Sixteen Mahajanapadas and the Rise of the Magadha Dynasty

Between 600 BCE and 300 BCE, the period preceding the Mauryan Empire is known both as the Age of the Buddha and the Age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas. It is called the Age of the Buddha because Gautama Buddha, the great spiritual leader, lived during this time. It is called the Age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas because sixteen powerful kingdoms emerged during this period.

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The Sixteen Mahajanapadas

The Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya, written in Pali, provides information about these Mahajanapadas. Out of the sixteen, ten were located in the Gangetic plains, two in northwestern India, one in western India, two in central India, and one in southern India.

Note: The Buddhist text Mahavastu and the Jain text Bhagavati Sutra give slightly different lists of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas.

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Republican States in the Pre-Mauryan Age

By the 6th century BCE, two types of political systems existed – monarchies and republics (ganas or sanghas).

• In republics, rulers were elected by the people, and governance was more democratic.

• In monarchies, rulers inherited power and ruled autocratically.

Important republican states mentioned in Pali texts include:

• Koliyas (ruling Ramagrama)

• Moriyas (ruling Pipphalivahana)

• Mallas (ruling Pava)

• Jnatrikas/Nyayas (ruling Kundagrama)

• Vajji (ruling Vaishali)

• Shakyas (ruling Kapilavastu)

It is significant that Buddhism and Jainism emerged in these republican states. Gautama Buddha belonged to the Shakya republic, and Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara) belonged to the Jnatrika republic. These communities greatly patronized these religions.

Among the republics, Vajji (Licchavis) with its capital at Vaishali was the most important. The famous ruler Chetaka, a contemporary of the Buddha, strengthened alliances by marrying his relatives into powerful families. His sister Trishala (Mahavira’s mother) was married into the Jnatrikas, and his daughter Chellana was married to Bimbisara of Magadha.

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Important Monarchies in the Pre-Mauryan Age

Kosala

• Capital: Shravasti (with Ayodhya and Saketa as important cities)

• Ruled by the Ikshvaku dynasty.

• King Prasenajit was the most famous ruler.

• The kingdom had close ties with Magadha through marriage alliances.

Vatsa

• Capital: Kaushambi

• Ruled by the Kuru dynasty after the decline of Hastinapura.

• King Udayana was a contemporary of the Buddha and a notable figure in Sanskrit literature (featured in plays like Swapnavasavadatta and Ratnavali).

Avanti

• Capitals: Ujjayini and Mahishmati

• Ruled by the Pradyota dynasty.

• King Mahasena was its most famous ruler.

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The Rise of Magadha

Among all the Mahajanapadas, Magadha emerged as the most powerful and became India’s first great empire by the 4th century BCE. Its rise was due to both geographical advantages and capable rulers.

Geographical Factors:

• Fertile Gangetic plains → strong agricultural economy

• Rich iron ore deposits → tools and weapons

• Dense forests → timber for chariots and elephants for the army

• Strategic capital at Pataliputra → well-defended and centrally located

Capable Rulers and Dynasties of Magadha:

I. Haryanka Dynasty

• Bimbisara (founder):

  • Expanded Magadha through conquest (annexed Anga).

  • Used marriage alliances: married Kosala princess Mahadevi, gaining Kashi as dowry.

  • Practiced diplomacy: sent his physician Jivaka to cure Avanti king Mahasena.

• Ajatashatru:

  • Killed his father Bimbisara and took the throne.

  • Defeated the Vajji confederacy after 16 years of war.

  • Conquered Kosala and Malla.

• Udayin: Successor of Ajatashatru, later killed by Shishunaga.

II. Shishunaga Dynasty

• Shishunaga: Defeated and annexed Avanti.

• Kalasoka: Shifted the capital to Pataliputra. Later killed by Mahapadma Nanda.

III. Nanda Dynasty

• Mahapadma Nanda:

  • Considered the greatest pre-Mauryan ruler of Magadha.

  • First non-Kshatriya (Shudra origin) ruler of India.

  • Conquered almost all Mahajanapadas except Gandhara and Kamboja.

  • Extended rule into South India (crossing the Vindhyas).

  • Took titles like Ekarat, Parashurama, Sarva-Kshatrantaka, and Mahapadmapati.

• Dhanananda (Ugrasena Nanda):

  • Last ruler of the Nanda dynasty.

  • Called “Agrammes” in Greek accounts.

  • Defeated by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BCE, marking the beginning of the Mauryan Empire.