Rise of Magadha

 Before Mauryas, Magadha was ruled by 3 main dynasties:

•  Haryana
•  Shisunagas
•  Nandas
•  Mauryas

The Haryankas:

Between the 6th and the 4th centuries BCE, Magadha (in present-day Bihar) became the most powerful Mahajanapada.

Bimbisara: (542-493 BC)

•  He strengthened his position through marriage alliances. He took three wives.
•  Marriage relations with the different princely families gave enormous diplomatic prestige
• and paved the way for the expansion of Magadha westward and northward.
•  The earliest capital of Magadha was Rajgir, which was called Girivraja at that time.
• It was surrounded by five hills, the openings in which were closed by stone walls on all sides. This made Rajgir impregnable.

Ajatasatru: (492-460 BC)

 Ajatasatru killed his father and seized the throne for himself. Throughout his reign, he pursued an aggressive policy of expansion.

Udayin: (460-444 BC)

 His reign is important because he built the fort upon the confluence of the Ganga and Son at Patna. This was done because Patna lay in the center of the Magadhan kingdom.

Sisunagas:

 Udayin was succeeded by the dynasty of Sisunagas, who temporarily shifted the capital to Vaishali. Their greatest achievement was the destruction of the power of the Avanti with its capital at Ujjain. This brought to an end the 100 years old rivalry between Magadha and Avanti.

The Nandas:

• The Sisunagas were succeeded by the Nandas, who proved to be the most powerful rulers of Magadha. So great was their power that Alexander, who invaded Punjab at that time,
• did not dare to move toward the east. The Nandas added to the Magadha power by conquering Kalinga from where they brought an image of the Jina as a victory trophy.
•  All this took place during the reign of Mahapadma Nanda. He claimed to the ekarat, the sole sovereign who destroyed all the other ruling princes.

Haryankas

1. Bimbisara(542-493BC)

•  Marriage alliances
•  Earliest capital of Magadha: Girivraj (Rajgir)

2. Ajatashatru(492-460BC)

 Killed his father, aggressive expansion

3. Udayin(460-444BC)

Killed father, Built fort on the confluence of Ganga n Son at Patna

Sisunagas:

 Elected by the people (1st king)

 Temporarily shifted the capital to Vaishali

 Destruction of Avanti (100 years old struggle), capital Ujjain

Nanda:

•  Most powerful Magadha dynasty
•  1st non-Kshatriya rulers
•  Alexander's invasion, use of elephants
•  Mahapadma Nanda (Title: Ekarat)
•  Unorthodox characters, Buddhism, etc easily spread

Causes for the rise of Magadha:

• Advantages of geographical location with both Rajgir and Pataliputra situated at strategic locations.
•  The abundance of natural resources, such as iron, enabled Magadhan rulers to equip themselves with effective weapons.
• The alluvial soil of the Gangetic plains and sufficient rainfall were they conducive to agriculture production.