Mahajanapadas (600-321 BCE)
Overview
| Mahajanapadas Overview | Shift from clan-based societies to territorial states (~6th century BCE), marking Second Urbanisation. Mentioned in Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya and Jaina Bhagavati Sutra. |
1. Monarchies vs Republics & Key Mahajanapadas
| Monarchies vs Gana Sanghas | Monarchies: Centralised, standing armies, sole revenue rights for king. Republics (Gana-sanghas): Tribal chief oligarchy, shared revenue rights (Vajji, Malla). |
| Key Mahajanapadas & Capitals | Magadha (Bihar, Rajgir/Pataliputra); Vajji (Vaishali, Gana-sangha); Anga (Champa); Avanti (Ujjain/Mahishmati); Malla (Kushinara); Kosala (Sravasti); Vatsa (Kaushambi); Gandhara (Taxila); Assmaka (Godavari, only southern Mahajanapada). |
2. Rise of Magadha & Pre-Mauryan Dynasties
| Strategic Factors for Magadha | Protected geography (rivers & Rajgir hills), Chotanagpur iron ore, elephant corps, fertile alluvial soil. |
| Haryanka & Shishunaga Dynasties | Haryanka: Bimbisara (standing army); Ajatashatru (First Buddhist Council, Mahashilakantaka); Udayin (founded Pataliputra). Shishunaga: Destroyed Avanti; Kalashoka (Second Buddhist Council). |
| Nanda Dynasty | Mahapadma Nanda: First non-Kshatriya king (Ekarat). Dhana Nanda: Ruler during Alexander's invasion. |
3. Foreign Invasions (Persian & Greek)
| Persian & Greek Invasions | Persian: Darius I annexed NW India; introduced Kharoshthi script. Greek: Alexander (327-325 BCE); Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) against Porus; army mutinous at Beas. |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & Exam Traps
| Only Southern Mahajanapada | Assmaka (located on Godavari river). |
| Pataliputra Founder | Udayin of Haryanka dynasty. |
| Panini Association | Panini (grammarian) associated with Gandhara / Taxila. |
| Vatsa Ruler | King Udayana of Vatsa (featured in Bhasa's Svapnavasavadattam). |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Vaishali Licchavi Republic:
- 16 Mahajanapadas Map:
