Test: Territorial States & First Magadha Empire - UPSC MCQ

Bimbisara or Srenika of the Haryanka Dynasty was the first important ruler of the Magadhan Empire. He ascended the throne in the second half of the 6th century B.C. and ruled for 52 years.

Bimbisara, the first important ruler of the Magadhan Empire, was a contemporary of Buddha and patronized Buddhism. Both Mahavira and Buddha preached their doctrines during his reign.

Bimbisara founded the city of Rajgriha, north of Girivarj, during his reign as the king of the Magadhan Empire.

Ajatshatru killed his father Bimbisara and seized the throne of Magadha. Both Mahavira and Buddha died during his reign.

Ajatshatru, the ruler of Magadha, fortified the village of Pataligram which stood near the confluence of Ganga and Sone. He thus founded the famous city of Pataliputra.

Udayan, the successor of Ajatshatru, shifted the capital of Magadha to Pataliputra.

The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunagas in the Magadhan Empire. Shishunaga was a viceroy of Banaras and was invited by the people to take over the throne.

Mahapadmananda was the greatest king of the Nanda dynasty. He conquered Kalinga and brought an image of Jina as a victory trophy. He claimed to be Ekarath (the sole sovereign).

The Nanda dynasty is sometimes called "the first empire builder of India" because they established the first imperial and centralized structure in the Magadhan Empire.

Chandragupta Maurya defeated the last Nanda king, Bhadrasala, and established the Mauryan Empire.

Alexander crossed the Hindu-kush and occupied the district of Kabul in 326 B.C. He then crossed the Sulaiman range through the Khyber pass and crossed the Indus.

Ambhi, the king of Taxila, surrendered to Alexander without offering any resistance.

Alexander's troops forced him to turn back from India at the Beas river, fearing mutiny if they were made to advance further into the unknown country.

Alexander remained in India for 19 months from 326-325 B.C.

The most important outcome of Alexander's invasion of India was the establishment of direct contact between India and Greece in different fields. His campaign opened up four distinct routes by land and sea, and he sent 200,000 oxen from India to Macedonia for use in Greece.