When prefixed by “gaṇa,” this term describes a deliberative ancient Indian system of government, typified by Malla (“MUHL-luh”), which was semi-democratic but often dominated by tribal oligarchies. For 10 points each:
[10e] Give this Pāḷi or Sanskrit term. This term’s use with the assembly of the Licchavi tribe may have inspired its application to the community of Buddhist monastics.
ANSWER: saṅgha (“SUN-guh”) [or saṃgha; accept gaṇa-saṅgha]
[10h] A gaṇa-saṅgha at Vaishālī governed this mahājanapada located north of its foe Magadha (“MUH-guh-duh”). Vassakāra supposedly asked the Buddha how to defeat this confederation of eight or nine clans, including the Videhas and Mahāvīra’s Jñātrikas (“GN’YAH-trih-kuhs”).
ANSWER: Vajji [or Vajjika, Vrijji, Vṛji, Vrijika, or Vṛjika] (Vassakara’s exchange with the Buddha is reported in the Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta.)
[10m] Not all of the mahājanapadas were democratic, such as this kingdom, the farthest north and west. The region ruled by this kingdom later became the center of Greco-Buddhist art, which created the first human representations of the Buddha.
ANSWER: Gandhāra
<Nick Jensen, World History>