Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha - 15 Mints Seminar Notes

Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha - 15 Mints Seminar Notes

Mahajanapadas:

• Budhhist literature Angutara Nikaya gives a list of 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas in the begining of 6th century B.C
  

 

16 Mahajanapadas are,

1. Anga
   
2. Assaka (or Asmaka)
   
3. Avanti
   
4. Chedi
   
5. Gandhara
   
6. Kashi
   
7. Kamboja
   
8. Kosala
   
9. Kuru
   
10. Magadha
    
11. Malla
    
12. Machcha (or Matsya)
    
13. Panchala
    
14. Surasena
    
15. Vriji
    
16. Vatsa (or Vamsa)
    

• 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:
  

1. Vatsa
   
2. Avanti
   
3. Magadha
   
4. 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
  

Rise of Magadha

Bimbisara (546 – 494 BC)

• Contemporary of both Buddhism & jainism was 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 and 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) and Patliputra (Surrounded by Ganga, Gandhak, Son & Ghagra river → True Jaladurga)
  

Presented By,

Ilakkiya

Tnpsc Student

Magme School Of Banking