Old NCERT Gist (RS Sharma): Territorial States and the First Magadhan Empire | Additional Study Material for UPSC PDF Download

Reasons behind the rise of territorial states

• rise of iron-based agricultural economy led to increasing agricultural surpluses which could finance the standing army of state.
• increasing need for agricultural land led to wars and expansion.
• People owed strong allegiance to janpada (territory) rather than to their jana (tribe).

About Mahajanapadas

• There were 16 Mahajanpadas in the age of Buddha from the north ofI     Vindhyas to the west of Bihar.
• Four most powerful empires were: Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha.
• Magadha consisted of Modem day Patna. Gaya and Parts of shahbad
• Vajjis included eight class among them most powerful were Licchavis with capital at Vaishali.
• Kosala (Eastern UP) had their capital at Sravasti.
• Avanti (central Malwa and MP) had Northern capital at Ujjain and southern at Mahishmati.

Rise and Growth of Magadha Empire

• Bimbisara was the founder of Magadha Empire who belonged to Hiryanka dynasty
• He followed the policy of aggrandizement and conquest. He also forged matrimonial alliances by marrying the daughters of Koshala, Licchavi and Madra dynasties.
• He became friends with Mahasena of Avanti and received embassy from ruler of Gandhara

➢ Their first capital was at Rajgir
(i) Ajatshatru: successor of Bimbisara, also followed aggressive policy of expansion and won battles against Kosala and Lichhavis.

(ii) Udayin: Built Patna fort on confluence of Ganga and Son because of Patna’s strategic location.

(iii) Sisungas: Temporarily shifted capital to Vaishali and destroyed Avanti, ending the 100-year conflict. Ujjain remained in Magadhan empire till end of Maurya rule.

Rise of Mighty Nandas

• Nandas captured power from Mauryans and succeeded Sisunaga. They Captured Kalinga.
• Alexander invaded Punjab but did not move East fearing the Nandas.
• Mahapadma Nanda(title ekarat) - sole sovereign) was the most powerful. Maintained a large army via an efficient tax collection system.
• Later Nandas were unpopular and weak.
• The rule was taken over by Mauryas during Dhanananda.

An Assessment of Magadha Empire

• Ambitious and enterprising rulers.
• Advantageous geographic location. Rich deposits of iron in vicinity, enabling superior weapons. Iron deposits were also found near eastern MP (Avanti). So, Avanti proved to be a tougher competitor compared to others.
• Rajgir was impregnable. Second capital at Pataliputra was on confluence of 3 rivers Ganga, Gandak and Son. Army could move in all directions quickly, which was advantageous during wars. Pataliputra was called jaldurg (water fort).
• Fertile alluvial plains = surplus agricultural produce = more taxes = more money = better army.
• Rise of towns and use of coins consequently trade expanded in north India
• Military organization: First state to use elephants in warfare.
• Unorthodox character of Magadhan society: original inhabitants were looked down upon by orthodox Brahmanas, Advent of Vedic religion and more enthusiasm for expansion than the kingdoms.