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Home , Indraprastha, Kosala, Kosala Kingdom, Magadha, Magadha Empire, Shishunaga

& Rise of Empire

The Buddhist literature Angutara Nikaya listed 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas. The main reason for ' formation was the use of Iron tools for agricultural and military purposes.

Here is a map showing the 16 Mahajanpadas that existed at that time:

The Mahajanpadas:

1. Magadha (, Gaya and districts) – The first capital was Rajagriha and the later capital was . 2. and Vanga (Munger and ) – The capital was Champa. It was a prosperous business center. 3. (Deoria, Basti, region) – The capital was . It was the seat of many other smaller kingdoms. Their main religion was . 4. (Allahabad and Mirzapur) – The capital was Kaushambi. The most important ruler of this kingdom was King Udayan. 5. Kashi (Benaras) – The capital was . Though many battles were fought against the kingdom, eventually Kashi was merged with the . 6. Kosala () – Though its capital was which is identical with Sahet-Mahet but Ayodhya was an important town in Kosala. Kosala also included the tribal Republican territory of Sakyas of Kapilvastu. 7. ( and Vaishali) – Vajji was the seat of a united republic of eight smaller kingdoms of which Lichchavis, Janatriks, and Videhas were also members. 8. Kuru (Thaneswar, and present-day ) – The capital city was Indraprastha. 9. (Western ) – Its capital was at Kampila. Earlier a monarch state, it later became an independent republic. was an important town in this kingdom. 10. Matsya kingdom (Alwar, Bharatpur and Jaipur) – Its capital was Viratanagar. 11. Ashmaka (Between Narmada and Godavari) – Its capital was at Pertaii and Brahamdatta was its most important ruler. 12. (Peshawar and Rawalpindi) – Its capital was important as a trade and education center (Ancient Taxila university) during the later Vedic age. 13. Kamboj (Hazara dist of Pakistan, North-east ) – Its capital was Rajapur. Hazara was an important trade and commerce center of this kingdom. 14. () – Avanti was divided into two parts north and south. The northern part had its capital at Ujjain and the southern part had its capital at Mahismati. 15. Chedi () – Shaktimati was the capital of Chedi. Chedi kingdom was spread between and Narmada rivers. One of the families from this kingdom later merged into the kingdom from this royal family. 16. (Brajmandal) – Its capital was at and its most famous ruler was Avantiputra.

In course of time small or weak kingdoms either submitted to stronger rulers or got eliminated. Finally, only 4 major kingdoms survived:

• Vatsa • Avanti • Magadha • Kosala

Cause of Magadha’s Success

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

Before the Maurya Dynasty, following ruled Magadha:

• • Dynasty • Nanda Dynasty