Vaishali, ancient city in India, in northwestern Bihar state, at the site of what is now Basarh village on the Gandak River. Vaishali was an important site for Buddhists and the birthplace of Vardhamana Jnatiputra, or Nataputta Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
Excavations have revealed that Vaishali was a flourishing city during the Maurya dynasty (321?-184 BC) and Gupta dynasty (AD 320-550?). It was the capital of the Licchavi republic, one of several tribal republics that once flourished in northern India. Such republics operated as some of the first formal democratic structures in the world, with representatives of the tribe meeting in a large assembly hall, presided over by a nonhereditary chief or raja, and debating and resolving issues through consensus or, if needed, by voting. A large mound excavated at Vaishali is believed to be an example of one of these ancient meeting places.
