Vajji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Vajji (or Vrijji) mahajanapada was one of the principal mahajanapadas of ancient India. The territory of the Vajji mahajanapada was located on the north of the Ganga River and extended up to the Terai region of Nepal. On the west, the Gandak River was probably the boundary between it and the Malla mahajanapada and possibly also separated it with the Kosala mahajanapada. On the east, its territory was probably extended up to the forests along the banks of the rivers, Koshi and Mahananda. The capital of this mahajanapda was Vaishali. Other important towns and villages were Kundapura or Kundagrama (a suburb of Vaishali), Bhoganagara and Hatthigama.[1]
The rulers of this mahajanapada were a confederacy of the eight clans (atthakula) of whom theVrijis, the Lichchavis, the Jnatrikass and the Videhas were the most important. The identities of the other four clans are not certain. However, in a passage of the Sutrakritanga, the Ugras, the Bhogas, the Kauravas and the Aikshvakas are associated with the Jnatris and Licchavis as the subjects of the same ruler and the members of the same assmebly.[2]
[edit] Vajji administration
It was one of the world's first democracies. It was known as Vajji Sangha (union of Vajji), which consisted of several janapadas, gramas (villages), gosthas (groups). The eminent people were chosen from each khandas (districts) to represent on their behalf in Vajji gana parishad (people's council of Vajji).These represetatives were called gana mukhyas.The chairman of the council was called Ganapramukh (head of the democracy), but often he was addressed as the king ,though his post was not dynastic.The other executives were Mahabaladhrikrit (equivalent to the minister of internal security), binishchayamatya (chief justice), dandadhikrit (other justices) etc.
Vajji's capital was Vaishali. It was a prosperous city. In the introductory portion of the Ekapanna Jataka, the Vaishali was described as encompassed by a triple wall with the three gates with watch-towers. The main gosthas were Lichchhavis, Mallas,Śakyas etc. In around 600 B.C. the Lichchhavis were disciples of Lord Mahavira, but later they shifted to Buddha Marga (Buddhism). During his life time Lord Buddha visited Vaishali several times, the vihara where he used to stay in Vaishali was called Kuthagarshala. It was gifted to him by a Ganapramukh, Chetaka.
