Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.151

c9.s5.151

That the Licchavis survived is also attested to by Pāṇini, who refers to them both as Vṛjis and Licchavis.⁴ Kauṭilya refers to their survival when he mentions them along with other “communities living by the title of *rājās*” (*rājaśabdopajīvinaḥ*), by both designations (Vṛjis and Lichhavis).⁵ Kauṭilya also speaks of the matchless military strength and enviable concord of the republican peoples.⁶ But a century or two later, the great Hindu lawgiver, Manu, brands only the Licchavis as *Vrāṭya-Kṣatriyas* and makes no mention of the Vṛjis.⁷ It is over a century before the Licchavis next appear, and for the last time, in the Gupta records.⁸ The marriage of Candra Gupta I to the Licchavi princess Kumāradevī is commemorated by the Gupta gold coins⁹ and Samudra Gupta’s much-loved epithet *Licchavi-dauhitra* found in almost all the earlier Gupta inscriptions.¹ This not only proves their survival but accords to them a place of honour during the golden period of ancient India. The Gupta seals and ornaments found in the remains of Vesāli and the rise of a Licchavi dynasty in Nepal indicate that the chief component of the Vajjian Confederacy retained its individuality for some 900 years after their war with, and defeat by, Ajātasattu.²