Rise of magadha empire
Rise of Magadha Notes
The four Mahajanapadas – Magadha, Kosala, Avanti and Vatsa were vying for supremacy from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC. Finally, Magadha emerged victoriously and was able to gain sovereignty. It became the most powerful state in ancient India. Magadha is situated in modern Bihar. Jarasandha, who was a descendant of Brihadratha founded the empire in Magadha. Both are talked about in the Mahabharata.
Magadha Empire – Haryanka Dynasty
The first important and powerful dynasty in Magadha.
Bimbisara (558 BC – 491 BC)
Son of Bhattiya.
He ruled over Magadha from 544 BC to 493 BC.
Contemporary and follower of the Buddha. Was also said to be an admirer of Mahavira.
Had his capital at Girivraja (Rajgir).
Also known as Sreniya.
Was the first king to have a standing army.
He started the practice of using matrimonial alliances to strengthen his political position.
He had three wives: Kosaladevi (King of Kosala’s daughter and the sister of Prasenjit), Chellana (daughter of the Lichchavi chief of Vaisali) and Khema (daughter of the king of Modra, Punjab).
He followed a policy of conquest and expansion. Most notable conquest by Bimbisara was that of Anga.
He had an effective and excellent administrative system. The officers occupying high posts were divided into three – executive, military and judicial.
Ajatasatru (492 BC – 460 BC)
v Son of Bimbisara and Chellana.
v He killed his father and became ruler.
v Embraced Buddhism.
v He convened the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha just after the death of Buddha in 483 BC.
v Won wars against Kosala and Vaishali.
Udayin
Magadha Empire – Sisunaga Dynasty
According to Sri Lankan chronicles, the people of Magadha revolted during the reign of Nagadasaka and placed an amatya (minister) named Sisunaga as king.
Sisunaga
Kalasoka
Magadha Empire – Nanda Dynasty
This was the first non-Kshatriya dynasty. The first ruler was Mahapadma Nanda who usurped the throne of Kalasoka.
Mahapadma Nanda
Ø He is called the “first historical emperor of India.” (Chandragupta Maurya is the First Emperor of India)
Ø He murdered Kalasoka to become the king.
Ø His origins are not clear. As per the Puranas, he was the son of the last Sisunaga king from a Sudra woman. As per some Jain texts and Greek writer Curtius, he was the son of a barber and a courtesan.
Ø His reign lasted for twenty-eight years from 367 BC to 338 BC.
Ø He is also called “Sarva Kashtriyantaka” (destroyer of all the Kshatriyas) and “Ekrat”.
Ø The empire grew under his reign. It ran from the Kuru country in the north to the Godavari Valley in the south and from Magadha in the east to Narmada on the west.
Ø He conquered many kingdoms including Kalinga.
Dhana Nanda
Causes for the rise of Magadha
Geographical factors
v Magadha was located on the upper and lower parts of the Gangetic valley.
v It was located on the mainland route between west and east India.
v The area had fertile soil. It also received enough rainfall.
v Magadha was encircled by rivers on three sides, the Ganga, Son and Champa making the region impregnable to enemies.
v Both Rajgir and Pataliputra were located in strategic positions.
Economic factors
Cultural factors
Political factors
Magadha was lucky to have many powerful and ambitious rulers.
They had strong standing armies.
Availability of iron enabled them to develop advanced weaponry.
They were also the first kings to use elephants in the army.
The major kings also developed a good administrative system.