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24 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
§ 14. Conflict with the Sangh
- Eight years had passed by since Siddharth was made a member of the Sakya Sangh.
I
He was a very devoted and steadfast member of the Sangh. He took the same interest in the affairs of the Sangh as he did in his own. His conduct as a member of the Sangh was exemplary and he had endeared himself to all.
In the eighth year of his membership, an event occurred which resulted in a tragedy for the family of Suddhodana and a crisis in the life of Siddharth.
This is the origin of the tragedy.
Bordering on the State of the Sakyas was the State of the Koliyas. The two kingdoms were divided by the river Rohini.
The waters of the Rohini were used by both the Sakyas and the Koliyas for irrigating their fields. Every season there used to be disputes between them as to who should take the water of the Rohini first and how much. These disputes resulted in quarrels and sometimes in affrays.
In the year when Siddharth was twenty-eight, there was a major clash over the waters between the servants of the Sakyas and the servants of the Koliyas. Both sides suffered injuries.
Coming to know of this, the Sakyas and the Koliyas felt that the issue must be settled once for all by war.
The Senapati of the Sakyas, therefore, called a session of the Sakya Sangh to consider the question of declaring war on the Koliyas.
Addressing the members of the Sangh, the Senapati said : “Our people have been attacked by the Koliyas and they had to retreat. Such acts of aggression by the Koliyas have taken place more than once. We have tolerated them so far. But this cannot go on. It must be stopped and the only way to stop it is to declare war against the Koliyas. I propose that the Sangh do declare war on the Koliyas. Those who wish to oppose may speak.”