MAGADHA EMPIRE

Background of Magadha Empire

The four Mahajanapadas - Magadha, koshala, Avanti, Vatsa were vying for supremacy from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC.
Finally, Magadha emerged victoriously and was able to gain sovercighty.
It became the most powerful State in ancient India.
Magadha is situated in modern bihar.
Jarasandha, who was a descendant of brihadratha founded the Empire in Magadha.
Both are talked about in the Mahabharata.

There was three dynasty ruled over the Magadha Empire.

1.Haryanka Dynasty.

2.Shisunaga Dynasty.

3.Nanda Dynasty.

Founder of Haryanka Dynasty.
Contemporary and follower of the Buddha and an admirer of Mahavira.
Had his capital at Girivraja ( rajgir - he built the city).
Also known as seniya ( the first using to have a standing army).
He started the practice of using matrimonial alliances.
He had three wives:- kosaldevi(king of kisalas doughter and the sister of prasanjit- got kushi as the dowry), chellana ( doughter of the lichchhavi chief of the vaisali), khema (doughter of the king of misra, Punjab).
He conquered Anga.

Son of bimbisara and chellana.
He killed his father and became ruler.
He followed aggressive policy-gained control are kushi by attacking his maternal uncle Prasenjit.
Embraced Buddhism.
He convened the first Buddhist council at Rajgriha just after the death of Buddha in 483 BC.
Won wars against vajji , kosala and vaisali.
He built fort of Rajgriha and jaladurga at patli (bank of river Ganga).

Son of ajatasatru.
Shifted the capital to pataliputra (patna).
Succeeded by three kings, Aniruddha, Manda and Nagadasaka respectively who all were weak.