Historical Period6c BCE
6th c. BCE (Licchavi republic); Buddha visits 5th c. BCE; Ashoka stupas 3rd c. BCE; documented by Xuanzang (7th c.), Ibn Battuta (14th c.); Buddhist pilgrimage 20th–21st c.
Vaiśālī — Buddha's favorite republic
Buddhist
Vaiśālī was the world's first republic (6th c. BCE, Licchavi clan democracy). Buddha visited multiple times — his last journey passed through Vaiśālī; the courtesan Āmrapālī offered him her mango-grove. After his parinirvāṇa, Vaiśālī held the 2nd Buddhist Council (383 BCE). Aśoka built 4 stūpas here.