on forgeries in the same style were produced in order to give currency to new doctrines."¹