History of Magadha Empire, Rulers and Important Facts

History of Magadha Empire:

In the middle of the 6th century BC, the Mahajanapadas of sixteen major states had ceased to exist and when the rulers of Magadha were constantly trying to establish a complete empire in northern India. At that time it was ruled by 4 dominant monarchies – Magadha, Kaushal, Avanti and Vatsa. In the past, Magadha established a huge and strong empire by taking control of these three monarchies. Magadha has been called an impure country in Vedic literature.

This kingdom was founded by Brihadratha who was the father of Jarasandha and the son of Vasu Chaudh-Uparichar. It was Brihadratha who laid the foundation of the Brihadratha dynasty. In this dynasty, Jarasandh, the son of Brahdrath, has been a mighty ruler, a detailed description of his bravery and power is found in the Mahabharata. Brihadratha's dynasty came to an end in the 6th century BC, because according to the Puranas, Magadha was ruled by King 'Bimbisara', the ruler of the 'Shishunaga' dynasty in the century when Gautam Buddha gave his teachings. But in Buddhist literature, at that time Magadha was ruled by 'Haryak dynasty' and Bimbisara belonged to this clan.

History of the major ruler and dynasty that expanded the Magadha Empire:

History of Haryanka Dynasty

• Bimbisara – The first king of the Haryanka dynasty was Bimbisara. He was the son of an ordinary chieftain named Bhatia and at the age of 15 he was coronated in 544 BC. Bimbisara is also known as Shrenik according to the Puranas. Bimbisara had three marriages, with Kaushal Devi, the sister of Kaushal king Prasenjit, Chelna, daughter of Lichchavi king Chetak, and Kshema, daughter of Madra king. He defeated Bramhdatta, the king of Anga (Munger and Bhagalpur). Bimbisara was a follower of Buddhism, he built Rajgriha and made it the capital. The planner of this city was Mahagovind. Bimbisara was killed in 492 AD by his son Ajatshatru. According to Buddhaghosa, there were 80 thousand villages in Bimbisara's empire and their extension was more than 900 miles. Bimbisara had provided the garden named Beluvan for the sake of the Buddha and the Sangha.
• Ajatashatru – Ajatashatru 492 B.C. I was sitting on the throne of Magadha. Ajatshatru's second name was Kunik because of the death of his father. He had killed his father at the behest of Gautama Buddha's cousin Devadatta. Ajatashatru was married to Vajira, the daughter of King Prasenjit of Kosala. He assigned the task of creating a rift among the Lichchavi kings to his two able ministers Sunil and Vasskar, after which there was a war with the Lichchavi kings of Vaishali in which Ajatshatru won. In this, Ajatashatru used two weapons named Mahashilakantaka and Rathmusal for the first time in the war against Lichchhavis. It was first influenced by Jainism but later started following Buddhism. He had built a huge son in Rajgraha. Ajatashatru was killed by his son Udayin in 461 BC.
• Udayin – Udayin was a follower of Jainism. He founded a city called Pataliputra at the confluence of the Ganges and Son rivers. In Buddhist texts, Udayin is called Pitruhanta. In Jain texts, Udayin has been described as a devotee of the father. Nagadashaka was the last ruler of the Haryanka dynasty.

History of the Shishunaga dynasty

• Shishunag – Nagdashak was killed by his uncle Shishunag. After this, he established the Shishunag dynasty in 412 BC. He proved to be a very brave and courageous emperor. As soon as he sat on the throne, he attacked the state of Avanti and won. After this, he established his authority over Vats state and Kaushal state as well. Shishunag made his capital at Vaishali. He died after ruling successfully for eighteen years.
• Kalashoka – After Shishunaga, his son Kalakosha sat on the throne of Magadha. He made his capital at Pataliputra. During the reign of Kalashoka, the second Buddhist Council was organized in Vaishali. The last ruler of the Shishunaga dynasty was Nandivardhana.

History of the Nanda dynasty

• Mahapadma Nanda – After the death of Nandivardhana, his son Mahapadma Nanda established the Nanda dynasty (according to Puranas and Jain literature, he was the first non-Kshatriya king). It is also called the destroyer of. But he had assumed the title of second Parshuram. He conquered Kalinga and suppressed the rebellious Kosala kingdom. According to the Puranas, he ruled for 28 years.
• Dhanananda – Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. Bhattashal Dhananand's commander Shaktar and Rakshasa were his Amatyas respectively. Nanda dynasty was famous for the richest state and huge army. Alexander's contemporary ruler was Dhananand. Chandragupta Maurya destroyed the Nanda dynasty. And Chanakya did it. The Nanda dynasty was one of the few earlier non-Kshatriya dynasties. The Nandas have got the name of the first empire builders of India. After this Chandragupta Maurya established the Maurya dynasty.

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