Janapadas

During the Later Vedic period, the tribal political structure collapsed and the nation or Janapadas with geographical boundaries came into being. By the 6th century BC, the concept of 'nation' had gained strength. Many small and large nations centered around new cities emerged during this period. There were many reasons for the formation of these nations.

• The shift from a vedic economy to agriculture was an important factor that paved the way for the formation of nations. As agriculture became the main occupation of the people, people were forced to settle permanently in one place. The area inhabited by people was known as Janapadas. The word Janapadas means the area where people set foot.

• The most important factor that helped in the formation of nations was the use of iron. The use of iron had started to be widespread from the 6th century BC. It was possible to clear forests and plow the land for agriculture with iron tools. New agricultural tools and weapons helped farmers to produce more food grains than they needed. Kings collected agricultural surplus produce from farmers to meet their needs. The agricultural surplus produce could also be sold in the towns that emerged at that time. The agricultural surplus also paved the way for the development of handicrafts. With the manufacture of iron weapons, the warrior class gained strength.

• Urbanization also helped in the formation of nations. As mentioned above, many handicrafts developed with the surplus produce in agriculture. Handicrafts were exchanged for food products. Public centers for the exchange of these gradually emerged. Merchants and artisans welcomed stable nations. People began to be more loyal to the nations or janpadas in which they lived than to tribes.

Mahajanapadas

In the 6th century BC, many independent kingdoms emerged in North India. Among these, there were 16 large kingdoms called 'Mahajanapadas'. The Mahajanapadas were formed by the scientific development of the Janapadas. The 'Mahajanapadas' were the names of the sixteen minor kingdoms in North India. Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadh were the principal kingdoms. Anga, Kasi, Saurasena, Panchala, Kuru, Matsya, Chedi, Gandhara, Kamboj, Asmaka, Vajji and Malla were the other kingdoms. There are references to the Mahajanapadas in Buddhist texts (anguthara nikaya, tripitaka). There was no unified system of government in the Mahajanapadas. Most of the countries were monarchies. However, some countries had republics. Often these countries fought each other for political dominance. The political history of India from the 6th century BC onwards is the history of the struggles for supremacy between the Janapadas. Magadh achieved the final victory in this struggle. Magadh grew into an imperial power in India. Kosala was the ruling kingdom while the Buddha lived. Kosala had two cities: Ayodhya and Saketa. Eventually, Magadh took control of Kosala. Girivraja was the initial capital of Magadh, followed by Rajagriha and Pataliputra. Brihadratha was the first known monarch of Magadh. The primary ruler of Magadh was Bimbisara, a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira. Ajatasatru created "Pataliputra." During the reign of Ajatasatru, the Buddha and Mahavira were died.

Mahajanapadas and its Capitals

1. Anga - Champa

2. Magadh - Rajgriha (Girivraja)/Pataliputra

3. Kasi - Kasi

4. Vatsa - Kausambi

5. Kosala - Sravasti

6. Saurasena - Mathura

7. Panchala - Ahichchhatra

8. Kuru - Indraprastha

9. Matsya - Viratnagar

10. Chedi - Sothivati/Banda

11. Avanti - Ujjain/Mahishmati

12. Gandhara - Taxila, Purusapura

13. Kamboj - Rajapura

14. Asmaka - Paithan/Pratisthan

15. Vajji - Vaishali

16. Malla - Kusinara