The period from the eighth century BC to the sixth century BC was the Mahajanapada era. Sixteen Mahajanapadas are mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts and Puranas.
Magadha had a special place in ancient Indian history. In the 6th century BC, Magadha was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of northern India. The mighty emperors of Magadha established a vast empire through their conquests. They conquered Magadha all over northern India. Established the dominance of the empire. Thus Magadha remained the center of political activities of northern India for many centuries. Magadha was not an important state in the later Vedic period. In that era, southern Bihar was called Magadha.
16 Mahajanapads
Till the later Vedic period, the basis of the Aryan kingdoms was known. These people used to be a group of families. In the beginning of the Vedic era, these people used to roam from one place to another. After the later Vedic period, these people started settling permanently. They established their power over the villages and adjoining areas of their residence. These states were now called Janapadas. Then the sense of border expansion in these districts arose, as a result, they started fighting with the neighboring states. Thus these districts became large and They came to be known as "Mahajanapadas".
1. Anga
Modern Bhagalpur and Munger districts of northern Bihar came under Anga Mahajanpada. Its capital was "Champa". The ancient name of Champa was "Malini". Anga Mahajanapada had an important place among the 16 Mahajanapadas. It was counted among the six big cities of the Buddha period. The architect of this city was "Mahagovind". In ancient times Champa was famous for its trade and commerce. The ruler here was Brahmadatta, who defeated King Bhattiya of Magadha and occupied some part of the Magadha kingdom. But later Bimbasara conquered Anga and annexed it to the Magadha Empire.
2. Magadha
In this state came the areas of modern Patna, Gaya and Shahabad. Its capital was Rajagriha or Giribraj. Magadha was the only place among the 16 Mahajanapadas which had a very important place in ancient Indian history.
3. Kashi
Modern Banaras and its adjoining areas came under it. Varanasi, situated between the Varuna and Asi rivers, was its capital. Later, Ajatashatru conquered it and annexed it to the Magadha Empire.
4. Kosala
Its capital was Shravasti, which is located in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The kingdom of Kosala was extended up to Nepal in the north, Sai River in the south, Panchal in the west and Gandak in the east. The Saryu river divided this state into two parts - North Kosala with its capital Saket and South Kosala with its capital Sravasti. The greatest and majestic king of the Kosala kingdom was Prasenjit, who was a contemporary of Buddha. Along with 16 Mahajanapadas, there were also many small republics during that period. Kosala also included the Kapilavastu Republic of the Shakya's.
Before the birth of Buddha, King Kansa here had won the kingdom of Kashi, but could not get full authority. His son Mahakosala took full control over Kashi. After Mahakosala, his son Prasenjit became the ruler. The son and successor of Prasenjit became Viddub. It attacked and destroyed the Shakyas. But when he was returning, Achiravathi (Rapti) was destroyed along with his entire army in the flood of the river.
5. Vatsa
The Vatsa kingdom situated on the banks of river Yamuna was the area of present Allahabad and Kaushambi. Its capital was Kaushambi. The famous king here was Udayan. On the basis of Kathasaritsagar, it is estimated that Udayana was related to the Pandava family. Udayana was taught Buddhism by the Buddhist monk "Pindola". Udayan had a love marriage with Vasavadatta, the daughter of Avanti King Chandapradyota. According to Bhasa, Udayana's second marriage was also to Padmavati, the sister of King Darshak of Magadha (daughter of Ajatashatru). Kaushambi, the capital of Vatsa, was a famous trading town.
6. Kuru
The Kuru kingdom was situated in the territories of modern Meerut, Delhi and Thaneshwar. Its capital was Indraprastha. During the Buddha period, the king here was Kauravya.
7. Panchal
The areas of Bareilly, Budaun and Farrukhabad districts of present-day Rohilkhand used to come under Panchal state. It had two parts - the northern Panchala capital Ahichchhatra and the southern Panchala capital Kampilya. Draupadi was of Panchal.
8. Matsya
The area around modern Jaipur came under this state. The founder of this kingdom was Virat and its capital was Biratnagar.
9. Shursena
This state was situated in the modern Mathura and Brajmandal region. Its capital was Mathura. Krishna was the king here. The king here was "Avanti Putra" during the Buddha period.
10. Avanti
The present Malwa and some part of Madhya Pradesh were in the Avanti region at the period of 16 Mahajanapadas. This kingdom was divided into two parts- Northern Avanti, capital Ujjain and Southern Avanti, capital Mahishmati. The famous king here was Chandpradyota. Bimbasara had sent his royal doctor, Jivaka, for the treatment of Chandpradyota. The Buddhist monk Mahakachayana taught Buddhism to Chandapradyota. Later, Magadha King Shishunaga conquered Avanti and merged it into the Magadha Empire.
11. Gandhara
This state was located in the region of Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Its capital was Taxila. Taxila was the main center of learning and trade in ancient times. According to Ramayana, this city was founded by Bharata's son Taksha. The king of this place was "Pushkar Sarit" during the Buddha period. Who defeated the Avanti ruler Chandapradyota.
12. Kamboj
It was located in Jammu & Kashmir state. The ancient Kamboja kingdom was situated in the modern Rajouri and Hazara districts. Its capital was Rajpur or Hatak. Kautilya has called Kambojas "Vartashastrapjeevi", that is, those who live by agriculture, animal husbandry, commerce and weapons. In ancient times Kamboja was famous for the best horses.
13. Chedi
The modern Bundelkhand region was the Chedi kingdom in ancient times. Its capital was Sotthivati or Shaktimati. In the Mahabharata period, the ruler here was Shishupala, who was killed by Krishna.
14. Asmaka
It was situated on the banks of river Godavari. Its capital was Potan or Potli. Of the 16 Mahajanapadas, Ashmaka was located only in South India.
15. Vajji
To the north of the Ganges was the kingdom of the Vajjis in the modern Tirhut region. It was a union of eight clans. The Videha, Lichchavi, Vajji and Katrika clans were important among them. The capital of the Vajji Sangha was Mithila.
16. Malla
Malla state was situated in Deoria and Gorakhpur districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. It had two parts - in which the capital of one part was Kushinagar or Kushinara or Kusavati and the other part was Pava. Mahatma Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar and Mahavir Swami attained Nirvana in Pava.
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