Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s2.32

c9.s2.32

In the *Mahāli Sutta*⁴ we have references to two Licchavis; Otthaddha the Licchavi, at least 15 times referred to as Mahāli by the Buddha, and Sunakkhatta of the Licchavis. Here again they are connected with Vesālī. As this *Sutta* has no political relevance they are not referred to as Vajjians. The *Jana-Vasabha Suttanta*⁵ reports that "the Exalted One in Nādikā was wont to make declaration as to the rebirth of such followers as had passed away in death among the tribes round about on every side”; i.e., among the Kāsis and the Kosalans, the Vajjians and the Mallas, and six other peoples.¹ Here, as the reference has some political significance, there is no mention of the Licchavis but of the Vajjians, and the Mallas who were most probably a powerful confederate. This unmistakably shows that the Licchavis were included in the Vajjians.