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The Lichchavi Kingdom (C 450 CE to C 750 CE)

About The Licchavi Kingdom

  • The Lichchavis were the most powerful of the eight clans of Vajji janapad.
  • Their capital was at Vaishali (Bihar). 

  • They were an Indo-Aryan tribe who conquered the territory of the Maha-Videha kingdom and temporarily occupied the Videha capital of Mithila.
  • Given to rising power of Magadha empire, Lichchavis established their republic in the southern part of Maha-Videha kingdom until the marginal location of Vaishali, which was their largest city and capital.
  • To the south of Vaishali was situated the kingdom of Magadha with which relations of Vaishali were initially good.
  • Chellana, the Lichchavi princes from Vaishali was married to Magadha king Bimbisara. Chellana was the second wife of Bimbisara. She gave birth to Ajatshatru, who did not care about relations and invaded and annexed Vaishali in Magadha empire.
Republican Constitution of The Lichchavis
  • According to Panini, the janapadas (territorial states) were generally headed by ekraja or one king. There were nine one-king janapadas.
  • But Panini also speaks of the samgha or multi-ruler janapadas which were republics.
  • The Lichchavis and the Shakyas had republic system of governance. 
  • In the republics, real power lay in the hands of tribal oligarchies.
  • In the republic of the Lichchavis of Vaishali, 7707 rajas sat in the assembly held in the motehall. 
  • Administrative machinery of Lichchavi consisted of raja, uparaja (vice-king), senapati (commander), and bhandagarika (treasurer).

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