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Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the worlds first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and industry. Vaishali was the capital of a republic as early as 6th century BC. Once an important centre of learning and holy place where Mahavira the religious guru of Jains was born and Lord Buddha gave his sermons. Vaishali has an impressive historical past with many excavations in the area. Vaishali, on the left bank of the Gandak River, is spiritually very important pilgrimage centre right from the early period as it has witnessed frequent visits from Lord Buddha who preached his last sermon at Kolhua. Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains. On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here.
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