________________ Some Reflections on the Gaps in Vaisali's History 61 growth and evolution of Indian culture, is to be properly reconstructed, the province has to be properly exploited and several promising sites have got to be excavated. The Government of Bibar, the proposed Bihar Research Institute, the University of Patna and the Archaeological Department can so co-operate that within the next few years the entire province will be fully explored from the Archaeological point of view, and scientific excavations on a wide scale will be undertaken at least for a couple of months at one important site or the other every year. I am confident that this hope will not be a mere dream, for I have no doubt that our Chief Minister and Education Minister will never allow grass to grow under their feet. They will so organise the whole affair that the State of Bihar will rank first in India in Archaeological and Historical researches. The University of Patna will be always glad to undertake its own quota of work in this project. THE GAPS IN VAISALI HISTORY There is no doubt that the history of Vaisali is a source of great inspiration not only to Bihar but to the whole of India. It is, therefore, very unfortunate that there should be so many gaps in it. It would be desirable to draw particular atteution to them, as we have now started to excavate the city sites. Excavations are expected to throw no particular light upon the pre-Buddhist history of the city, though it is not impossible that we may be able to get the trace of some of the Caityas revered by the Licchavis before the rise of Buddhism. We hardly get any notices of the Licchavis after the annexation of their state by Ajatasatru. It is however, improbable that the Licchavis should have submitted to the imperialistic administration for a long time. It is not improbable that they may have reasserted their independence when the power of the Haryanka Dynasty declined. Under the Nandas and the Mauryas, they must have again recognised the imperial sway of Pataliputra, but it is very likely that they enjoyed local autonomy under them, as did the Yaud heyas and the Arjunayanas under the Guptas. If we are successful in spotting out a Maurya site and assiduous in excavating it, we may probably get a flood of light on the history of the Licchavis under the Mauryas. We may find that Vaisali was then a busy and prosperous centre of a Provincial Government under the Nandas and the Mauryas, as it was under the Guptas at a later period. REVIVAL OF THE REPUBLIC The power of Pataliputra declined rapidly after the death of Pusyamitra Sungha, and a number of provinces became independent. I would
