In this guide
In the sixth century BCE, northern India was divided among sixteen mahajanapadas — great states such as Kashi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Vatsa and Avanti. Within two centuries, one of them had absorbed nearly all the others. That state was Magadha, centred in the south of present-day Bihar. Its rise laid the foundation for the Mauryan empire, and made Bihar the political heart of ancient India.
The mahajanapadas
Buddhist and Jain texts list sixteen mahajanapadas. Several were in or near present-day Bihar:
| Mahajanapada | Region | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Magadha | South Bihar (Patna, Gaya, Nalanda region) | Rajagriha (Girivraja), later Pataliputra |
| Anga | East Bihar (Bhagalpur, Munger) | Champa |
| Vajji | North Bihar | Vaishali |
| Malla | Around Kushinagar and Pava (present Uttar Pradesh, bordering Bihar) | Kushinagar, Pava |
Most were monarchies; some, like the Vajji and Malla, were gana-sanghas (republics or oligarchies). See our guide on Vaishali.
The Haryanka dynasty
Bimbisara
- Traditionally dated to the sixth century BCE (historians' dates vary).
- Capital: Rajagriha (Rajgir), protected by a ring of five hills.
- Matrimonial alliances strengthened his position — with the royal houses of Kosala (which brought Kashi as dowry), the Lichchhavis of Vaishali (through Chellana) and the Madra clan.
- Conquest of Anga — giving Magadha control of trade routes and the port of Champa.
- A contemporary and patron of the Buddha; he is said to have gifted the Venuvana (bamboo grove) monastery at Rajagriha.
- His physician Jivaka is well known in Buddhist tradition.
Ajatashatru
- According to tradition, he came to power by overthrowing (and, in several accounts, killing) his father.
- He fought Kosala and eventually prevailed.
- He conquered the Vajji confederacy after a long war — using his minister Vassakara to sow dissension among the Vajjis, according to Buddhist tradition.
- He fortified the village of Pataligrama on the Ganga.
- The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha (in the Saptaparni cave) during his reign, soon after the Buddha's death.
Udayin
- Traditionally credited with founding Pataliputra (near present-day Patna) at the confluence of the Ganga and the Son, and making it the capital.
The Shishunagas
- Shishunaga replaced the Haryankas. He is said to have destroyed the power of Avanti, Magadha's great western rival.
- He is associated with Vaishali as a seat of power.
- Kalashoka (Kakavarna): the Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali during his reign.
The Nandas
- Mahapadma Nanda founded the Nanda dynasty. Puranas describe him as ekarat (sole sovereign) and sarva-kshatrantaka (destroyer of all Kshatriyas), reflecting his conquests.
- The Nandas were said to be enormously wealthy, with a vast army.
- Greek accounts of Alexander's campaign (326 BCE) mention a powerful kingdom in the east — generally identified with the Nandas — whose strength deterred Alexander's tired army from advancing further.
- The last Nanda, Dhanananda, was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya) around 321 BCE.
Why did Magadha rise?
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Iron | Access to iron ore in the region to the south (in present-day Jharkhand) — for weapons and agricultural tools |
| Fertile land | The middle Ganga plain produced rich harvests, especially rice, supporting a large population and revenue |
| Rivers | The Ganga, Son and Gandak provided transport, trade and natural defence |
| Forests and elephants | Elephants from the forests were used in war |
| Strategic capitals | Rajagriha protected by hills; Pataliputra by rivers |
| Ambitious rulers | Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Mahapadma Nanda |
| Administration and army | A standing army and an organised revenue system |
| Social openness | Some historians argue that Magadha's less orthodox society, on the fringe of the Vedic world, was more open to new ideas and people |
Sites to know in Bihar
| Site | Significance |
|---|---|
| Rajgir | Rajagriha — Haryanka capital; cyclopean wall; Venuvana; Griddhakuta; Saptaparni cave |
| Patna | Pataliputra — capital from Udayin to the Mauryas and beyond |
| Vaishali | Vajji capital; Second Buddhist Council |
| Champa (near Bhagalpur) | Capital of Anga |
The cyclopean wall of Rajgir, built of large undressed stones, is among the oldest surviving stone fortifications in India.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Which mahajanapada had its capital at Champa?
- Who is credited with founding Pataliputra?
- Where was the First Buddhist Council held, and in whose reign?
- Which Nanda ruler was called "ekarat"?
- Name two factors that helped Magadha's rise.
Mains-style:
- Examine the geographical and economic factors behind the rise of Magadha.
- "The foundations of the Mauryan empire were laid by the Haryankas and Nandas." Discuss.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Bihar Public Service Commission website .
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