The period between 600-300 BCE is known as the period of Mahajanapada, also known as the era of ‘Second Urbanisation’. Large territorial states began to emerge around the sixth century BCE as a result of the growing usage of iron. With the help of agricultural tools and implements, peasants were able to produce more food than was needed, and the warrior class also gained prominence as a result of the iron weapon, which allowed them to expand at the expense of neighboring territories in addition to defending their land. Thus, by the end of the later Vedic age, the tribal polity gave way to the rise of territorial states. By 500 BCE, Janapadas became a common feature. Panini mentions approximately forty Janapadas, encompassing even Afghanistan and southeast Central Asia. Some of the Janapadas, including Magadha and Kosala, evolved into Mahajanapadas by the sixth century BCE. According to the Buddhist canonical text Anguttara Nikaya, the land between the Himalayas and Narmada was divided into “Solasa Mahajanapada”. They were either monarchical or Oligarchic. The monarchies were mainly found in the Gangetic Plains while the republics were situated around the foothills of the Himalayas and in the north-western India in modern Punjab.
State | Capital | Other Related Aspect |
Kashi | Varanasi | Emerged as a leading center of cotton textile manufacture during the time of Buddha. Kashi was involved in occasional conflict with Anga and Magadha but later was absorbed into the Kosala kingdom. |
Kosala | Shravasti (Northern Capital), Kushavati (Southern Capital) | King: Prasenjit(Buddha’s contemporary). Kosala was eventually annexed by the Magadha. |
Vajji | Vaishali(North Bihar) | King: Chetaka. He was the Brother of Trishala (mother of Mahavira) and father of Chellana (wife of Bimbisara). According to Buddhagosa’s commentary on the Digha Nikaya, the Sumangalavilashini, the Vajjis were a confederacy of 8 clans. It was not easy for Ajatshatru to break the unity of the Vrijjis. With the advice of Vatsakar started creating dissensions among 8 clans. Two innovative weapons-Rathmushal and Mahashilakantaka were employed. Finally, after 16 years Vajjis were defeated and annexed by Magadha. |
Mallas | Kushinara and Pava | Buddha took his last meal at Pava and went to his Mahaparinirvana at Kushinara. The Mallas appeared to have formed an alliance with the Lichhavis for self-defense but lost their independence and their dominions were annexed to the Magadhan empire. |
Chedi | Shuktimati or Sotthivatinagara | King: Shishupala |
Vatsa | Kaushambi near Allahabad | King: Udayana. Famous for its fine cotton textile. |
Kuru | Indraprastha | Up to the time of the Buddha, the kurus were a monarchy, subsequently, they became a sangha. |
Panchala | Ahichchhatra(northern part, present-day Bareilly, U.P.) and Kampilya (Southern part, present-day Farukkabad, U.P.) | The famous city of Kannauj was situated in this kingdom. |
Matsya | Viratnagara(Rajasthan) | Founder: Virata Later, it was absorbed into the Magadhan Empire. |
Shurasena | Mathura | King: Avantiputra (Disciple of Buddha). Mathura was also known at the time of Magasthenes as the center of Krishna worship. It was annexed by the Magadhan Empire. |
Avanti | Ujjayini and Mahishamati | King: Pradyota (Father-in-law of Udayana). It was annexed by the Magadhan king Sishunaga. |
Gandhara | Taxila | King: Pushkarasarin. He had cordial relations with Magadha and waged a successful war against Avanti. |
Kamboja | Rajapur | According to pliny, Cyrus 1 destroyed the famous kamboja city. |
Assaka | Potali | It was the only Mahajanapada situated to the south of the Vindhya Range. It was annexed to Magadha during the rule of Mahapadma Nanda. |
Magadha | Rajgir later shifted to Patliaputra | Magadha was ruled by 3 prominent dynasties from the post-vedic times till the rise of the Mauryas: Haryanka, Sishunaga, and Nanda. During the rule of these dynasties, it emerged as the most powerful Mahajanpadas annexing almost all the other Mahajanpadas. |
Anga | Champa | Champa was an important trade and commercial center with its merchants trading with Suvarnabhumi (Southeast Asia) |
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