Vaishali Gantantra Ka Itihas

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Vaishali Gantantra ka Itihas" by Rajmal Jain:

This text, "The History of the Vaishali Republic," by Rajmal Jain, is presented as an essential component for understanding the history of Jain political science. The author highlights the profound connection between Jainism and the ancient republic of Vaishali.

Key Points from the Text:

• Jain and Vaishali Connection:

  • Chetak: The elected president (popularly known as 'King') of Vaishali, Chetak, was the father of Trishala, the revered mother of Lord Mahavir. (According to the Shvetambara tradition, Trishala was Chetak's sister).
  • Siddharth: Lord Mahavir's father, Siddharth, was the ruler of Kundagrama, a suburb of Vaishali. Therefore, Mahavir was also known as 'Vaishalik' or 'Vaishaliya'.
  • Mahavir's Stay: After renouncing the world, Lord Mahavir spent six of his 42 Chaturmasas (monsoon retreats) in Vaishali. According to the Kalpasutra (122), Mahavir spent twelve Chaturmasas in Vaishali.

• Lord Buddha and Vaishali:

  • Affection for Vaishali: The text emphasizes that Vaishali was not only dear to Mahavir but also held a special place in the heart of Lord Buddha.
  • Buddha's Stays and Teachings: Buddha stayed and spent Chaturmasas in Vaishali multiple times. Before his Nirvana, he viewed Vaishali for the last time and told his disciple Ananda, "Ananda! This will be my last visit to this city."
  • Establishment of Bhikkhuni Sangha: It was in Vaishali that Buddha first established the order of nuns (Bhikkhuni Sangha) and, at the request of Ananda, admitted Gautami into his order.
  • Inspiration for Sangha Structure: Buddha drew inspiration for the structure of the Bhikkhu Sangha (monk assembly) from the republican systems of Vaishali. Rahul Sankrityayan is quoted stating that the voting (Chhanda) and administrative methods of the Bhikkhu Sangha imitated the Lichhavi (Vaishali) republic.
  • Seven Rules of Prosperity: Buddha described seven rules (Aparigraha Dharma) to the minister of Ajatashatru, king of Magadha, who wished to destroy the Vajji confederacy. Buddha also exhorted the Bhikkhu Sangha to follow these rules.

• Importance of Buddhist Texts:

  • Rich Historical Records: The text credits Buddhist scriptures for providing detailed historical accounts of Vaishali's functioning, making it a "Recorded Republic" according to Kashi Prasad Jaiswal. This is contrasted with most republics, whose existence is inferred from coins, grammatical rules, or scattered mentions.
  • Earliest Republic with Evidence: Jaiswal also declared it the "earliest republic" for which written evidence exists and whose operational methods are glimpsed in Buddha's dialogues.

• Chronology and Mahajanapadas:

  • Existence: The Vaishali Republic existed around 2600 years ago. Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana about 2500 years ago at the age of 72.
  • Pre-Vaishali Republics: The text acknowledges a lack of detailed information about republics before Vaishali, with scholars inferring their existence from linguistic clues.
  • Sixteen Mahajanapadas: The Anguttara Nikaya lists sixteen Mahajanapadas before the 6th century BCE, including Kashi, Kosala, Magadha, Vajji (Vriji), and Malla. The Vajji confederacy arose after the fall of the Videha empire.
  • Jain Texts' Lists: The Bhagavati Sutra provides a different list of Janapadas, with Kashi, Kosala, Magadha, and Vajji being among the most powerful.

• Structure of the Vaishali Republic:

  • The Vajji Mahasangha: The Vaishali Republic was a confederation named the 'Vajji' Mahasangha, with key constituent clans being the Jnatrikas, Lichhavis, and Vrijis.
  • Capital and Dominance: Vaishali was the capital. Due to the dominance of the Lichhavis, the confederation was also known as the 'Lichhavi Sangha', and later, due to the popularity of the capital, as the Vaishali Republic.
  • Eight Clans: The Vajji Mahasangha included eight clans: Videha, Jnatrika, Lichhavi, Vriji, Ugra, Bhoga, Kaurava, and Ikshvaku. Vriji and Lichhavi were the most prominent.
  • Vajji and Lichhavi Interchangeability: Bharat Singh Upadhyay suggests that distinguishing between Vajji and Lichhavi is difficult, as 'Vajji' often served as a common term for the republican confederacies like the Lichhavis. Buddha himself used the terms interchangeably. The text agrees with this, asserting that Buddha's references to the Vajji likely referred to the Lichhavis.

• Mentions in Other Texts:

  • Panini and Kautilya: Mentions by Panini (500 BCE) and Kautilya (300 BCE) in their works like 'Ashtadhyayi' and 'Arthashastra' indicate the importance and fame of the Vajji (Vaishali, Lichhavi) republic. Kautilya distinguished between types of Sanghas, classifying those like the Lichhavis and Vrijis as living like kings.

• Founding and Expansion:

  • Vishal's Role: According to the Ramayana and Vishnu Purana, the city of Vaishali was founded by Vishal, son of Ikshvaku. It was also known as 'Vishala' due to its large size.
  • Prosperity and Size: In Buddha's time, Vaishali extended for nine miles, was prosperous, densely populated, and adorned with tall buildings, palaces, gardens, and lotus ponds.
  • Growth and Defenses: Due to increasing population pressure, Vaishali was expanded three times and enclosed by three walls. Tibetan accounts also confirm its prosperity, describing districts with houses of gold, silver, and copper, indicating a class-based social structure. The population is estimated at 168,000.

• Territory and Residents:

  • Boundaries: The Ganga River separated it from the Magadha empire. The Lichhavi territory extended to Nepal. The Vajji region encompassed parts of modern Champaran and Muzaffarpur districts, most of Darbhanga, and specific police areas.
  • Archaeological Evidence: Excavations at Basarh have confirmed local beliefs about King Vishal's fort. A coin bearing the inscription "Vaishali's traveling official" was found, along with medieval statues of Jain Tirthankaras.
  • Dominant Class: The main population segment was the Kshatriyas, who were described as strong supporters of non-Brahmanical traditions like Jainism and Buddhism, not showing friendliness towards orthodox Hinduism. Manu Smriti refers to them as "Vratya Rajanya," where 'Vratya' is linked to Jainism due to the observance of five vows. The text refutes the theory of Lichhavis having Tibetan origins, identifying them as Indian Kshatriyas who later migrated to Nepal.

• Etymology of 'Lichhavi':

  • 'Lichhu' Origin: The term 'Lichhavi' is derived from 'Lichhu', possibly a clan name. A Buddhist legend describes twins born from flesh-like lumps who were skinless ('nichchhavi') and later formed into children, leading to their segregation ('vajjitavva') and eventual ruling of the 'Vajji' region.

• Seven Principles (Aparihaniya Dhamma):

  • Ajatashatru's Threat: When Ajatashatru, son of Bimbisara, planned to attack the Lichhavis, he sent his minister Vassakara to Buddha to inquire about their invincibility.
  • Buddha's Explanation: Buddha explained to Vassakara that the Vajji (Lichhavis) would remain prosperous as long as they adhered to seven principles:
    1. Regular and frequent assemblies.
    2. Unity in assembly, progress, and action.
    3. Respect for established laws and traditions.
    4. Respect for elders and leaders.
    5. Respect for women and no coercion against them.
    6. Respect for religious sites and traditions.
    7. Support and protection for the righteous (Arhants).
  • Vassakara's Response: Vassakara acknowledged that Magadha could not conquer the Vajji through war unless their unity was broken by diplomacy.
  • Application to Bhikkhu Sangha: Buddha later outlined similar seven principles for the Bhikkhu Sangha, highlighting the efficacy of Vaishali's republican system.

• Governance System:

  • Key Officials: The main officials were the King, Up-king, Commander, and Treasurer, likely forming a council.
  • Central Assembly: The central parliament met in the Santhagara (assembly hall).
  • Power Structure: Governing power resided with the 7707 members (referred to as 'kings'). Some scholars suggest the term 'Kula Tantra' (clan rule) due to the large number of rulers.
  • Criticism: The Jitavisthala-kavya criticizes the lack of respect for elders and the self-importance of individuals, with everyone considering themselves a 'king'.
  • Disagreement on 'Kula': While some scholars like R.D. Bhandarkar suggest Vaishali was a confederation of clans, Jaiswal and Altekar disagree, stating that the term 'Kula' is not necessary and that these states had moved beyond a tribal level, functioning as states, republics, and unions.

• Nature of the Republic:

  • Not Modern Democracy: Scholars like Altekar acknowledge that Vaishali, like other ancient Indian republics, was not a democracy in the modern sense, as supreme power was not vested in all adult citizens.
  • Comparison to Ancient Greece/Rome: Nevertheless, they can be called republics, similar to ancient Greek and Roman states, where sovereign power was shared by a majority, not by a single person or minority.
  • "King in Every Home": The Mahabharata's description of "a king in every home" is interpreted as referring to smaller republics or Kshatriya clans who established rule. This is compared to early American colonists having certain privileges.
  • Analogy to Jagirdars: The 7707 kings are likened to independent administrators of various regions or constituencies, similar to 'Jagirdars' in princely states.

• Foreign Relations:

  • Council of Nine: Foreign relations were managed by a council of nine members, described in Buddhist and Jain literature.
  • Alliances: To counter Ajatashatru's invasion, they formed a confederation with neighboring states like Navamalla and eighteen Kashi-Kosala kingdoms.

• Justice System:

  • Eight-Clan Assembly: The justice system was overseen by the 'Ashta-kula Sabha'.
  • Process: Jaiswal describes a detailed process involving 'Vinishchaya Mahamātras' (regular courts for minor and civil cases), 'Vohārika' (appellate courts), 'Sūtradhāra' (high court judges), and finally, the 'Ashta-kulaka' for final appeals. Citizens could be declared innocent, and ministerial decisions were final if all courts found someone guilty.

• Legislature:

  • Inferred Practices: While direct evidence of legislative discussions is scarce, scholars infer practices from texts like Cullavagga and Vinaya Pitaka.
  • Voting and Procedure: The Shakya people voted on matters of surrender. Voting slips were called 'Chhandas', quorum 'Ganapuraka', and seat organizers 'Asana-Prajnapana'. Lack of quorum rendered meetings irregular. Proposals were made through 'Jñapti', and acceptance was sought by asking the assembly three to four times, with silence implying consent.
  • Majority Rule: Decisions were made by majority vote, and votes were counted by 'Shalaka Grahaka'. The text mentions complaints of irrelevant speeches.
  • Sophistication: The detailed terminology and procedures indicate a high level of sophistication and experience accumulated over centuries.

• End of the Vaishali Republic:

  • Ajatashatru's Invasion: The invasion by Magadha's Ajatashatru was a fatal blow. Despite his mother being Chetak's daughter, his ambition led to Vaishali's downfall.
  • Division and Subversion: Ajatashatru's minister, Vassakara, infiltrated Vaishali and sowed seeds of discord among the people, leading to the destruction of the great republic due to personal ambitions and internal strife. The Mahabharata also attributes the destruction of republics to similar causes like greed and envy.
  • Causes of Invasion: Various reasons are cited for the attack, including Ajatashatru's desire for an eighteen-stringed necklace worn by Vaishali's elephant, or a dispute over toll collection on the Ganga.
  • Preparation and Duration: Ajatashatru made extensive preparations, establishing Pataliputra on the Ganga. Jain accounts suggest the war lasted sixteen years, after which the Vaishali Republic became part of the Magadha empire.

• Legacy of the Lichhavis:

  • Continued Influence: The influence of the Lichhavis did not end with the fall of Vaishali. They remained active in Nepal until the 7th century CE, and the Gupta emperor Samudragupta took pride in being called 'Lichhavi-Dauhitra' (grandson of the Lichhavis).
  • Role in History: Their role remained significant for over a thousand years.

• Origin of Diwali:

  • Mahavir's Nirvana: The text connects the origin of Diwali to the lighting festivals organized by the Navmall and Sindhavis after Mahavir's Nirvana. Kashi, Kosala, eighteen federal kings, Navmattras, and Nav-Lichhavis celebrated a 'light festival' on the second day (Dwitiya) of the moonrise, stating that with the "lamp of knowledge extinguished, they would illuminate the world with physical light."

• Modern Relevance:

  • Inspiration for India: Modern India can draw inspiration from Vaishali, especially in the context of the 2500th Mahavir Nirvana celebration.
  • Cultural Focus: Many cultural activities are centered around Vaishali, inspiring tributes like that of the poet-laureate Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who hailed Vaishali as the protector of people and the mother of democracy.
  • Moral Lesson: The text concludes with a quote from "Vardhaman Shiksha Saptashati" about the destructive nature of greed, a lesson that resonates with the fall of republics.