Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha All Notes
Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha
Mahajanapadas
Budhhist literature Angutara Nikaya gives a list of 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas in the
begining 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
▪ Most powerful kingdom of north India & founded by Jarasangha
▪ Famous rulers were
- 1. Bimbisara, Ajatashatru →(Haryankas)
- 2. Shishunaga
- 3. Nandas
| Sl. No. | Mahajanapadas | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamboja | Rajpura |
| 2 | Gandhar | Taxila |
| 3 | Surasena | Mathura |
| 4 | Matsya | Virat |
| 5 | Vatsa | Kaushambi |
| 6 | Chedis | Shuktimati |
| 7 | Kasi | Varanasi |
| 8 | Avanti | Ujjain & Mahismati |
| 9 | Kuru | Hatinapur & Indraprastha |
| 10 | Panchala | Kampilya & Ahichattra |
| 11 | Kosala | Ayodhya & Sravasti |
| 12 | Mallas | Pava & Kusinagar |
| 13 | Vajjis | Vaishali |
| 14 | Anga | Champa |
| 15 | Magadha | Rajgir |
| 16 | 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 Budhhist council at Rajgir
Udayin
▪ Succesor 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
