Study Guide · Chapter 5
4. MAHAJANAPADAS (c. 600 BCE – 400 BCE)
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4. MAHAJANAPADAS (c. 600 BCE – 400 BCE)
- By 6th century BCE, India (mainly the Gangetic plains) was organized into 16 Mahajanapadas ("great kingdoms"), mentioned in Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya.
- Two forms of government: Monarchy (most states) and Gana-Sangha/Republics (e.g., Vajji, Malla).
4.1 List of 16 Mahajanapadas
| Mahajanapada | Capital | Present-day Region |
|---|---|---|
| Kashi | Varanasi | Eastern UP |
| Kosala | Shravasti | Eastern UP |
| Anga | Champa | Bihar/Jharkhand |
| Magadha | Rajgir (Girivraja), later Pataliputra | Bihar |
| Vajji (Confederacy, Republic) | Vaishali | Bihar |
| Malla (Republic) | Kushinara/Pava | UP |
| Chedi | Shuktimati | Bundelkhand (MP) |
| Vatsa | Kaushambi | UP (near Allahabad) |
| Kuru | Indraprastha | Delhi/Haryana |
| Panchala | Ahichhatra/Kampilya | Western UP |
| Matsya | Viratanagara | Rajasthan (Jaipur) |
| Surasena | Mathura | UP |
| Assaka (Ashmaka) | Potana/Paithan | Godavari region (only south of Vindhyas) |
| Avanti | Ujjaini/Mahishmati | Malwa (MP) |
| Gandhara | Taxila | Peshawar/Rawalpindi (Pak/Afghanistan) |
| Kamboja | Rajapura | NW Frontier/Central Asia border |
4.2 Rise of Magadha
- Magadha emerged as the most powerful Mahajanapada, eventually forming the base of India's first empires.
- Reasons for Magadha's rise: fertile soil (Gangetic plains), access to iron ore (Bihar/Jharkhand hills) for weapons/tools, control over river routes (Ganga) for trade and transport, capital cities (Rajgir/Pataliputra) were well-fortified/strategically located, elephants available for military use, less orthodox social setup (aided by "outsider"/mixed rulers not bound by strict Vedic tradition).
4.3 Magadhan Dynasties
Haryanka Dynasty (c. 544 BCE – 412 BCE)
- Founder: Bimbisara (c. 544–492 BCE) — capital Rajgir; matrimonial alliances (married princesses of Kosala, Vaishali, Madra); contemporary of Buddha.
- Ajatashatru (c. 492–460 BCE) — son of Bimbisara (imprisoned/killed his father); fought wars against Kosala and the Vajji confederacy; contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavira; built a fort at Pataligrama (which later became Pataliputra).
- Udayin — founded Pataliputra as new capital.
Shishunaga Dynasty (c. 412 BCE – 344 BCE)
- Founder: Shishunaga — destroyed power of Avanti; capital shifted to Vaishali.
Nanda Dynasty (c. 344 BCE – 322 BCE)
- Founder: Mahapadma Nanda — called "Ekarat" (sole sovereign), first empire builder of India in a real sense; conquered Kalinga; described as of low origin in Puranas.
- Last ruler: Dhana Nanda — defeated by Chandragupta Maurya (with help of Chanakya/Kautilya); had a massive army (per Greek accounts), which discouraged Alexander's army from advancing further into India.
Key Facts / Quick Revision — Mahajanapadas
- 16 Mahajanapadas mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya (Buddhist text)
- Magadha = most powerful; capitals: Rajgir → Pataliputra
- Bimbisara and Ajatashatru = Haryanka dynasty; contemporaries of Buddha/Mahavira
- Mahapadma Nanda = "Ekarat"; Dhana Nanda = last Nanda, defeated by Chandragupta Maurya
- Only republics (Gana-Sangha): Vajji and Malla
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