DDK HistoryF.p65 - CSIR

6.4J DESTRUCTION OF THE LICCHAVIS 161
Asoka; and after the Buddha’s death, for it contains his relics. Later
Ceylonese rulers (who sought a match into the family made famous by
the Buddha), discovered one or more Sakyan brides. The fact is that the
Sakyans caused to exist as a tribe. The real cause of military action was
that even semi-independent tribes could not be tolerated without
danger to autocracy, and to new forms of production.
Similar, though more difficult, was the action of Ajatasatru against
the Licchavis, who had made a confederacy of some sort with the Mallas.
The traders at the river-route crossing complained that tolls had to be
paid twice, for both the Maga-dhan king’s men and the Licchavis
collected them. The first step was the foundation of Pataliputra (Patna)
later the capital of the Magadhan empire. Originally a stockade, the city
layout was projected during the last year of the Buddha’s life. As it
was at the junction of the land-route with the river, and the Son then
joined the Ganges at that point, a complete blockade was thus set up.
The next step was to sow internal dissension among the Licchavis, which.
(according to the story) was done by a brahmin minister whose
nickname Vassakara derived from this feat. He repeated the story of
Zopyrus in Herodotos (Book III, end), by going over to the Licchavis in
simulated disgrace from the Magadhan court. They received him with
courtesy, which he repaid by secretly telling false tales to each against
the othera Soon, the tribal sabha assembly ceased to function.
AjSta&tru had only to march into Vesali,
Fig. 21, Punch-marks of Ajatasatru (?).
according to Buddhist tradition. The Jains report a hard-fought battle.
Whether the details are true or not, Vasali does not seem to have
suffered the destruction observed at the Mallian sites, Pava and Kusinara.
The Malla confederates must have been systematically destroyed at the
same time. Cullavagga 12.1.1 speaks of Vajjian (Licchavi) almsmen
and lay followers at Vesili, a hundred years after Ajatasatru. Neither