Licchavi (kingdom)

For the clan that lasted in Ancient India until the 4th century BCE, see Licchavi (clan).
Licchavi
Life span?
Capital Not specified
Government Not specified
History
 •  Established Enter start year
 •  Disestablished Enter end year

Licchavi (also Lichchhavi, Lichavi) was an ancient kingdom in Nepal, which existed in the Kathmandu Valley from approximately 400 to 750 CE. Centuries earlier, at the start of the Buddhist era a powerful republic known as Licchavi existed in what is today Kathmandu. They originated from Vaishali in modern Bihar.[1] The language of Licchavi inscriptions is Sanskrit, and the particular script used is closely related to official Gupta scripts, suggesting that the other major kingdoms of the Classical Period to the south were a significant cultural influence. This was likely through Mithila - the southern part of modern Nepal. The term 'Licchavi' probably derives from Rikshavi possibly Sanskritized to Rkshvavati. Riksha or Rksha in Sanskrit means Star. A table of the evolution of certain Gupta characters used in Licchavi inscriptions prepared by Gautamavajra Vajrācārya can be found online.[2]

Records

It is believed that the Lichhavi, having lost their political fortune in Bihar,[3] came to Nepal, attacking and defeating the last Kirat King Gasti. In the Buddhist Pali canon, the Licchavi are mentioned in a number of discourses, most notably the Licchavi Sutta,[4] the popular Ratana Sutta[5] and the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu.[6] The Mahayana Vimalakirti Sutra also spoke of the city of Vaisali as where the lay Licchavi bodhisattva Vimalakirti was residing.[7]

The earliest known physical record of the kingdom is an inscription of Manadeva 1, which dates from 464. It mentions three preceding rulers, suggesting that the Licchavi dynasty began in the late 4th century.

Government

Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622-633) of the Nepalese Licchhavi Dynasty. Obverse. The inscription above the winged horse is Sri Jishnu Guptasya
Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622-633) of the Nepalese Licchhavi Dynasty. Reverse

The Licchavi were ruled by a Maharaja ("great king"), who was aided by a prime minister, in charge of the military and of other ministers.

Nobles, known as samanta influenced the court whilst simultaneously managing their own landholdings and militia.

At one point, between approximately 605 and 641, a prime minister called Amsuvarman actually assumed the throne.

The population provided land taxes and conscript labour (vishti) to support the government. Most local administration was performed by village heads or leading families.

Economy

The economy was agricultural, relying on rice and other grains as staples. Villages (grama) were grouped into dranga for administration. Lands were owned by the royal family, nobles, temples or groups of Brahmans. Trade was also very important, with many settlements positioned along trading routes. Tibet and India were both trading partners.

Geography

Domain

Settlements already filled the entire valley during the Licchavi period. Further settlement was made east toward Banepa, west toward Tisting, and northwest toward present-day Gorkha.

Rulers

The following list was adapted from The Licchavi Kings, by Tamot & Alsop,[8] and is approximate only, especially with respect to dates.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4ff2gk27p9oC&pg=PA437&dq=Licchavis+conquered+Nepal+bihar&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Licchavis%20conquered%20Nepal%20bihar&f=false
  2. ↑ Gautamavajra Vajrācārya, "Recently Discovered Inscriptions of Licchavi Nepal", Kathmandu Kailash - Journal of Himalayan Studies. Volume 1, Number 2, 1973. (pp. 117-134)
  3. ↑ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4ff2gk27p9oC&pg=PA437&dq=Licchavis+conquered+Nepal+bihar&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Licchavis%20conquered%20Nepal%20bihar&f=false
  4. ↑ "Licchavi Sutta," translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2004).
  5. ↑ "Ratana Sutta: The Jewel Discourse," translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera (1999).
  6. ↑ Petavatthu, Fourth Chapter, in Pali.
  7. ↑ Thurman, Robert. "VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA SUTRA". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Tamot, Kashinath and Alsop, Ian. "A Kushan-period Sculpture, The Licchavi Kings", Asianart.com
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.