Buli (Pāli: Buli) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of north-eastern South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The population of Buli, the Bulayas, were organised into a gaṇasaṅgha (an aristocratic oligarchic republic), presently referred to as the Buli Republic.[1]

Buli
c. 7th century BCEc. 5th-4th century BCE
The Mahajanapadas in the post-Vedic period. Buli was located close to the north of Magadha.
The Mahajanapadas in the post-Vedic period. Buli was located close to the north of Magadha.
CapitalAllakappa
Common languagesPrakrit
Sanskrit
Religion
Historical Vedic religion
Buddhism
Jainism
Demonym(s)Bulaya
GovernmentRepublic
Rājā 
Historical eraIron Age
• Established
c. 7th century BCE
• Conquered by Magadha
c. 5th-4th century BCE
Succeeded by
Magadha
Today part ofIndia
Nepal

Location

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The territory of the Bulayas was located near Magadha, and their neighbours were the Brāhmaṇa tribe of Veṭhadīpa-Droṇagrāma.[1]

The capital city of the Bulayas was the city of Allakappa.[1]

Name

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The exact origin of the name of the Buli tribe is unknown, although it might have been derived from the Sanskrit root bul (Sanskrit: बुल्), meaning to "cause to sink" or "to submerge."[1]

The name of the Bulaya capital of Allakappa might have been a compound of the terms alla, meaning "moist" or "wet," and kappa (kalpa in Sanskrit), meaning "anything made with a definite object in view" or "that which is fit and suitable." The name Allakappa would thus have meant "suitably damp" or "almost damp."[1]

History

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The Bulayas became Buddhists during the life of the Buddha, and after he passed away and was cremated in the city of Kusinārā, the Bulayas sent a messenger to the Mallakas of Kusinārā to demand a share of his relics.[1]

Political and social organisation

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Republican institutions

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The Bulayas were a kṣatriya tribe organised into a gaṇasaṅgha (an aristocratic oligarchic republic).[1]

The Assembly

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Like the other gaṇasaṅgha, the ruling body of the Buli republic was an Assembly of the kṣatriya elders who held the title of rājās (meaning "chiefs").[1]

The Council

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The Assembly met rarely, and the administration of the republic was instead in the hands of the Council, which was a smaller body of the Assembly, whose members were elected from the assembly. The Council met more often than the Assembly.[1]

The Consul

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The Bulaya Assembly elected for life a consul rājā who held the title of Allakappa-rājā ("chief of Alakappa"). The consul rājā administered the republic with the assistance of the Assembly and Council.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sharma 1968, p. 225-227.

Sources

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  • Sharma, J. P. (1968). Republics in Ancient India, C. 1500 B.C.-500 B.C. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill. ISBN 978-9-004-02015-3.