Summary on the Rise and
Growth of Magadha Empire
The Magadha Empire came into existence when the four
Mahajanpada- Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti were
engaged in the struggle for the supremacy from the 6th
Century BC to 4th Century BC. Ultimately, Magadha
emerged as the most powerful and prosperous kingdom
in the North India.
Here, we are giving the summary on the Rise and Growth
of Magadha Empire for the quick revision that helps the
aspirants in the preparation of the competitive
examinations like UPSC-prelims, SSC, State Services,
NDA, CDS, and Railways etc.
Rise and Growth of Magadha Empire: A Detailed
Summary
Jarasandha and Brihadratha was the founder of
Magadha but the growth started under the Haryankas,
expansion took place under the Sisungas and Nandas and
reached under its zenith point under the Mauryas.
Haryanka Dynasty
There were three important kings in Haryanaka
Dynasty- Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and
Udayin.Giriviraja was the earliest capital of Magdha and
later shifted to Rajagriha.
Bimbisara (Soeniya or Sreniya)
1. He was the first king to have standing army and
contemporary to the Buddha.
2. He was the first who started matrimonial alliances to
strengthen its position as a king after defeating
Brahamadutta (Anga King).
3. He married to the Mahakosaladevi (princes of
Koshala and siter of Prasanjit), Licchhavi
princes Chellana and Khema (Princes of Madra clan of
Punjab).
4. Marriage relation with the different princely families
gave enormous diplomatic prestige and paved the way
for the expansion of Magadha western and northward.
5. Pukkusati came into his court who was
the ambassador of the Gandhara ruler of Taxila.
6. He sent his personal physician Jivak(son of Salavati),
to his rival ChandapradyotaMahasena of Ujjain to
cure him of jaundice.
Ajatshatru (Kunika)
1. He was the son of Chellana and Bimbisara who
occupied throne by killing his father.
2. He was a contemporary of both Mahavira and
Gautama Buddha.
3. He was also instrumental in convening theFirst
Buddhist Council at Rajagriha soon after the death of
Buddha.
Udayin
1. Son and successor of Ajatshatru
2. Built the fort on the confluence of the Ganga and the
Son river at Patliputra (now Patna)
3. He was murder at the instigation of the king of Avanti,
Palak. He was succeeding by week
successors- Anuruddha, Munda and Naga-Dasak.
Sisunaga Dynasty
1. Sisunaga was the minster of the Naga-Dasak and was
elected by the people.
2. He destroyed the Prayota Dynasty of Avanti that ended
the 100 years old rivalry between Magadha and Avanti.
3. Kakasoka (Kakvarin) succeeded Sisunaga.
4. He transfers the capital from Vaishali to Patliputra and
patronage the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali.
The Gupta Empire: A Detailed Summary
Nanda Dynasty
It was first non-kshatriya dynasty and
Mahapandmanand
1. He founded the dynasty.
2. He was also known as Ekaarat, Eka-
Chchhatra (Sovereign ruler), Sarvakshatrantaka or
Ugrasena (popsser of huge army).
3. According to the Puranas, Mahapadmanada was the
son of a Sudra woman but Jain texts and Greek writer
Curtius consider him as the son of a Courtesan and a
barber.
4. He conquered Koshala and Kalinga (from here he
brought an image of the Jina as victory trophy).
Dhanananda
1. He was the last Nanda ruler.
2. Alexander invaded North-Western India during his
reign (326 BC) but his huge army deterred Alexander
from advancing towards Gangetic Valley.
3. His name is Agrammes or Xandramesaccording to
the Greek texts.
Reason behind the Rise of Magadha
1. Flourish due to geographical location because and both
Rajgir and Patliputra located at strategic location.
2. Abundance of natural resources especially iron which
made them to equip with effective weapon.
3. Due to agricultural produce because region was
situated at fertile gangetic plain.
4. Rise of town and use of metallic money boosted trade
and commerce.
5. Unorthodox character of Magadha society.
Magadha was one of the sixteen Mahajanpada in ancient
India and roughly corresponds to the modern districts of
Bihar and West Bengal
