CHAPTER-15 : Territorial States and the Rise of Magadha
Ancient History of India
OLD NCERT
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Rise of Large States in Ancient India
Shifting Loyalties:
- Rise of large states with towns weakened tribal identity.
- People identified more with their territory (janapada) than tribe (jana).
The Mahajanapadas:
- By 450 BCE, over 40 janapadas existed (including parts of Afghanistan).
- These janapadas developed into larger states called mahajanapadas.
- 16 major mahajanapadas emerged, mostly in the upper and mid-Gangetic plains.
Location and Key Mahajanapadas:
- Mainly located north of the Vindhyas, stretching northwest to Bihar.
- Magadha:Powerful state with capitals at Rajgir and Pataliputra.
- Lichchhavi:Powerful dynasty with capital at Vaishali.
- Kashi:Kingdom centered around Varanasi.
- Kosala:Eastern UP with capital at Shravasti.
- Included the Shakyas (Buddha’s tribe) with capital at Kapilavastu (Piprahwa).
- Mallas:Republic near Kosala, with a capital at Kushinara (where Buddha died).
- Vatsas:Kingdom along the Yamuna with capital at Kaushambi.
- Avanti:Malwa region with capitals at Ujjain and Mahishamati.
- Gandhara and Kamboja:Northwestern mahajanapadas (Kamboja in Central Asia).
Governance:
- Most mahajanapadas were monarchies.
- Some were ganas (oligarchies) where power was shared by a group.
Rise and Growth of the Magadha Empire
Early Rulers:
- Bimbisara (Haryanka dynasty) expanded Magadha’s territory through conquest and alliances.
- Acquired Anga, married strategically to strengthen position.
- Ruled from c. 544 to 492 BCE.
- Ajatashatru (Bimbisara’s son) succeeded him after a violent takeover.
- Reigned from 492 to 460 BCE.
- Shishunaga dynasty followed, briefly moving the capital to Vaishali.
- Noted for defeating Avanti.
The Nandas:
- Most powerful Magadha rulers.
- Conquered Kalinga under Mahapadma Nanda.
- Established a tax system:
- Taxes on crops (1/6th production)
- Taxes on crafts (labor)
- Taxes on herders (animals/products)
- Taxes on trade goods
- Taxes on forest produce
Reasons for Magadha’s Success:
- Geography: proximity to iron deposits near Rajgir (early capital).
- Strategic location of Pataliputra (confluence of Ganges, Gandak, Son rivers).
- Rise of towns and use of metal currency.
हिन्दी