Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s2.6

c9.s2.6

Rhys Davids twice calls them "the powerful confederation of the Licchavis"⁴ and once "the powerful Vajjian Confederacy."⁵ Jayaswal refers to them by both names indiscriminately,⁶ as do B.C. Law⁷ and D. R. Bhandarkar.⁸ R. C. Majumdar also employs both terms, but uses only "Licchavi" while making his own statements about them.⁹ Altekar refers to them mainly as Licchavis¹⁰ and he does not seem to believe that there was a more or less permanent confederation of republics.¹¹ Professor Basham calls them "Licchavis" when referring to one of the confederates and "Vajjian Confederacy" with reference to all the confederates.¹ Dr. A. K. Warder² similarly makes a very clear distinction between the use of the words when he says "the famous Licchavis and their Vajjian Confederates," "Vajjian Confederacy,"³ and "Magadha, the most powerful monarchy, and the Vajjis, the most powerful republican Confederacy."⁴ We believe that this discriminate use of the words is historically correct.