Introduction
A significant Mahajanapada that existed between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE was Vajji. Its political system, in which kings were chosen by the populace rather than by hereditary succession, is what makes it special. The Vajjis had a republican system of governance at that time when the majority of the kingdoms were run by autocrats. There were eight distinct clans in the confederation. The Videhas, Lichhavis, Jantrikas, and Kshatrikas were the most popular of them. And the Gana-sanghas was the name of the political party in Vajji. One of the strong rulers of Magadha, Ajatshatru, later conquered the capital of this Mahajanapada.
Capital of Vajji
Among the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the Vajji occupied an important position due to its social and political arrangements. Some of these arrangements are as follows:
- There was a democratic type of government system at that time in the Vajji K, which was a significant Mahajanapada then.
- By rejecting the Vedic philosophy of the Varna system, the kingdom was able to achieve greater unity and equality among the people.
- As opposed to Magadha, the republican society was stratified into two parts: royalty (Kshatriyas) and slaves (Dasa-Karmakar’s).
- The capital of Vajji, Vaishali, was surrounded by strong fortifications, protecting it against enemy attacks.
Peculiarities of Vajji
- The most significant feature about Vajji is that it was the first republican state in history to be located in India.
- Its political system was based on the “Gana-Sanghas” system. A group of rulers chosen by the entire populace made up the Gana-sangha.
- The sangha’s members were each given the title of king. Together, they carried out all rites and participated in assemblies to discuss and vote on issues affecting the welfare of the state.
- These assemblies were closed off to women and slaves.
- Vajji’s status as a Gana-Sanghas persisted for a long time before the Gupta emperors conquered the state.
- This Mahajanapada included both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. Even in Buddhist scriptures, we can find data concerning the operation of Gana sanghas.
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Gautama Buddha and the Magadha-Vajji War
The influence of Gautam Buddha in the Magadha-Vajji battle is a topic of debate. Even though Buddha often shied away from social and political matters, it is thought that King Ajatshatru dispatched his minister to consult with Buddha. Buddha explained to him the seven noble truths, which made Vajj a powerful kingdom that was challenging to subdue. Buddha intended to avert the conflict between Vajjia and Magadha in this manner. However, Ajarshatru utilized the Buddha’s guidance and discovered a strategy to overthrow the Vajji empire.
Magadha – Vajji War and the Consequences
Between 484 and 468 BCE, a conflict between the Magadha and Vajji kingdoms erupted. This conflict pitted the Licchavis confederation of Vajji against the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha. It was rumoured that a town close to the Ganges river was home to a diamond mine. The Licchavis of Vajji and the ruler Ajatashatru were about to split that equally. However, Ajatashatru fell short of the goal, and the Vajjian people assumed full responsibility. As Ajatashatru grew restless, he reasoned that it would be impossible to battle the entire Vaishali at once. He, therefore, decided to act first by dissolving the unity of the Vajji kingdom’s Gana-sanghas.
To learn how to vanquish the Vaishali, he sent his minister to the Buddha. The seven secrets of the Vaishali city and the Vajjis were revealed by Buddha. He claimed that residents of the city of Vaishali were extremely timely, respectful to their elders, and considerate of women in their community. The Vaishali city’s daughters were very strong. Ajatashatru sent his prime minister to join the alliance of the Vajji city after learning about its secrets. He was able to divide the Mahajanapada in a short amount of time, and after a protracted conflict that lasted 16 years, he eventually annexed this state.
The Vajjians made every attempt to battle Magadha, even though they were ultimately vanquished during this conflict. They shut the main gate and surrounded themselves with the city’s defences. Vaishali was surrounded by high, sturdy walls. As a result, Ajatashatru was unable to knock down the wall. Finally, the Magdhan army was able to breach Vaishali’s defences and invade the city. When the Magadhan people defeated the Vajji, the fight was finally over. The Magadha empire subsequently annexed the Vajji Kingdom.
Summary
A significant Mahajanapada that existed between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE was the Vajji. There was a democratic type of government system at that time in the Vajji Kingdom. Its political system was based on the “Gana-Sanghas” system. The capital of Vajji, Vaishali, was surrounded by strong fortifications, protecting it against enemy attacks. Between 484 and 468 BCE, a conflict between the Magadha and Vajji kingdoms erupted. The Vajjians made every attempt to battle Magadha, even though they were ultimately vanquished during this conflict. The Magadha empire subsequently annexed the Vajji Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do you understand about Mahajanapada? Give an Example.
Ans. The places where the Indo-Aryan tribes resided during the later Vedic period came to be known as Mahajanapadas, or “great and powerful kingdoms.” An example of Mahajanapada is Vajji.
2. List Sixteen Sixth-Century BCE Mahajanapadas.
Ans. Gandahar, Kamboja, Magadha, Vajji, Matsya, Kuru, Chedi, Malla, Kosala, Shurasena, Ashmaka, Anga, Kashi, Avanti, Vatsa, and Panchala are the sixteen sixth century BCE Mahajanpadas.
3. Who was Ajatshatru?
Ans. The second strong monarch of Magadha was Ajatshatru, the son of Bimbisara. He had a reputation for winning wars. Among the kingdoms he overthrew were Vaishali, Kasi, and Kosala. Magadha rose to prominence under him as the most powerful kingdom in northern India.
4. What is a Republic? Name a few Historic Indian Republics called Mahajanapadas.
Ans. Republic is a form of governance in which the ruling class is chosen by the populace rather than by hereditary descent. Malla, Vajji, Kuru, and Kamboja were a few of the republic’s mahajanapadas in history.