Shakya

The Shakya were a clan of the late Vedic Age (1000-500 BCE) and socalled Second Urbanisation (500-200 BCE) in northern India and (present-day) Nepal, and are attested from Buddhist scriptures in the late Iron Age (c.600–300 BCE). Some specialists in the this field, including Michael Witzel and Christopher I. Beckwith have produced analyses concluding that the Shakya were Scythians from Eastern Europe, and that the name Śākya has the same origin as “Scythian.” This conclusion is contrary to traditional views. Traditionally the name is considered to be derived from the Sanskrit word "śakya," which means "the one who is capable".

The Shakyas formed an independent republican state known as the Śākya Gaṇarājya. The Shakya capital was Kapilavastu, which may have been located either in Tilaurakot, Nepal or Piprahwa, India.

The best-known Shakya was the prince Siddhartha (5th century BCE), who was the founder of Buddhism and came to be known as Gautama Buddha. Siddhartha was the son of Śuddhodana, the elected leader of Shakya Republic. Because Gautama Buddha founded a new religion and abdicated the throne, the lineage continued with his son Rāhula.

The Hindu Puranas, Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, describe Shakya as descendants of Surya (Suryavansha). Puranas trace the lineage of Shakya from King Ikshwaku (the grandson of Surya) and put them in the dynasty of Kusha, son of Lord Rama.

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