Political and economic history (600 BC to 600 AD).
Political and economic history (600 BC to 600 AD): The period from 600 BC to 600 AD is famous for many important and influential changes in Indian history. In all political, social, religious and economic fields, the situation is different from that of the Harappan civilization.
The rise and development of states and empires and political contacts with foreign countries took place during this period. The social structure changed, varna and caste system became prevalent and new religious beliefs developed. Widespread use of iron tools began. Cities resurfaced along with a resurgence in trade, manufacturing, crafts, and agriculture. We study these changes on the basis of various sources. Apart from various texts written in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Tamil, inscriptions, coins and antiquities are prominent among them. Many researches have been done in modern times with the help of these evidences. As a result of this, there have been changes in many prevalent beliefs. An attempt has been made to establish a relationship between socio-economic development and political changes.
Rise of Mahajanapadas.
Importance of sixth century BC
The sixth century BC has special importance in Indian history. The period from sixth to fourth century BC is known as ‘Buddha era’ or ‘Pre-Maurya era’. During this period, the early states – Mahajanapadas emerged, Magadha imperialism developed and there were Iranian and Macedonian (Alexander’s) attacks on India. There was a change in socio-economic life. The use of iron increased in agriculture and crafts, coins began to circulate, trade and commerce developed and cities emerged, which is called Second Urbanisation. During this period, the religious reform movement took place, as a result of which Buddhist, Jain and other philosophical ideologies emerged. Pali literature and archaeological evidence are the main sources for the study of this period.
sixteen mahajanapadas
The process of establishment of regional states had started from the post-Vedic period. Jan (individual or clan) was changing into Janapada (area or plot of land where people lived) and Janapada into Mahajanapada (regional state). The following sixteen Mahajanapadas are listed in the Buddhist text Anguttarnikaya and the Jain text Bhagavati Sutra. There is some difference between these two lists. Most of the Mahajanapadas arose in the upper and middle Ganga plains including the Doab. Most of these were located north of Vindhya. The capitals of these Mahajanapadas became big cities of that time.
Genetic and Economic History (600 BC to 600 AD)]
The period from 600 BC to 600 AD is famous for many important and influential changes in Indian history. In all political, social, religious and economic fields, the situation is different from that of the Harappan civilization. The rise and development of states and empires and political contacts with foreign countries took place during this period. The social structure changed, varna and caste system became prevalent and new religious beliefs developed. Widespread use of iron tools began. Agriculture, crafts, industry and trade increased and cities came into existence again. We study these changes on the basis of various sources. Apart from various texts written in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Tamil, inscriptions, coins and antiquities are prominent among them. Many researches have been done in modern times with the help of these evidences. As a result of this, there have been changes in many prevalent beliefs. An attempt has been made to establish a relationship between socio-economic development and political changes.
Rise of Mahajanapadas
Importance of sixth century BC
The sixth century BC has special importance in Indian history. The period from sixth to fourth century BC is known as ‘Buddha era’ or ‘Pre-Maurya era’. During this period, the early states – Mahajanapadas emerged, Magadha imperialism developed and there were Iranian and Macedonian (Alexander’s) attacks on India. There was a change in socio-economic life. The use of iron increased in agriculture and crafts, coins began to circulate, trade and commerce developed and cities emerged, which is called Second Urbanisation. During this period, the religious reform movement took place, as a result of which Buddhist, Jain and other philosophical ideologies emerged. Pali literature and archaeological evidence are the main sources for the study of this period.
Sixteen mahajanapadas
The process of establishment of regional states had started from the post-Vedic period. Jan (individual or clan) was changing into Janapada (area or plot of land where people lived) and Janapada into Mahajanapada (regional state). The following sixteen Mahajanapadas are listed in the Buddhist text Anguttarnikaya and the Jain text Bhagavati Sutra. There is some difference between these two lists. Most of the Mahajanapadas arose in the upper and middle Ganga plains including the Doab. Most of these were located north of Vindhya. The capitals of these Mahajanapadas became big cities of that time.
1. Kashi– The capital of this state was Banaras or Varanasi. It was a famous city situated at the confluence of Varuna and Assi rivers. The Kashi kingdom had a rivalry with the kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha. Magadha emperor Ajatashatru captured Kashi and merged it into Magadha.
2. Kosal- Kosal state was spread in the Awadh region of eastern Uttar Pradesh. This kingdom was divided into two parts – Northern Kosal and Southern Kosal – by the Saryu river. The capital of Northern Kosala was Shravasti. Later it was shifted to Ayodhya or Saket. The capital of southern Kosala was Kushavati. King Prasenajit of Kosala was a contemporary of Buddha. Ajatashatru took control of this kingdom.
3. Anga- It extended to Munger and Bhagalpur districts of Rajya Vihar. capital of
Champa was famous as a famous trading centre. The king here was Brahmadutt.
After defeating him, King Vimbisara of Magadha merged it into Magadha.
4. Magadha – Magadha was the most powerful state among the sixteen Mahajanapadas. Areas of Old Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts were included under this. Its first capital was Girivraj (Rajgriha or Rajgir), later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra (modern Patna). Magadha established its influence on other Mahajanapadas and transformed into an empire.
5. Vrijji (Vajji) – Vrijji was a republic in the Tirhut division of Bihar, north of the Ganges river. It was a joint state (confederacy) of eight Ganas in which the Licchavi were the most influential. The capital of Vajjisangha and Lichchhavis was Vaishali city under modern Vaishali district, which has been identified with Basai and its adjacent village group. Magadha’s ruler Ajatashatru defeated it in the war and annexed it to his kingdom.
6.Malla- Malla Like Vajji, Malla was also a republican state. This kingdom was divided into two parts. The capital of one was Kushinara (Kasia, District Deoria, Uttar Pradesh) and the other was Pava (District Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh). This state also became a victim of Magadha imperialism.
7. Chedi: This state was situated in Bundelkhand region on the banks of Yamuna river. Its capital was Sotthivati. The famous king of Chedi was Shishupala whose mention is found in Mahabharata.
8. Vatsa – Vatsa kingdom was also spread along the banks of Yamuna river. Its capital was Kosam (Kaushambi) near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Here Buddha’s contemporary was King Udayan. Vatsa and Avanti states were rivals of each other.
9. Kuru- This state was located in Delhi-Meerut region. Its capital was Indraprastha (Delhi, near Purana Qila). The description of Kuru kingdom and its capital is found in Mahabharata. 10. Panchal – Panchal state was divided into two parts. The capital of Northern Panchal was Ahichchhatra (Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh) and that of Southern was Kampilya (Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh).
11. Surasena – This state was situated on the banks of river Yamuna. Its capital was Madhura. It was famous as a religious and trading city. Here the Yadus or Yaduvanshis ruled. Krishna’s name is also associated with Mathura.
12. Matsya – Bharatpur, Jaipur and Alwar districts of modern Rajasthan were included in this state. The capital of this state was Bairat or Biratnagar.
13. Ashmak (Assak) – This state was situated on the banks of Godavari near modern Paithan (Pratishthan) in Maharashtra. Paithan was a famous center of inland trade. The capital of this state was Potan. This state was constantly in conflict with Avanti.
14. Avanti – This was the most powerful state of Central India. This state was also divided into two parts. The capital of Northern Avanti was Ujjaini and the capital of Southern Avanti was Mahishmati. Ujjaini was situated on a major trade route (land route), hence its importance was very high. The famous king of Avanti was Chandpradyota. Earlier it had enmity with Vatsaraj Udayan, but
Later both of them developed family relations. Avati was friendly with Magadha. Magadha king Vimbisara had sent his famous physician Jeevak here from Rajgir for the treatment of Pradyota.
15. Gandhara – The kingdom of Gandhara was located in the Kabul Valley. Its capital was Taxila. It was the center of trade. It was also famous as an educational centre. The famous king here was Pushkarsarin. The struggle for sovereignty continued in Gandhara and Avati.
16. Kamboja: This was the neighboring kingdom of Gandhara which was located in the Pamir region of Central Asia (modern Tajikistan). The capital of the state was Hatak or Rajpur.
Sixteen Mahajanapadas and their capitals
Mahajanapada and Capital
- 1. Kashi-Varanasi
- 2. Kosal-Kushavati (South Kosala), organ
- 3.AngaChampa
- 4 Magadha-Rajgir (Rajgriha), Pataliputra
- 5. Vrijji-Vaishali
- 6. scum-Kushinara, Pava
- 7. Chedi-Sothivati
- 8. Vatsa-Kosam (Kaushabi)
- 9. Kuru-Indraprastha
- 10. Panchal-Ahicchatra (northern), Kampilya (southern)
- 11. Surasena-Mathura
- 12 fish-Baraat (Viratnagar)
- 13.Assak-Potan
- 14. Avanti-Ujjaini (Northern), Mahishmati (Southern)
- 15. Gandhara-Takshshila
- 16. Kamboj-Hatak.
Republic and monarchy
Among these sixteen Mahajanapadas, all the states except Vrijija and Malla were governed by the monarchical system where hereditary kings ruled. In the republican system, the elected king (Ganaraja) was the head of the government. These states were known as ‘Gana’ or ‘Sangha’. Republics were a type of oligarchical state in which a group of aristocrats ruled and elected their monarch. The Ganas had collective authority over all the economic resources of the state. In monarchy, all power was concentrated in the hands of the king. The king’s throne was generally reserved for the Kshatriyas. They managed their expenses by collecting taxes and tribute from the people of the state and by getting money from the spoils of war. On the basis of this money, the kings formed their army and bureaucracy and ruled the states.
rise of magadha
In the sixteen Mahajanapadas mentioned above, not everyone had the same situation. Even in the politics of that time, all of them did not play an equal role. The most important and influential states among these were Kashi, Kosala, Anga and Magadha. Vrijjisangha was prominent among the republics. There were mutual conflicts among them for sovereignty and expansion. The Magadha state was transformed from a Mahajanapada to an empire in this conflict. won and soon
There were many fundamental reasons behind the political rise of Magadha.
(i) Geographical position of Magadha – Magadha and its capitals Rajgriha and Pataliputra were in very safe places from strategic point of view. Rajgrih was surrounded by hills on all sides due to which there was no danger of external attack. Pataliputra was like a water fort with rivers all around it (Ganga, Gandak, Son, Punpun). Being internally secure, the kings of Magadha focused towards expanding the empire.
(ii) Economic prosperity of Magadha – This area was extremely fertile, hence there was abundant harvest. Due to additional agricultural production, industries and crafts developed, trade and commerce increased. This increased the economic prosperity of the state and provided abundant funds for the administration and army.
(iii) Military organization of Magadha: Magadha had iron mines. Due to this, new weapons of war were created which increased the military power of Magadha. Except Avanti, other states did not have iron reserves. Elephants were also available in Magadha, which the rulers of Magadha used in the army to strengthen their military power.
(iv) Contribution of the rulers of Magadha: According to Buddhist and Jain literature, the kings there also played an important role in the progress of Magadha. Vimbisara and Ajatashatru transformed Magadha into a powerful state with the help of diplomacy and military might.
Early history of Magadha
Information about the early history of Magadha is available from Mahabharata and Puranas. The first dynasty here was the Brihadratha dynasty founded by Brihadratha. Brihadratha’s glorious son was Jarasandha. The real rise of Magadha started with King Vimbisara (544-492 BC) of the Haryanka dynasty. By adopting a policy of war, diplomacy and friendship, he brought Avati and Gandhara under his influence. He sent the physician Jivaka for the treatment of King Pradyota of Avanti. He established matrimonial relations with the Licchavis of Madra, Kosal and Vaishali. Due to his marriage with the princess of Kosal, he got Kashi as dowry. Bimbisara attacked Anga and defeated its king Brahmadutta and merged Anga with Magadha. Magadha imperialism expanded rapidly during the time of Vimbisara’s son Ajatashatru (492-462 BC). His first conflict was with Kosal, but eventually both the states became friends. The most important battle of Ajatashatru was with the Lichchhavis of Vaishali. To conduct this war, he built a strong fort at Patligram on the southern bank of the Ganges. This place later became the capital of Magadha and became famous by the name of Pataliputra. There was a long struggle between Magadha and Vaishali in which Magadha ultimately won. Magadha gained control over Vrijjisagh. Shishunaga, the ruler of Magadha, conquered Avanti and merged it into Magadha. With this, the limits of Magadha expanded to Central India. In 364 BC, Nanda dynasty was established in Magadha by Ugrasen or Mahapadmananda. During his time the boundaries of Magadha expanded to the maximum. Nanda dynasty is famous as the first empire builder in Indian history. Under Magadha, entire India east of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Kalinga, the area of Godavari river, Maharashtra and Mysore came. Historian Pliny writes about Magadha, “Prashi (eastern region) was the best in the whole of India in terms of power and splendor. Its capital was Palibodhra (Pataliputra).” Mahapadma’s successors were not as worthy as him. Therefore, his power started weakening. At the same time, the Nandavanshi kings of Magadha started losing public support due to their tyrannical and indiscriminate rule. Dhanananda, who was a contemporary of Alexander, was a tyrannical and unpopular ruler. Therefore, Chandragupta Maurya seized power in 321 BC and established a new dynasty in Magadha – the Maurya dynasty.
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Haribol Gupta 
Gulshan Gupta