history of the Bimbisara (546 - 494 B.C.)

                                                Bimbisara (546 - 494 B.C.)

Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. He consolidated
his position by matrimonial alliances. His first matrimonial alliance
was with the ruling family of Kosala. He married Kosaladevi, sister
of Prasenajit. He was given the Kasi region as dowry which yielded
large revenue. Bimbisara married Chellana, a princess of the Licchavi
family of Vaisali. This matrimonial alliance secured for him the safety
of the northern frontier. Moreover, it facilitated the expansion of
Magadha northwards to the borders of Nepal. He also married
Khema of the royal house of Madra in central Punjab. Bimbisara
also undertook many expeditions and added more territories to his
empire. He defeated Brahmadatta of Anga and annexed that
kingdom. He maintained friendly relations with Avanti. He had also
efficiently reorganized the administration of his kingdom.
Bimbisara was a contemporary of both Vardhamana Mahavira
and Gautama Buddha. However, both religions claim him as their
supporter and devotee. He seems to have made numerous gifts to the Buddhist Sangha.

                                                       Ajatasatru (494 - 462 B.C.)

The reign of Ajatasatru was remarkable for his military conquests.

He fought against Kosala and Vaisali. His won a great success against

a formidable confederacy led by the Lichchavis of Vaisali. This had

increased his power and prestige. This war lasted for about sixteen

years. It was at this time that Ajatasatru realised the strategic importance

of the small village, Pataligrama (future Pataliputra). He fortified it to

serve as a convenient base of operations against Vaisali.

Buddhists and Jains both claim that Ajatasatru was a follower

of their religion. But it is generally believed that in the beginning he

was a follower of Jainism and subsequently embraced Buddhism.

He is said to have met Gautama Buddha. This scene is also depicted

in the sculptures of Barhut. According to the Mahavamsa, he

constructed several chaityas and viharas. He was also instrumental

in convening the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha soon after the

death of the Buddha.

The immediate successor of Ajatasatru was Udayin. He laid

the foundation of the new capital at Pataliputra situated at the

confluence of the two rivers, the Ganges and the Son. Later it became

famous as the imperial capital of the Mauryas. Udayin’s successors

were weak rulers and hence Magadha was captured by Saisunaga.

Thus the Haryanka dynasty came to an end and the Saisunaga

dynasty came to power.

                                                      Saisunaga dynasty

The genealogy and chronology of the Saisunagas are not clear.

Saisunaga defeated the king of Avanti which was made part of the

Magadhan Empire. After Saisunaga, the mighty empire began to

collapse. His successor was Kakavarman or Kalasoka. During his

reign the second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali. Kalasoka

was killed by the founder of the Nanda dynastyNandas

The fame of Magadha scaled new heights under the Nanda

dynasty. Their conquests went beyond the boundaries of the Gangetic

basin and in North India they carved a well-knit and vast empire.

Mahapadma Nanda was a powerful ruler of the Nanda

dynasty. He uprooted the kshatriya dynasties in north India and

assumed the title ekarat. The Puranas speak of the extensive

conquests made by Mahapadma. The Hathigumpha inscription of

Kharavela of Kalinga refers to the conquest of Kalinga by the

Nandas. Many historians believe that a considerable portion of the

Deccan was also under the control of the Nandas. Therefore,

Mahapadma Nanda may be regarded as a great empire builder.

According to the Buddhist tradition, Mahapadma Nanda ruled

about ten years. He was succeeded by his eight sons, who ruled

successively. The last Nanda ruler was Dhana Nanda. He kept the

Magadhan empire intact and possessed a powerful army and

enormous wealth. The fabulous wealth of the Nandas is also

mentioned by several sources. The enormous wealth of the Nandas

is also referred to in the Tamil Sangam work Ahananuru by the

poet Mamulanar. The flourishing state of agriculture in the Nanda

dominions and the general prosperity of the country must have

brought to the royal treasury enormous revenue. The oppressive

way of tax collection by Dhana Nanda was resented by the people.

Taking advantage of this, Chandragupta Maurya and Kautilya

initiated a popular movement against the Nanda rule. It was during

this time that Alexander invaded India.