Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.112

c9.s4.112

It is then a fair conclusion that the Licchavian Assembly consisted of the 7,707 *rājās* and that they elected from amongst themselves one to be their president or head of the state for a period of time. He was assisted by a council of eight (excluding the *rājā*), and wielded supreme power in the republic in the name of the Assembly. The latter was too large a body to administer the republic itself. No doubt this small body of nine, which made the plans and policies of the Licchavian republic, had to seek the approval of the Assembly of 7,707 on important matters. This Council would also have prepared the agenda for the Annual General Assembly, the consecration of the *uparājās*, and other important functions and may have made arrangements for filling vacant posts and ranks caused by accident or death.⁶ The council of the nine Licchavi *rājās* functioned much like the Athenian *boule* and the Roman magistracy. The powers, functions and procedure of the Licchavian Assembly and its council become clearer if we note what Tacitus said of a similar people in this respect. He says of the Germani that “on small matters the chiefs consult; on larger questions the community; but with this limitation, that even the subjects, the decision of which rests with the people, are first handled by the chiefs. They meet, unless there be some unforeseen and sudden emergency, on the days set apart—when the moon ... is new or full: they regard this as the most auspicious herald for the transcation of business.”