[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.s5.96 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.96 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.96 - **Language:** English ### [c9.s5.96](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.96) We are not certain about the exact nature of the "fragrant-material" mentioned by Buddhaghosa. Kauṭilya does mention some such liquids and ores in his discussion on conducting mining operations and manufactures.¹ This fails to explain exactly what the fragrant material was, but nevertheless makes it highly probable that such a valuable substance existed which either oozed from "the slopes of well-known mountains" or was an ore obtainable from the "plains or slopes of mountains." The possession of such a mountain or plain might well have been a bone of contention between two powers, though there are certainly no hills of appreciable size on the banks of the Ganges adjoining Magadha. - [Previous: c9.s5.95](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.95) - [Next: c9.s5.97](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.97) - [Up: c9.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.96](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c9.s5.96) · Pramāṇa