Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.50

c9.s4.50

At the time of the Buddha this republic was larger in territory than any other. It was almost equal in size to the largest Greek polis of Sparta, which occupied an area of 3,360 square miles.⁹ The 7,707 *rājās* appear to have been the heads of Kṣatriya families¹⁰ residing in and about Vesāli.¹¹ They were all designated *rājās*¹² and their sons were called Licchavi-*kumāras* (princes).¹³ On the basis of the meagre evidence we may suggest that the eldest son of the head of the family usually succeeded his father and was referred to as *uparājā*.¹ If his father, the *rājā*, was ill or unable to attend an assembly, the *uparājā* (viceroy) might have represented him. Thus, it would appear that only part of the adult population, though a large number, had potential political rights and held state offices. Probably the General Assembly normally met once a year during the Licchavis' annual spring season festival.²