[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968) › c9.s5.63 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.63 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.63 - **Language:** English ### [c9.s5.63](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.63) We know from the Pāli and Prākrit sources that there was hostility and subsequent war between the Vajjians and Vedehiputto Ajātasattu. Professor Basham has shown that it was a long and chequered affair and that it may have taken ten or eleven years for Ajātasattu to subdue his foes.² The Buddhist and the Jaina sources give two different stories to account for the reasons that led to mutual hostility and subsequent war and diplomacy. The \*Nirayāvalikā\*³ contains the account of a splendid rutting elephant who was called "Sprinkler" (\*Seyaṇaä\*) because he was in the habit of sprinkling bathing ladies of the Magadhan court with water from his trunk. This elephant, together with a priceless necklace that was called \*aṭṭhārasavaṅka\* because it had curves at 18 points, was given by King Seṇiya (Bimbisāra of the Buddhist texts) to his younger son Vehalla, the governor of Campā. - [Previous: c9.s5.62](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.62) - [Next: c9.s5.64](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.64) - [Up: c9.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5) ## Cites (1) - [Nirayāvaliyāo](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.sveta.upanga.8) — Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.63](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.63) · Pramāṇa