Licchavi ［離車］ (, Pali;  Risha): A tribe that dwelt in an area north of the Ganges River in northeastern India. The Licchavis, with their capital at Vaishālī, maintained a republican form of government and had a general assembly consisting of heads of the leading families. They were rivals of the Magadha kingdom to the south. The Licchavis, along with the Videhas and other tribes, constituted the Vriji confederacy, known as one of the sixteen great states in ancient India. After Shakyamuni’s death, the Licchavis received a share of his relics, which had been divided into eight portions. Ajātashatru, king of Magadha, later conquered the Licchavis.