Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s3.1

c9.s3.1

Hsüan Tsang refers to the kingdoms of Vaiśālī (modern Basarh)² and Fo-li-shi or Vṛji³ separately, with an area of 5,000 li (833 miles) and 4,000 li (667 miles) in circuit respectively. Cunningham has shown the pilgrim's mistake in separating the two states which actually were one with several branches.⁴ The two taken separately are certainly too large to be accomodated in the region between the mountains and the Ganges.⁵ Cunningham asserts that "it is quite certain that there must be some mistake in the estimated dimensions of one of these. The utmost limit that can be assigned to the joint-districts, with reference to the surrounding states, is not more than 750 or 800 miles in circuit, from the foot of the mountains (in the north) to the Ganges on the south, and from the Gaṇḍaka on the west to the Mahānadi on the east. I conclude, therefore, either that there is some mistake or exaggeration in the estimated size of one or both of the districts, or that the two districts are the same kingdom under different names."⁶ That the latter actually was the case he has shown in detail.⁷ Cunningham further discusses the area covered by the Licchavis, the Videhas, etc., and shows that this entire region was occupied by the *Saṁ-vajjis* or "United Vajjis". Moreover, he shows, on the authority of Hsüan Tsang, that "the country of the Vṛjis was long from east to west, and narrow from north to south. This description," he says, "corresponds exactly with the tract of country lying between the Gaṇḍaka and Mahānadi rivers, which is 300 miles in length by 100 miles in breadth."⁸