MAHAJANPA

DS
RISE OF MAHAJANPADS
• It was the phase during which ‘Janapadas’ became greater in size and
got involved in expansion of territory resulting in the formation of
‘Mahajanapadas’.
• Anguttara Nikaya & Mahavastu (Buddhist texts) and some Jain texts
are the sources of information about mahajanapadas.
• ‘Magadha’ displayed the tendency and potential of becoming an
empire.
• Economic growth led to development of urban centers and first use of
coins is also reported from this period; they were called punch-mark coins.
• Large scale use of iron tools, spread of agriculture and North Black
Polished Pottery is also associated with this age.
• During this period ‘Brahmi’ script appeared for the first time.
• Taxation added to the wealth of the state, prostitution too appeared in the
cities.
• Position of women degraded further except in Buddhist and Jain orders.
• A number of castes appeared and the condition of untouchability further
worsened.
• Mahajanapadas were either monarchical or republican.
Among the 16 Mahajanapadas, Kuru, Vrijji, Malla,
Panchal and Kamboj were republican states and had
a Ganparishad (assembly of seniors) as the supreme
authority in the state.
• This period of Indian history was deeply influenced and
driven by development of philosophical movements like
’Jainism’ and ‘Buddhism’.
Mahajanpad Capital Important Info.
ANGA CHAMPA • REFERENCE IN ATHARVA VED AND MAHABHARAT
• BIMBISAR CONQUERED IT
• TRADE WITH SUVARNABHUMI
MAGADHA RAJGIR/GRIVRAJ/PATLIPUTRA • MENTIONED IN ATHARVA VED
• SEPARATED FROM ANGA BY RIVER CHAMPA
KASHI KASHI • KASHI WAS CAPTURED BY KOSHALA
VATSA KAUSHAMBHI • PRESENT DAY ALLAHABAD
• KING UDAYANA MADE BUDHHISM A STATE RELIGION
KOSALA SHRAVASTI/KUSHAVATI • AYODHYA IS IN THIS MAHAJANPAD
• KING PARASENJIT WAS AN IMPORTANT RULER
• INCLUDED THE REPUBLIC OF SHAKYAS
SHURASENA MATHURA • IMPORTANT KING WAS AWANTIPURA
PANCHALA AHICHHTRA/KAMPILYA • AHICHHTRA IS MODERN BAREILLY
• GOVERNANCE SHIFTED FROM MONSRCHY TO REPUBLIC
KURU INDRAPRASTHA • AREA AROUND KURUKSHETRA
• IT ALSO SIFTED TO REPUBLIC
MATSYA VIRATNAGAR • PRESENT DAY JAIPUR, ALWAR, AND BHARATPUR
CHEDI SOTHIVATI/SHUKTIMATI • MENTIONED IN RIGVEDA
• PRESENT DAY BUNDELKHAND REGION
Mahajanpad Capital Important Info.
AVANTI UJJAIN/MAHISHMATI • IMPORTANT KING- PRADYOTA, FATHER IN LAW OF UDAYANA
• UJJAIN WAS KNOWN AS AVANTIKA
• CONQUERED BY SHISHUNAG
GANDHARA TAXILA • PRESENT DAY RAWALPINDI, PESHAWAR AND KASHMIR VALLEY
• CITED IN ATHARV VED
• IMPORTANT KING- PUSHKARSARIN
KAMBOJ POONCH • PRESENT DAY KASHMIR AND HINDUKUSH
• EXCELLENT BREED OF HORSES WERE FOUND HERE
ASMAKA/ASSAKA POTALI/PODANA/PRATISTHAN • LOCATED ON THE BANKS OF GODAVARI
• ONLY MAHAJANPAD TO BE LOCATED SOUTH OF THE VINDHYA
RANGE
VAJJI KUSHINARA • IT WAS A REPUBLIC
• HAS REFERENCE IN BUDHHIST AND JAIN TEXTS AND
MAHABHARAT
MALLA MATHURA • IMPORTANT KING WAS AWANTIPURA
🏹 Dynasties & Kings of Magadha
1. Haryanka Dynasty (c. 544 BCE – 413 BCE)

•Founder: Bimbisara (c. 544 – 492 BCE)

•Contemporary of Buddha & Mahavira.
•Expanded Magadha through conquests (Anga annexed), marriage
alliances (Kosala, Lichchhavis, Madra) and friendship (Avanti), [3
Pronged Policy]
•Shifted capital from Rajagriha (Rajgir) to Girivraja.
•Introduced administrative reforms and built a standing army.
2. Ajatashatru (492 – 460 BCE)
•Son of Bimbisara, imprisoned & killed his father.
•Waged wars with Kosala and Lichchhavis (Vaishali).
•Used new war weapons:
•Rathamusala (chariot with blades)
•Mahashilakantaka (stone-throwing engine)
•Built Pataliputra fort (later capital of Magadha).
•Patron of Buddhism and Jainism.
3. Udayin (460 – 440 BCE)
•Founded Pataliputra at the confluence of Ganga and Son.
•Made it capital (later became Mauryan capital).
•Later rulers: Weak successors (Aniruddha, Munda, Nagadasaka).
2. Shishunaga Dynasty (c. 413 – 345 BCE)
• Founder: Shishunaga (413 BCE)
• Shifted capital to Vaishali, later back to Pataliputra.
• Defeated Avanti (broke Avanti-Magadha rivalry).
• Kalasoka (son of Shishunaga)
• Patron of Buddhism.
• Presided over the Second Buddhist Council (c. 383 BCE) at
Vaishali.
3. Nanda Dynasty (c. 345 – 321 BCE)
• Founder: Mahapadma Nanda (called "Ekarat" – sole sovereign).
• Called “destroyer of all Kshatriyas” in Puranas.
• Expanded Magadha to the Deccan.
• Enormous wealth → maintained a huge army. (Greek sources: 200,000 infantry, 20,000
cavalry, 3,000 elephants, 2,000 chariots).
• Nicknamed “the first empire builder of India.”
• Dhana Nanda (last Nanda ruler, contemporary of Alexander’s invasion – 326
BCE)
• Greek sources call him Agrammes/Xandrames.
• Extremely unpopular due to oppressive taxation and arrogance.
• Defeated by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya).
 4. Mauryan Dynasty (321 – 185 BCE)

Although Mauryas are often studied separately, they originated from Magadha.
1.Chandragupta Maurya (321 – 297 BCE)
• Founded Maurya Empire with Chanakya’s help.
• First ruler to politaclly conquer entire Aryavrat (North India)
• Defeated Seleucus Necator (Greek general of Alexander) and conquered Afghanistan.
• Selucus sent Magasthenes as his ambassador, who wrote INDICA.
• Accepted Jainism later, abdicated throne, went to Shravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu
(did Sallekhana-fast unto death).
• Shohgura Copper Plate Inscription mentions establishment of 2 grain depots
(KOSHTAGARA) to fight against famine.
 2.Bindusara (297 – 273 BCE)
• Expanded empire to Deccan (not Kalinga, not Tamil region).
• Joined Ajivika Sect
• Greek ambassador Deimachos visited his court.
• Made request to ANTIOCHUS 1 or Syria for Sweet Wine, Dry fig and SOPHIST.
• Known as Amitraghata (Slayer of foes) in Greek accounts (Amitrochates).
 3.Ashoka (273 – 232 BCE)

• Initially violent, conquered Kalinga (261 BCE, info

in DHAULI INSCRIPTION)
• After Kalinga war → adopted Buddhism, promoted
Dhamma policy.
• Sent missionaries (e.g., his son Mahinda and
daughter Sanghmitta to Sri Lanka).
• Issued edicts (Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts).
• Called Devanampiya Piyadasi (Beloved of Gods
and Pleasant to behold) in the Maski Inscription,
Karnataka.
C
• Which Buddha text has described 16 Mahajanpads of 6th century
B.C.?
a) Digha Nikaya
b) Tripitaka
c) Deepvamsha
d) Anguttara Nikaya
D
• During the period of 16 Mahajanapadas, Mathura was the capital of –
a) Vajji
b) Vatsa
c) Kashi
d) Surasena
D
C
• Mahajanapada situated on the bank of river Godavari was-
a) Avanti
b) Assaka
c) Vatsa
d) Kamboj
B
• Which initial ruler of Magadha killed his father for enthroning and also
was killed by his son for the same reason?
a) Bimbisara
b) Ajatshatru
c) Udayin
d) Nagdashaka B
• Read the statements (A) and (B) and choose the correct
answer from the code given below :
(A) The sixth century B.C. was a period of great religious upheaval in all
parts of the world.
(B) The Vedic religion had become very complex.
(a) Both (A) and (B) are false.
(b) (b) Both (A) and (B) are true.
B
(c) (c) (A) is true, while (B) is false.
(d) (d) (A) is false, while (B) is true
• In how many categories did Megasthenes divide the Indian Society?
(a) Four
(b) Five
(c) Six
(d) Seven
D
A Buddhist Council during the reign of Ashoka was held at [BPSC 2002]
(a) Magadha
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Samastipur
(d) Rajgriha
B
Who constructed the ‘Sanchi Stupa’? [MPPSC 2012, 2006]
(a) Chandragupta
(b) Kautilya
(c) Gautam Buddha
(d) Ashoka
D
Historical Rediscovery of
Ashoka
Ashoka, the third Mauryan ruler, is famed for his ethical governance,
Dhamma, and Buddhist contributions, overshadowing his vast
conquests.
In 1837, James Princep deciphered a Brahmi script inscription referring
to a king named Devanampiya Piyadasi.
A 1915 inscription identified "Devanampiya Ashoka," confirming that
Piyadasi and Ashoka were the same, thereby solidifying Ashoka's
identity as a transformative figure in Indian history.
• Ashoka uses his name “Devanampiya" (Beloved of the Gods) only in
four of these places namely: Maski, Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Gujjara
(MP), and Nettur (AP).
 THE KALINGA WAR (261 BC)
The Kalinga War, fought near the Dhauli hills and Daya River in Odisha,
was Ashoka’s only major battle. Rock Edict XIII vividly describes the
war's devastation, with countless lives lost. Witnessing the suffering,
Ashoka renounced violent conquests.
ASHOKA’S DHAMMA
Ashoka's Dhamma was a broad ethical code designed to foster social
responsibility and harmony among his subjects. It reflected his duty as
an emperor to remain impartial and promote the welfare of all.
Key Features of Asoka's Dhamma
1. Tolerance and Respect: Harmony among sects, respect for elders,
and humane treatment of servants and animals.
2. Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Discouraged animal sacrifices, cruelty, and
meaningless rituals.
3. Moral Conduct: Advocated compassion, ethical behavior, and
truthfulness.
4. Welfare Measures: Promoted public works like planting trees, digging
wells, and constructing rest houses.
5. Religious Inclusivity: Respected all faiths and appointed Dhamma
Mahamattas to spread these values.
6. Dhamma Ghosa vs. Bheri Ghosa: symbolizing peace and conquest
through moral principles rather than war.
7. Simplification of Rituals: He disapproved of extravagant rituals,
particularly those observed by women, and discouraged frivolous social
gatherings.
Propagation of Dhamma
• Mediums of Communication
The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of over thirty inscriptions, found on
rocks, pillars, and caves across the empire.
Language: Primarily Prakrit, with Aramaic and Greek in northwestern region.
Script: Brahmi was the main script; Kharoshthi was used in the northwest.
Materials: Pillars were made from buff-colored hard sandstone from Chunar
and spotted red and white sandstone from Mathura.
Dhamma Yatras: Tours by Ashoka and officials to interact directly with the
populace, spreading the principles of Dhamma.
TYPES OF EDICTS
• Major rock edicts – 14 Edicts (termed 1st to 14th) and 2 separate
ones found in Odisha; in Prakrit and Greek.
• Minor rock edicts – These inscriptions are found at 15 smaller and less
prominent locations.
• Pillar Edicts – There are 7 major pillar edicts, inscribed in Prakrit
towards the end of Ashoka’s reign.
• Rock-Carved cave inscription – Found in caves such as the Barabar
Caves in Bihar. Records the gifting of caves to the Ajivika sect.
 Major Rock Edicts
Rock Edict I- Declares prohibition of animal sacrifice and holidays of
festive gatherings.
Rock Edict II- It mentions social welfare under Dhamma, like medical
treatment for men and animals, construction of roads, wells, tree
planting, etc.
Rock Edict III- Officials were ordered to go on a tour every 5 years
and declares that respect for parents and for all living things,
including Brahmanas and Sramanas, is a virtue.
Rock Edict IV- Announcement of Dhamma Ghosh in place of Bheri
Ghosh. Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to
relations.
Rock Edict V- Refers to the appointment of Dhamma mahamattas. These
special officers were appointed to look after the interests of all sects and
religions and spread the message of Dhamma in society.
Rock Edict VI- Instruction to Dhamma-mahamattas. They were told that
they could bring their reports to the king at any time, irrespective of
whatever activity he may be engaged in. The second part deals with
speedy administration and transaction of smooth business.
Rock Edict VII- It is an appeal for tolerance between all sects.
Rock Edict VIII- States that Dhamma yatras (tours) would be undertaken
by the emperor. The earlier practice of the emperor of going out on
hunting expeditions was given up.It describes Ashoka’s first visit to Bodh
Gaya.
Rock Edict IX- He attacked ceremonies performed after birth, illness,
marriage and before setting out for a journey.- Ceremonies carried out
by mothers and wives are condemned.
Rock Edict X- Denounced fame and glory and reasserted the merits of
following the policy of Dhamma.
Rock Edict XI- Additional clarification of the Dhamma's principles.-
Emphasis is on respect for elders, abstaining from killing animals, and
liberality towards friends.
Rock Edict XII- An appeal towards toleration among sects.
Rock Edict XIII- It is crucial for comprehending the Ashokan Dhamma
policy.- The Rock Edict pleads for conquest by Dhamma instead of War.-
It mentions Ashoka’s victory over Kalinga.
Rock Edict XIV- This Dhamma-related record has been written down in
an abbreviated or enlarged manner so that people can act
appropriately.... Read more at: https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-
exam/ashoka/