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Rise of Magadha
Magadha Empire
The rise of Magadha as a prominent power in ancient India is a significant chapter in Indian history. Magadha was an ancient kingdom located in the easterns part of the Indian subcontinent, in the state of Bihar. Its rise to prominence began around the 6th century BCE and continued through various dynasties and rulers until the 4th century BCE, when it became the dominant power in northern India under the Maurya Empire.
The political history of India from 6th century BC The history of struggle between four states.
- Magadha
- Kosala
- Vatsa and Avanti for Supremacy
The founder of Magadha was Jarasandha and Bfihadratha. But the growth started under the Haryankas, expansion took place under the Shishunagas and Nandas and reached its zenith under the Mauryas
Extent former district of Patna, Gaya and parts of Shahabad.
The Magadha Empire was a powerful ancient Indian kingdom centered in what is now the state of Bihar, India. It flourished from around the 6th century BCE to the 3rd century BCE, and laid the foundation for the first pan-Indian empire, the Mauryan Empire.
Reasons of Magadha success
- Magadha had an excellent geographical position during the Iron Age since the richest iron deposits were located near Rajgir, Magadha's oldest city, and could be utilized to make weapons and utensils.
- Iron axes were perhaps useful in clearing the thick forests and iron tipped plough shares ploughed the land better and helped to increase grain production.
- The alluvial soil of the Gangetic plains and sufficient rainfall were very conducive for agriculture produce.
- Unorthodox character of Magadhan society and ambitions rulers.
Haryanaka Dynasty: 544 BC – 412 BC
The Haryanka Dynasty was the first powerful and vibrant dynasty to rule the Magadha Empire in ancient India.
Bimbisara (Shronika) 544 BC – 492 BC
- He was the founder of Haryanka dynasty
- The dynasty is credited to Bimbisara, who ruled for around 52 years
- Bimbisara was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha
- He defeated Anga King Brahmadatta and strengthened his own positon by matrimonial alliances.
- His three wives belonged to royal family of Koshala (Mahakosaladevi, sister of Prasenhit ruler of Kashi), Lichchhavi (Chellana, sister of Chetaka) and Madra clan of Punjab, (Khema, daughter of Madra king).
- He sent his personal physician Jivak to his rival Avanti king Chandapradyota Mahasena of Ujjain to cure him of Jaundice.
- Seniya, the first Indian King with an organized army, established New Rajagriha.
- Other important rulers include his son Ajatashatru and grandson Udayin.
- The dynasty ended with Nagadasaka being overthrown by his minister Shishunaga, who founded the next dynasty.
Ajatashatru (492 BC – 460 BC)
Ajatashatru, the famous Indian king belonged to Harayanka dynasty of Magadha. His father was Bimbisara and a contemporary of Lord Buddha and Mahaveer. He forcefully imprisoned his father Bimbisara and enthroned to the kingdom of Magadha.
Kosaladevi was his mother, the queens also called as vaidehi, so he known as Vaidehiputra. We could find about his story in Buddhist Tripitaka and Jain Agamas. According to Jain tradition Ajatashatru born to Bimbisara and Queen Chelna and the records of Buddhist tradition, Bimbisara and Kosala Devi were his parents.
- Bimbisata was succeed by his son Ajatashatru.
- Ajatashatru killed his father and claimed the thrones.
- Ajatashatru pursued a more forceful policy.
- He took entire control of Kashi and ended the previously friendly relationship by attacking his maternal uncle Prasenjit, the king of Kosala, and married his daughter Vijjira.
- He destroyed Vaishali capital of the Lichchhavis after a protracted war of sixteen years, by sowing the seeds of discord among the people of Vaishali.
- Sunidha and Vatsakar Ajatashatrus diplomatic ministers, Mahashilakantaka a war engine which catapulted big stones and Rathamusala a kind of chariot with a mace helped him to defeat the Lichchhavis
- He fortified Rajagriha to meet the threat from Avanti. He also vuilt the fort of Rajagriha and Jaladurga at Patali village on the bank of river Ganges
- He patronized the first Buddhist Council and Buddha died during his reign.
Udayin (460 BC – 444 BC)
- Son and successor of Ajatashatru
- He built the fort upon the confluence of the Ganga and the Son Rivers at Pataliputra (Patna), thus transferred the capital from Rajgriha to the new city Pataliputra
- Udayin was succeeded by weak rulers Anuruddha, Munda and Naga Dasak.
Shishunaga Dynasty (412 BC – 344 BC)
- Shishunaga was the minister of Nag-Dasak and was elected by the people
- He destroyed the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti, this ended the hundred year old rivalry between the two stated and Avanti became a part of Magadh. He temporarily shifted the capital to Vaishali.
- Shishunaga was succeeded by Kalashoka (Kakavarna). His reign is important vbecause he convened the Second Buddhists Council in Vaishali (383 BC).
Nanda Dynasty (344 BC – 323 BC)
It is considered to be the first non-Kshatriya dynasty and ruled for 100 years.
Mahapadmananda
Mahapadmananda the great conqueror and founder of the Nanda dynasty also known as ‘Ekarat’, ‘Eka-Chhatra’ (sovereign ruler) or Sarvakshatrantaka i.e. uprooter of the Kshatriyas Ugrasena i.e. owner of huge army (Pali texts). He is also described as “the first empire builder of Indian History”.
- He conquered Koshala and Kalinga, he brought an image of the Jina as victory trophy
- Succeeded by his eight son’s last one being Dhanananda.
- Dhanananda (the Last Nanda Ruler)
- Alexander invanded North-Western India during his reign (326 BC) but the huge army of Dhanananda deterred Alexander from advancing towards Gangetic Valley
- He is probably referred to as Agrammes or Xan-drames in the Greek texts.
- Chandragupta Maurya, assisted by Kautilya overthrew Dhanananda to establish Mauryan dynasty in 321 BC.
