Saturday, June 19, 2010

ORIGIN

The end of the Vedic Age (1500 BC-600 BC) was followed by the rise of small kingdoms and republics in the northern parts of India and especially in the Gangetic plains of Bihar. These small states later paved the way for large empires. The entrenchment of the caste system, which divided the society be-tween the rulers and the ruled, also facilitated the rise of these states.

CAUSES
The earlier Aryan societies in India were tribal in context. Tribal chiefs, whose office was not hereditary, ruled these tribes. The criterion of selection was the number of cattle (cows in particular) a person owned. Clans often fought with each other over the control of herds of cattle. As the population of the tribes grew, their needs and aspirations also began to rise. In the course of time, the erstwhile small settlements grew into large settlements and managing large tracts of land became a problem. Soon these societies saw the rise of a ruling class, which belonged to the Kshatriya (warrior class) caste.

The strength of the early Aryan tribes was derived from the Jana (people) and not the Janapada (land). During the latter part of the Later Vedic Age (1000 BC-600 BC), all this changed with the rising influence of the Kshatriya (warrior class) caste and the Brahmin caste (priestly class), which took the reigns of the society in their hands and marginalized the other castes. The Kshatriyas and Brahmins worked in tandem and began to exploit the people belonging to the lower castes.

However, there was also a rift between the Kshatriyas on one hand and the Brahmins on the other hand. The rising influence of the Brahmins began to collide with the rule of the Kshatriyas, who formed the ruling class of each kingdom or republic. The Kshatriyas were alarmed by the rising power of the Brahmins, but they could not do much as they required the services of the Brahmins in all religious rituals and state occasions. The rise of Buddhism and Jainism during this period was a natural outcome to counter the threat of the Brahmanical Hindu order, as the founders of these religions were themselves Kshatriyas or warriors.



THE FIRST KINGDOMS
In the course of time, small settlements grew into small kingdoms and republics. A republic is that form of government where the power is held by the people or a group of elected people or elected chief. The concept of hereditary kingship is not present in republics. The main ruling class, which held the power of these republics, was the Kshatriya. Non-Kshatriyas were not a part of the ruling class in these republics. In the 6th century BC, 16 small territorial states or Mahajanapadas were formed. Of these 16 states, Magadh, Kosala, Vatsa, and Avanti were powerful. These various states constantly fought with each other for over a century to prove their supremacy.

THE KINGDOM OF MAGADH
The state of Magadh gained the upper hand over all other territorial kingdoms under the able leadership of Bimbisara (542 BC-493 BC) and his son Ajatshatru (493 BC-461 BC). The victory of Magadh over other states was predominantly a victory of the monarchical system. The rise of Magadh and the decline of the states with republican form of governance laid the foundation for hereditary system of governance.

The kingdom of Magadh was spread throughout a large area of the Gangetic plains. As this region had large deposits of iron ore, Magadh made ample use of it for making weapons and agricultural implements. Iron weapons strengthened the Magadh kingdom, while agricultural tools were used to extensively clear forests and bring more and more land under the plough. All this added to the material wealth of Magadh. It also took control of large stretches of river Ganga, which was used as a trade route. Ajatshatru was succeeded by his son Udayan (460 BC-444 BC), who established his capital in Pataliputra (present-day Patna). The first archeological evidence about large-scale architectural activities comes from this city.

RISE OF MAGADHA

RISE OF MAGADHA:

In North India 16 kingdoms were formed by the 6th century BC. They are called Maha Janapadas. They are:

KINGDOM - CAPITAL

Anga - Champa
Kasi - Varanasi
Kosala - Sravasti
Chedi - Shaktimati
Panchala - Ahichhartra,
Avanti - Ujjaini
Magadha - Girivjram, Rajagruham, Pataliputram
Surasena - Madhura
Matchya - Viratanagaram
Gandhara - Taxasila
Kambhoja - Rajapuram,
Malla - Pavapuri
Vajji - Midhilanagaram,
Asmaka - Puthan

Magadha empire is located in the catchment area of Ganga and Yamuna revers. Magadha has extensive fertile lands. Various minaral mines were located in Magadha kingdom. Politically,economically and industrially Magadha was very strong due to the availability of plenty iron ore, cuppor and other minerals. Mountains beside Magadha gave protection from enemies. Due to this Magadha was well developed among the all 16 Mahajanapadas.

The main dynasties that ruled Magadha are:
BRUHADRADHA DYNASTY: Bruhadratha is the founder of this dynasty. Gerasandhudu is the greatest among the rulers of this dynasty. He contemporary of krishna.
HARYANKA DYNASTY: Bindusara is the founder of this dynasty. He is the contemporary of Gowthama buddha he is the first king in India who has standing army (later this type of Army is kept by Allauddin Khilzi)
He occupied champa by defeating the Brahmadatta. He oppointed his son Ajatasatru as viceroy of Anga. He married Kosala princes and got kasi as dowery. He also married lichavi prince challana and Madra prince. But he was died in the hands of his son, Ajatrasatru. So this dynasty is called Pithruhantahaka dynasty. Ajatasatru is the greatest king in this dynasty.

The Rise of Magadha

Of the 16 mahajanapada, Magadha was the strongest. It was in what is now the southern part of the modern Indian state of Bihar. Magadha was ruled over by kings of different dynasties during its long period of existence.

King Bindusara (545/544-493 B.C.) of the Haryanka dynasty is credited with the founding of this dynasty the brilliance of which illuminated the history of India for a long time.

The Sisunaga dynasty captured power from the Haryanka dynasty. This period saw the glory of the development of the Buddha-Jaina religions.

After the Sisunagas, it was the period of the Nanda dynasty to be followed by the Maurya. The Magadha-Maurya period lasted for about four centuries, and it was a brilliant period in the political history of Northern India of the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries B.C. As historians have qualified “it was a period of colorful events when the first large states of India took shape, gained strength and then contended for supremacy.”

Magadha was the dominant force in the political scene of Northern India of those times. This name if first mentioned in the Atharva Veda, and later it is seen mentioned in several other ancient Indian sources. The fertile soil of this state and the enthusiasm of the people for cultivation resulted in the fast development of agriculture and the state became richer. Very soon the state entered into trade relationship with other parts of India.

The ancient capital of it was Rajagriha and is now Rajagir. Magadha pursued a policy of expansionism and it had links with the states of Eastern and Northern India. The powerful states of Koshala, Avanti and Lichchavi were the contestants with Magadha for controlling the trade routes, especially the Ganges river system. This resulted in frequent wars.

King Udayin (461-445 B.C.) shifted the capital of Magadha from Rajagriha to Pataliputra (modern Patna) and it became a very famous center of wealth, learning and power in ancient India.

The 16 Mahajanapadas

Mahajanapadas

Capitals

Locations

Gandhara

Taxila

Covering the region between Kabul and Rawalpindi in North Western Province.

Kamboja

Rajpur

Covering the area around the Punch area in Kashmir

Asmaka

Potana

Covering modern Paithan in Maharashtra; on the bank of River Godavari

Vatsa

Kaushambi

Covering modern districts of Allahabad and Mirzapur

Avanti

Ujjain

Covering modern Malwa (Ujjain) region of Madhya Pradesh.

Surasena

Mathura

Located in the Mathura region at the junction of the Uttarapath & Dakshinapath

Chedi

Shuktimati

Covering the modern Budelkhand area

Maila

Kushinara, Pawa

Modern districts of Deoria, Basti, Gorakhapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Later merged into Maghada Kingdom

Kurus

Hastinapur/Indraprastha

Covering the modern Haryana and Delhi area to the west of River Yamuna

Matsya

Virat Nagari

Covering the area of Alwar, Bharatpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan

Vajjis

Vaishali

Located to the north of the River Ganga in Bihar. It was the seat of united republic of eight smaller kingdoms of which Lichhavis, Janatriks and Videhas were also members.

Anga

Champa

Covering the modern districts of Munger and Bhagalpur in Bihar. The Kingdoms were later merged by Bindusara into Magadha.

Kashi

Banaras

Located in and around present day Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Kosala

Shravasti

Covering the present districts of Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, etc.

Magadga

Girivraja/Rajgriha

Covering modern districts of Patna, Gaya and parts of Shahabad.

Panchala

Ahichhatra (W. Panchala),
Kampilya (S. Panchala)

Present day Rohilkhand and part of Central Doab in Uttar Pradesh.

Kings of Magadha
Brihadratha Dynasty

Semi-legendary rulers in Purana accounts.

  • Brihadratha
  • Jarasandha
  • Sahadeva
  • Somapi (1678-1618 BC)
  • Srutasravas (1618-1551 BC)
  • Ayutayus (1551-1515 BC)
  • Niramitra (1515-1415 BC)
  • Sukshatra (1415-1407 BC)
  • Brihatkarman (1407-1384 BC)
  • Senajit (1384-1361 BC)
  • Srutanjaya (1361-1321 BC)
  • Vipra (1321-1296 BC)
  • Suchi (1296-1238 BC)
  • Kshemya (1238-1210 BC)
  • Subrata (1210-1150 BC)
  • Dharma (1150-1145 BC)
  • Susuma (1145-1107 BC)
  • Dridhasena (1107-1059 BC)
  • Sumati (1059-1026 BC)
  • Subhala (1026-1004 BC)
  • Sunita (1004-964 BC)
  • Satyajit (964-884 BC)
  • Biswajit (884-849 BC)
  • Ripunjaya (849-799 BC)

Pradyota dynasty

Ruling 799-684 BC according to calculations based on the Vayu Purana[citation needed].

  • Pradyota
  • Palaka
  • Visakhayupa
  • Ajaka
  • Varttivarddhana

Haryanka dynasty (545-413 BCE)[5]

  • Bimbisara (545-493 BCE), founder of the first Magadhan empire[6][7]
  • Ajatashatru (493-461 BCE)
  • Udayabhadra (461-445 BCE)
  • Aniruddha
  • Munda
  • Nagadasaka (437-413 BC)
  • Shishunaga dynasty (413-345 BCE)[8]
  • Shishunaga (413-395 BCE), established the kingdom of Magadha
  • Kakavarna Kalashoka (395-367 BCE)
  • Mahanandin (367-345 BCE), his empire is inherited by his illegitimate son Mahapadma Nanda

Nanda Dynasty (345-321 BCE)

  • Mahapadma Nanda Ugrasena (from 345 BCE), illegitimate son of Mahanandin, founded the Nanda Empire after inheriting Mahanandin's empire
  • Pandhuka
  • Panghupati
  • Bhutapala
  • Rashtrapala
  • Govishanaka
  • Dashasidkhaka
  • Kaivarta
  • Dhana (Agrammes, Xandrammes) (until 321 BCE), lost his empire to Chandragupta Maurya after being defeated by him

Maurya Dynasty (324-184 BC)

Shunga Dynasty (185-73 BC)

Kanva Dynasty (73-26 BC)

  • Vasudeva (from 73 BC)
  • Successors of Vasudeva (until 26 BC)

Gupta Dynasty (c. 240-550 AD)

Posted by INDIAN HISTORY at 9:31 AM
Labels:

0 comments:

Post a Comment