Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha

Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha

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Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha

Mahajanapadas

  • Budhhist literature Angutara Nikaya gives a list of 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas in the beginning of 6th century B.C
  • Major reason of the formation of Janapadas was use of Iron tools for agricultural & military purposes
  • In course of time small or weak kingdoms either submitted to stronger rulers or got eliminated. Finally in 6th century BC only 4 major kingdoms survived:
  • Vatsa
  • Avanti
  • Magadha
  • Kosala

Vatsa

  • Shifted kuru clan with capital Kaushambi
  • Most powerful ruler was Udayana
  • After his death Vatsa was annexed to Avanti

Avanti

  • Most important ruler was Pradyota
  • Patronized Buddhism
  • Finally, was annexed to Magadha

Kosala

  • Most famous ruler was Prasenjit whose sister was married to Bimbisara
  • Prasenjit gave Kasi as dowry to Magadha
  • After his death Kosala became part of Magadha

Magadha

  • Famous rulers were
  • Most powerful kingdom of north India & founded by Jarasangha
  • Bimbisara, Ajatashatru (Haryankas)
  • Shishunaga
  • Nandas

Mahajanapadas

Capital

Kamboja Rajpura
Gandhar Taxila
Surasena Mathura
Matsya Virat
Vatsa Kaushambi
Chedis Shuktimati
Kasi Varanasi

 

Mahajanapadas

Mahajanapadas

Capital

Avanti Ujjain & Mahismati
Kuru Hatinapur & Indraprastha
Panchala Kampilya & Ahichattra
Kosala Ayodhya & Sravasti
Mallas Pava & Kusinagar
Vajjis Vaishali
Anga Champa
Magadha Rajgir
Asmaka Potana

Rise of Magadha

Bimbisara (546 – 494 BC)

  • Contemporary of both Buddhism & Jainism + Set up his capital at Rajgir (Known as Girivraja)
  • Strengthened his position by marriage alliances (Kosala, lichhavi (Vaishali) & madra clan (Punjab))
  • Acquired Anga under the viceroyality of Ajatashatru (Born of Lachhavi Princess)
  • Fought with Pradyota of Avanti but later became friends

Ajatashatru

  • Killed his father & succeeded to the throne
  • Fought with Kosala & Vaishali (Lichhavis – destroyed it in 16 years) & won both war
  • Embraced Buddhism & led the foundation for 1st Buddhist council at Rajgir

Udayin

  • Successor of Ajatashatru + Founded new capital at Pataliputra
  • His death marked the end of Haryanka dynasty.

Shishunagas

  • Temporary shifted the capital to Vaishali
  • Defeated Avanti & bought end to 100-year-old rivalry
  • Transferred capital from Vaishali to Patliputra

Mahapadmananda

  • Known as Ekarat (sole king who destroy others)
  • Conquered Kalinga & bought image of Jina as trophy
  • Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela King (Kalinga) refers to conquest of Kalinga by Nandas

Dhanananda

  • Last ruler of Nanda dynasty
  • During his reign, Alexander invaded India but did not move ahead to east (Nanda’s Power)
  • Chandragupta Maurya & Kautilya overthrew him as oppressive way of tax collection was already resented by people.

Cause of Magadha’s Success

  • Advantageous geographical position & rich iron ores of Rajgir
  • Capitals: Rajgir (Surrounded by 5 hills) + Patliputra (Surrounded by Ganga, Gandhak, Son & Ghagra river True Jaladurga)
  • Magadha 1st used elephants in war against enemies.
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