Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 112

LATER VAIDEHAS
known by the name of Dandakya, making a lascivious attempt on a Brahmana maiden, perished along with his kingdom and relations; so also Karala, the Vaideha."1 Karala, the Vaideha, who perished along with his kingdom and relations, must be identified with Kalāra (Karala) who, according to the Nimi Jataka, brought the line of Videhan kings to an end. The downfall of the Vaidehas reminds us of the fate of the Tarquins who were expelled from Rome for a similar crime. As in Rome, so in Videha, the overthrow of the monarchy was followed by the rise of a republic-the Vajjian Confederacy.
There is reason to believe that the Kasi people had a share in the overthrow of the Videhan monarchy. Already in the time of the great Janaka, Ajataśatru, king of Kasi, could hardly conceal his jealousy of the Videhan king's fame. The passage "yatha Kaśyo va Vaideho vā Ugraputra ujjyam dhanur adhijyam kritva dvau vāṇavantau sapatnativyādhinau haste kritv-opatishthed" probably refers to frequent struggles between the heroes of Kasi and Videha. The Mahabharata 3 refers to the old story (itihasam puratanam) of a great battle between Pratardana, king of Kasi according to the Ramayana, and Janaka, King of Mithila. It is stated in the Pali commentary Param-attha-jotika 5 that the Lichchhavis who succeeded Janaka's dynasty as the strongest political power in North
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1 The evidence of the Arthaśastra is confirmed by that of the Buddhacharita of Asva-ghosha (IV. 80). "And so Karāla Janaka, when he carried off the Brahmana's daughter, incurred loss of caste thereby, but he would not give up his love."
2 Brihad, Upanishad, III, 8. 2. "As the Ugra's son from Käsi or from Videha strings the slackened bow and arises with two foe-piercing arrows in his hand" (Winternitz, Ind. Lit. I. 229 wlth slight emendations).
3 XII. 99. 1-2.
4 VII, 48. 15.
5 Vol. 1, pp. 158-65.