Janapada of Magadha: Map & History
Magadha was a region and kingdom in ancient India, based in the eastern Ganges Plain.
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Magadha was a region and kingdom in ancient India, based in the eastern Ganges Plain. It was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas during the second urbanisation period. The region was ruled by several dynasties, which overshadowed, conquered, and incorporated the other Mahajanapadas. Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism and formed the core of the Haryanka dynasty, Nanda Empire, Mauryan Empire, Shunga Empire and Gupta Empire.
Janapada of Magadha in Depth
History
In the Atharvaveda (5.22) (ca. 1200-900 BCE) the Magadhas are listed along with the Angas, Gandharis and Mujavats as non-Vedic tribes located outside of the Kuru-Panchala cultural sphere.
Some scholars have identified the Kīkaṭa tribe—mentioned in the Rigveda (3.53.14) with their ruler Pramaganda—as the forefathers of Magadhas because Kikata is used as synonym for Magadha in the later texts.
Geography
The territory of the Magadha kingdom proper before its expansion was bounded to the north, west, and east respectively by the Gaṅgā, Son, and Campā rivers, and the eastern spurs of the Vindhya mountains formed its southern border. The territory of the initial Magadha kingdom thus corresponded to the modern-day Patna and Gaya districts of the Indian state of Bihar.
The region of Greater Magadha also included neighbouring regions in the eastern Gangetic plains, and had a distinct culture and belief.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Magadha (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Janapada of Magadha: Key Facts
| Capital | Rajgir |
|---|---|
| Official language | Indo-Aryan |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Founded | 12th century BCE |
| Dissolved | 345 BCE |
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q234009 (CC0).
Janapada of Magadha Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 5,040 km² in 516 BCE.
Janapada of Magadha: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Janapada of Magadha exist?
Janapada of Magadha is dated to 600 BCE – 501 BCE, in the Bronze & Iron Age Civilizations era.
What was the capital of Janapada of Magadha?
The capital of Janapada of Magadha was Rajagriha (Girivraj), Later, Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
How large was Janapada of Magadha at its peak?
At its peak in 516 BC Janapada of Magadha covered about 5,040 km².
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