Chapter-5- Mahajanapadas

The time has come, when all the small kingdoms has merged and soon developed into the Empires i.e. Mahajanapadas. Wars were common in the period, every ruler tried to conquer each other's territory. A group of many cities called Mahajanapadas stretched along the Gangetic plain. Kasi(Kashi), Kosala and Magadha were the most famous territory in this region. To the region in the west was the State of Gandhara. Ujjayini was the most prosperous city of the time, it was the capital of Avanti. The city commanded the way from the Northern plains to the Deccan.

Haryankas- The kingdom of Magadha came into prominence under the leadership of Bimbisara {reigned from 543 B.C. to 492 B.C.(till his death). He annexed the famous kingdom of Anga to the east. The capital of Magadha under Haryankas was Rajgriha(Rajgir).

Bimbisara was succeeded by his son Ajatasatru{means; the one who is the enemy of his own clan, (reigned from 492 B.C. to 460 B.C.)}. He imprisoned and later executed his father and seized the throne. His aggressive policy of expansion fetched him Kasi, Kosala.and Vaishali.

Ajatasatru was later succeeded by his son Udayin(Udayabhadra), according to Buddhist texts, Udayin brutally murdered Ajatasatru & captured the throne.

The Sisunagas- The Haryankas were later succeeded by the dynasty of Sisunagas. The founder of this dynasty was Shishunaga (reigned from 413 B.C. to 395 B.C.), he temporarily shifted his capital to Vaishali, then to Rajgriha & later shifted it to the Pataliputra(Modern, Patna). Sisunagas later expanded further into Ganga valley.

Sisunaga(Shishunaga) was later succeeded by his son Kalashoka. He organised the 'Second Buddhist council' at Vaishali (the most significant event during his reign).

Nandivardhana or Mahanandin (reigned from 367 B.C. to 345 B.C.) was probably the last ruler of this dynasty, his empire was inherited by his illegitimate son Mahapadma Nanda.

The Nandas- The Nandas were the first non-Kshatriya rulers, but described according to some sources as, The fist Empire builder, founded by Mahapadma Nanda (reigned from 345 B.C.-329 B.C.). He defeated Panchalas, Kasis, Haihayas, Kalingas, Asmakas, Kurus, Maithilas, Surasenas and the Vitihotras and later described as the "Destroyer of the Kshatriyas" or "Ekarat" (the sole king who destroyed all the other ruling princes).

Mahapadma Nanda later succeeded by his son Dhana Nanda (reigned from 329 B.C.-321 B.C.). Dhana Nanda dynasty was very unpopular among the people and the neighboring states. During his reign, the Nanda Empire extended from Punjab and Sindh in the west to Bihar and Bengal in the east. It was in his reign, when Alexander invaded India. Dhana nanda was later killed by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of 'Mauryan Dynasty'.

Indian Conquest of Persian Empire :-

Meanwhile an Iranian(Persian) Empire, (Achaemenid Empire- established by Cyrus the great) was also expanding its territory simultaneously with the Magadhan Empire. They took advantage of the political disunity that arose in India. Small kingdoms such as, Gandhara and Kamboja were existed on the north west front of India. Darius I of Persia, took advantage of this disunity and entered India in 516 B.C. annexed the region to the west of the Indus. It was considered the 20th Satrapy (Province) of Persian empire according to Herodotus (Father of history) & was the richest province of the empire. Kharosthi script of Iranian language was Introduced in the Indian language. Even the term 'lipi' was derived from an Iranian term 'dipi' in the Ashokan inscriptions.

Alexander's Conquest of India:-

The Persian hold of India became weak, On the eve of the invasion of 'Alexander the Great' in India. In 327 B.C., Alexander led a campaign against India, he marched from Iran, and conquered the kingdoms one by one. Ambhi the ruler of Taxila accepted the sovereignty of Alexander, but Puru (Porus, according to Greek texts), who ruled in the region of Punjab refused to do so. A battle was fought between Alexander and Puru known as the 'Battle of Hydaspes' in 326 B.C. in which Puru was defeated and had to surrender to Alexander, but his bravery proved to be fruitful as Alexander made him an ally, restored his land to him and made him a satrap (General). In 325 B.C. Alexander began his homeward journey, leaving all the winning land between his generals.

*Alexander 'The Great'*

Historical evidences of Alexander's invasion has helped the Indian historians in the construction of the history of Contemporary India, this invasion also led the foundation of 'Gandhar school of art'. It also opened a trade route between north-west India and west Asia. Indian history is also grateful to his invasion as it helped Chandragupta Maurya to reconquer these leftover areas by Alexander and to lay a foundation of United India.

We will discuss about the Indian Unity under The 'Mauryan Empire' in the next post.