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The Lichchhavis (also Lichchavi, Licchavi) were an important member of the Vajjian confederacy. The early Indian traditions describe the Lichchhavis as Kshatriyas. Scholars reject the theory of foreign origin of the Lichchhavis on the strength of these traditions. But they were degraded to the status of fallen Kshatriyas due to their championship of non-Brahmanical creeds like Jainism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism.
Rise of the Licchavi Power
In the 6th century B.C. the Licchavi power was firmly established. Though the Lichchhavis belonged to the Vajji confederacy, they had autonomous status. Their capital was Vaisali.
Originally, they seem to have an independent status. The Buddhist records preserve the names of important Licchavi leaders among whom the name of Chetaka deserves special mention. Chetaka’s sister Trisala was the mother of Mahavira, the preacher of Jainism. Chetaka’s daughter Chellana was married to king Bimbisara of Magadha. The Lichchhavis thus appear to be highly connected.
The Magadha-Licchavi Struggle-fall of the Licchavis
The Licchavis turned to be great rivals of Magadhan Monarchy. In the reign of Bimbisara of Magadha, they invaded the Magadhan kingdom. In the reign of Ajatasatru, a protracted war began between Magadha and the Lichchhavis. The latter were united with the Vajjis in a confederacy. In the struggle that followed the Lichchhavis and the Vajjis were destroyed.
The causes of the Magadha-Lichchavi war were many. Ajatasatru wanted to take revenge on the Lichchhavis, as their chief Chetaka had refused to extradite Ajatasatru’s step brothers. They had escaped to Vaisali (Licchavi capital) with the royal elephant and family jewels and were granted political asylum. The real cause of the Magadha-Licchavi war was the aggressive imperialism of Magadha against the neighboring republic. The war continued for sixteen years. The Lichchhavis built a mighty alliance with the Vajjis and the other thirty six Ganarajas and also with the kingdom of Kasi-Kosala against Magadha. But the ministers of Ajatasatru sowed seeds of discord among the members of the anti-Magadhan confederacy and destroyed their unity. Ultimately the Vajjian confederacy was destroyed by Ajatasatru. The Vajji territory was annexed to Magadha.
The Licchavi’s republican constitution
There were two Systems of government in the Eastern region. The states of Anga, Magadha, Vatsa etc. were monarchies. Those of Kasf, Kaulala, Videha etc. on the other band were republics. Two of these republics were quite well known, the Republics of the Vajjis or Licchavis and that of the Mallas. Republics were later developments of monarchies and the precursors of democracies. The Licchavis founded their Republic with a view to consolidating their political power. The credit for its foundation goes to Cetaka, who was a wise and valorous king of Videha. He was also the President of the whole Republic. This Republic was the union of eighteen political units, nine of which belonged to the Licchavis and the remaining nine to the Mallas.
The Kings of each unit comprising the Vajji Republic were called Gananayakas. The council of the Gananayakas was called Gana Sabha or Republican Council. It made the constitution and the laws. The individual units were governed in accordance with the constitution of the Gana or the Union. The Vajji Republic was rich and well developed in the fields of Politics, Economics, Society and Religion. The monarchists were highly jealous of this powerful Republic. They were bent upon destroying it. But they were helpless in the face of the powerful Vajjian army.
Videha with its capital at Vaisali was the biggest unit. Vaisali was divided into three zones. The first zone consisted of seven thousand residential houses with golden domes. The middle of the town consisted of fourteen thousand houses with silver domes. The third zone consisted of twenty-one thousand houses with copper domes.
These zones were inhabited by the high, middle and lower classes respectively. Vaisali was not only the capital of the Licchavis, it was the capital of the entire Vajji Republic. It was enclosed within four city walls, each at a distance of two miles from the others. It had several ramparts and entrance-gates. The Republic was a confederation of six clans viz. the Ugras, the Bhojas, the Rajanyas, ihe Iksvakus (the Licchavis), the Jnatasand the Kauravas.,
The Licchavis were an ancient Indian clan that ruled over the Vajji confederacy in the Ganges Plain. They were one of the most powerful and influential clans in India during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.
The Licchavis are believed to have originated in the region of Mithila, which is now part of Bihar state in India. They were a warrior clan and were known for their military prowess. The Licchavis were also skilled in Trade and Commerce.
The Licchavis came into conflict with the Vajjis, another powerful clan, in the 6th century BCE. The two clans fought a series of wars, which eventually led to the defeat of the Licchavis. The Vajjis then absorbed the Licchavi territory into their own confederacy.
The Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born into the Licchavi clan. He lived in the Licchavi capital of Vaishali for many years and taught his teachings to the Licchavis. The Buddha’s teachings had a profound impact on the Licchavis, and they became one of the most important patrons of Buddhism.
The Licchavis continued to rule over the Vajji confederacy for several centuries. However, they began to decline in power in the 4th century BCE. This decline was due to a number of factors, including internal strife, external threats, and the rise of other powerful kingdoms.
The Licchavis were finally defeated by the Nanda dynasty in the 4th century BCE. The Nandas absorbed the Licchavi territory into their own empire. The Licchavis never regained their former power and influence.
The Licchavis left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were one of the most powerful and influential clans in India during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. The Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born into the Licchavi clan. The Licchavis also played a significant role in the development of Indian art and architecture.
The Licchavis were a fascinating and complex people. They were a warrior clan, but they were also skilled in trade and commerce. They were patrons of the arts and sciences. They were a powerful and influential clan, but they were eventually defeated by the Nanda dynasty. The Licchavis left a lasting legacy on Indian history.
Who were the Licchavis?
The Licchavis were an ancient Indian clan that ruled over the Vaishali republic in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. They were one of the most powerful and influential clans in India at the time, and their kingdom was a major center of trade and culture.
What was the Vaishali republic?
The Vaishali republic was an ancient Indian republic that was ruled by the Licchavis. It was located in the modern-day state of Bihar, India. The Vaishali republic was one of the most powerful and influential republics in India at the time, and it was a major center of trade and culture.
What were the achievements of the Licchavis?
The Licchavis were a very successful and powerful clan. They were able to conquer and rule over a large territory, and they were also able to establish a strong and stable government. The Licchavis were also patrons of the arts and sciences, and they were instrumental in the development of Indian culture.
What were the causes of the decline of the Licchavis?
The Licchavis declined in the 4th century BCE due to a number of factors, including internal strife, external threats, and the rise of new powers in the region. The Licchavis were eventually conquered by the Nanda dynasty in the 4th century BCE.
What is the legacy of the Licchavis?
The Licchavis left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were one of the most powerful and influential clans in India at the time, and their kingdom was a major center of trade and culture. The Licchavis were also patrons of the arts and sciences, and they were instrumental in the development of Indian culture.
- The Licchavis were a powerful clan in ancient India. They were known for their military prowess and their wealth.
- The Licchavis were originally from the kingdom of Videha, but they later migrated to the kingdom of Magadha.
- The Licchavis were a major power in the region for centuries. They were allies of the Buddha and they played a significant role in the development of Buddhism.
- The Licchavis eventually declined in power and they were eventually conquered by the Nanda dynasty.
- The Licchavis were a fascinating and important people in ancient Indian history. They left a lasting legacy on the region and their story is still told today.
Here are some MCQs about the Licchavis:
The Licchavis were a powerful clan in ancient India. They were known for their:
(A) Military prowess
(B) Wealth
(C) Both A and BThe Licchavis were originally from the kingdom of:
(A) Videha
(B) Magadha
(C) Both A and BThe Licchavis were a major power in the region for centuries. They were allies of the:
(A) Buddha
(B) Mahavira
(C) Both A and BThe Licchavis eventually declined in power and they were eventually conquered by the:
(A) Nanda dynasty
(B) Mauryan dynasty
(C) Both A and BThe Licchavis were a fascinating and important people in ancient Indian history. They left a lasting legacy on the region and their story is still told today. True or False?
(A) True
(B) False