Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.100

c9.s4.100

Buddhaghosa records a tradition about the judicial procedure of the Licchavis. A criminal, after examination by lesser bodies, if not discharged, was made over to the *aṭṭha-kulikas* by the *suttadharas*. And the former, if convinced of his guilt, handed him over to the *senāpati*.⁴ We have seen earlier that the term *aṭṭha-kulika* has been given undue importance and has been misunderstood.⁵ However, it throws some light on the matter of the Licchavian Council. It may well be that the *aṭṭha-kulikas* are the council of nine referred to in the Jaina sources in its judicial function. Possibly when a prisoner was tried the chief *rājā* did not act as a member of the jury. Thus these eight, the *aṭṭhakulikas* of Buddhaghosa, tried judicial cases.