Vaishali,World’s First Republic & Archaeological Site

By George On

Vaishali, considered to be the World’s First Republic and currently an Archaeological site, is situated in the Bihar state of India.

VaishaliThe relic Stupa at Vaishali, where the ashes of Buddha are believed to be kept. Photo Source: Creative Commons

In the 6th century B.C., representatives were elected for the assembly in Vaishali. It is believed to be the World’s First Republic. Archaeologists have unearthed a massive mound with a seating capacity of 700 people, which is believed to be the World’s first legislative building. There is a Coronation tank called Abhiskek Pushkarn. It is believed that all elected representatives were anointed here before they were sworn in as members of the assembly.

Lord Gautam Buddha visited this place quite frequently, and Lord Gautama Buddha’s last sermon was at a place called Kolhua, which is very close to Vaishali. In the third century B.C., the Great Mauryan emperor Ashoka erected an Ashoka Pillar at Vaishalito commemorate this. The second great Buddhist council was held in Vaishali, a hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana (which means ‘death’) of the Gautham Buddha. Two stupas (mound-like hemispherical structures containing ashes of Gautham Buddha and his cousin and monk Ananda) were erected at Vaishali to commemorate this event. Buddha’s ashes are believed to have been kept here. A portion of Buddha’s ashes is also kept at Patna Museum.

There is a grand Buddhist monastery on the outskirts of Vaishali, where Lord Buddha often discoursed.

Lord Mahavir of Jainism was born at Kundalpur (on the outskirts of Vaishali at four kilometers distance) around 2550 years ago. Lord Mahavir lived here till he attained the age of 22. Thus, this tiny city has become a famous pilgrimage center for Buddhists and Jains.

There is a museum here that contains some of the archaeological remains received from Vaishali. Close to the museum is the stupa where the stone casket relic of the ashes of Gautham Buddha is believed to be kept.

Bawan Pokhar Temple is one of the different tourist sites in Vaishali. It is an old temple built during the Pala period on the northern banks of Bawan Pokhar.

How Do I Go to Vaishali?

Patna is the nearest airport to Vaishali at around 70 kilometers distance. Hajipur Railway station is the nearest one at 35 kilometers, while Muzaffarpur Railway station is at approximately 40 kilometers.