Janapada of Avanti: Map & History
Avanti was an ancient Indian Mahajanapada, roughly corresponding to the present-day Malwa region.
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Avanti was an ancient Indian Mahajanapada, roughly corresponding to the present-day Malwa region. According to the Buddhist texts, the Anguttara Nikaya, Avanti was one of the solasa mahajanapadas of the 6th century BCE. The janapada was divided into two parts by the Vindhyas, the northern part had its capital at Ujjayini and the southern part had its centre at Mahishmati.
Janapada of Avanti in Depth
History
According to the Puranic accounts, the Haihayas were the earliest rulers of Avanti, who captured the region from the Nagas. Initially, they ruled from Mahishmati. Some accounts place Ujjayini as the capital of Avanti. Later, the whole janapada was divided into two parts with the capitals at Mahishmati and Ujjayini. The Haihayas were a confederation of five clans, the Vitihotras, the Bhojas, the Avantis, the Tundikeras and the Sharyatas. Later, the Haihayas were better known by their dominant clan - the Vitihotras. Ripunjaya, the last Vitihotra ruler of Ujjayini was overthrown by his amatya (minister) Pulika, who placed his son, Pradyota on the throne.
The Mahagovindasuttanta of the Dighanikaya mentions an Avanti king Vessabhu (Vishvabhu) and his capital Mahissati (Mahishmati).
Location
The kingdom of Avanti covered a territory which included the region around the city of Ujjayini and the section of the Narmadā river valley between Māhissatī and Maheshwar, as well as some nearby areas.
Avanti was divided into a northern and a southern part by the Vindhya mountains, with the northern section, which had its capital at Ujjenī, being drained by the Sipra river as well as other streams, while the southern section was drained by the Narmadā and had its capital at Māhissatī or Māhiṣmatī.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Avanti (region) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Janapada of Avanti: Key Facts
| Capital | Ujjain |
|---|---|
| Official language | Sanskrit |
| Founded | 7th century BCE |
| Dissolved | 3rd century BCE |
Facts from Wikidata Q4827705 (CC0).
Janapada of Avanti Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Janapada of Avanti appears, with the other states of the time.
Janapada of Avanti Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 5,104 km² in 428 BCE.
Janapada of Avanti: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Janapada of Avanti exist?
Janapada of Avanti is dated to 600 BCE – 405 BCE, in the Bronze & Iron Age Civilizations era.
What was the capital of Janapada of Avanti?
The capital of Janapada of Avanti was Ujjayini.
How large was Janapada of Avanti at its peak?
At its peak in 428 BC Janapada of Avanti covered about 5,104 km².
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