Vaishali, Pali Vesali, city of ancient India, north of Patna, northwestern Bihar state, on the Gandak River. In antiquity Vaishali was the capital of the Licchavi republic and was closely associated with the early histories of both Buddhism and Jainism. Roads connected it with Rajagriha to the south and Kapilavastu and Shravasti to the north. Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, was born in Vaishali and spent much time there.