Vajji
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Vajji (aka Briji) was a mahajanapada of ancient India. It was one of the world's first democracies. Its particular name was Vajji Sangha (union of vajji), which consisted of several janapadas, gramas (villages), gosthas (groups). The eminent people were chosen from each khandas (districts) to represent on their behalf in Vajji gana parishad (people's council of Vajji).These represetatives were called gana mukhyas.The chairman of the council was called Ganapramukh (head of the democracy), but often he was addressed as the king ,though his post was not dynastic.The other executives were Mahabaladhrikrit (equivalent to the minister of internal security), binishchayamatya (chief justice), dandadhikrit (other justices) etc.
Vajji's capital was Vaishali. It was a prosperous city. The main gosthas were Lichchhavis, Mallas,Śakyas etc. In around 600 B.C. the Lichchhavis were disciples of Lord Mahavira, but later they shifted to Buddha Marga (Buddhism). During his life time Lord Buddha visited Vaishali several times, the bihar where he used to stay in Vaishali was called Kuthagarshala. It was gifted to him by a Ganapramukh, Chhetak.
