• Magadha Kingdoms and Rulers •

◆ Haryanka Dynasty ◆

• Bimbisara (544–492 BC) •

➤ Strengthened his kingdom through matrimonial alliances.

➤ Contemporary of both Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.

➤ Both religions claim him as their supporter and devotee.

➤ Made numerous gifts to the Buddhist Sangha.

➤ Assassinated and succeeded by his son, Ajatashatru.

📌 Note: The memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of Magadha (UPSC 2016).


*• Ajatashatru (492–460 BC) •

➤ Aggressive ruler who expanded territory through conquests.

➤ Fortified Rajgriha to counter Avanti's threat.

➤ Both Buddhists and Jains claim him as a follower of their religion.

➤ Met Buddha – this scene is depicted in the sculptures of Barhut.

➤ Oversaw the First Buddhist Council after Buddha's Parinirvana (483 BC).


*• Udayin (460–444 BC) •

➤ Established Pataliputra as the new capital at the Ganga-Son confluence.

➤ His successors were weak rulers, so Magadha was captured by Shishunaga.

➤ Thus, the Haryanka dynasty ended and the Shishunaga dynasty came to power.


◆ Shishunaga Dynasty (413–345 BC) ◆

*• Shishunaga •

➤ Was a minister under the last Haryanka ruler, Nāgadāsaka.

➤ Established his dynasty in 413 BC.

➤ Temporarily shifted the capital to Vaishali.

➤ Defeated Avanti, annexing it to Magadha and ending a 100-year rivalry.

➤ Succeeded by his son, Kalasoka.


*• Kalasoka •

➤ Also known as Kakarvarna (as per the Puranas).

➤ Conducted the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali.


✦ Mauryan Empire ✦

*● Chandragupta Maurya (321–297 BC) ●

➤ Overthrew the Nandas with Chanakya's help and founded the Maurya Empire.

➤ Known as Sandrakottus in Greek accounts.

➤ Megasthenes – ambassador sent by Seleucus I Nicator – wrote "Indica".

➤ Defeated Greek prefects left by Alexander.

➤ Unified most of the subcontinent except Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast.

➤ Pliny mentions his massive army: infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, and a navy.


*● Bindusara (297–273 BC) ●

➤ Expanded and consolidated the empire.

➤ Maintained diplomatic ties with Greek states.

➤ Guided by Chanakya and other ministers.

➤ Received Deimachus as ambassador from Syrian king Antiochus I.

➤ Supported the Ajivikas (a religious sect).

➤ Appointed his son Ashoka as governor of Ujjain.


● Ashoka (268–232 BC) ●

➤ Referred to as Chakravartin in Buddhist texts.

➤ The Kalinga War (Rock Edict XIII) led to his adoption of Dhamma.

➤ Followed religious tolerance – made donations to Ajivikas, Buddhists, and others.

➤ First Indian king to communicate directly with people through inscriptions along highways.

➤ Advocated paternal kingship – treating subjects as his children.

➤ Dhamma policy promoted harmony (reflected in the Kandahar inscription).

➤ Embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga war.

➤ His Dhamma emphasized: ethical living, respect for all religions, justice, and compassion.

➤ Appointed Dharma Mahamatras (special officers) to spread Dhamma.

➤ In 241 B.C. , visited Buddha's birthplace – Lumbini Garden (near Kapilavastu).

➤ Also visited Sarnath, Sravasti, and Kusinagara.

➤ Sent a mission to Sri Lanka under his son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra.

➤ They planted the branch of the original Bodhi tree.