List of Mahajanapadas Ancient Indian History

Kingdoms arose during 6th Century BC are called Mahajanapadas. The Mahajanapadas signify the tribes that came together to form different groups and later gave rise to a permanent area of settlements called ‘states’ or ‘Janapadas.’. According to the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya, there were sixteen kingdoms collectively known as “Shodasa Mahajanapada” in Jambudwipa (Bharatvarsha). The Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya offers insights into the socio-economic and political conditions. The 16 Mahajanapadas (Great Kingdoms) were powerful states in ancient India, emerging around the 6th century BCE (600 BCE to 300 BCE), primarily located in the Indo-Gangetic plains and northern Deccan. Indo-Gangetic plains from modern-day Afghanistan to Bihar and the mountainous regions of the Himalayas to the Godavari River in the South. They developed strong administrative systems and military structures, laying the foundation for larger empires, such as Magadha under the Mauryan Empire.

The Sixteen Mahajanapadas were either monarchical or republican in their political organization. The monarchies were mainly found in the Gangetic Plains while the republics were situated around the foothills of the Himalayas and in the north-western India in modern Punjab.

Types of Mahajanpadas:

There were two types of Mahajanapadas 

1. Monarchy (Rajyas)- Ruled by Kings
2. Republic (Ganas or Sanghas)- Ruled by Council/Assembly which was elected.(Oligarchies where power was excercised by Group of people)

Monarchies: Gandhara, Kamboja, Kuru, Panchala,Kashi, Vatsa, Avanti, Chedi, Matsya, Anga, Kosala, Magadha and Surasena
Republics: Assaka/Asmaka, Malla & Vajji

List of Mahajanapada’s and Capitals:

Note: Asmaka, Malla & Vajji were Republics

About Mahajanapadas:

Magadha:

• One of the most powerful and prominent Mahajanapadas, It was located between Anga and Vatsa. It was situated in modern Patna and Gaya districts of Bihar and eastern parts of Bengal. The name Magadha first appears in the Atharvaveda. It was bounded on the north and west by the rivers Ganga, Son and Punpun, on the south by the Vindhyas and on the east by the river Champa.
• Rajagriha or Girivraja was the early Magadhan capital. Later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra.
• The earliest dynasty of Magadha was founded by Brihadratha. However, Magadha became powerful under Bimbisasra and Ajatsatru.
• Magadha had the republic of the Licchavis as neighbour and the Ganges formed the boundary between these two countries. During the reign of Ajatasatru Magadha also came in conflict with the Vajjis.
• At the ancient site of Pataliputra was Pataligama where the ministers of Ajatasatru built a fort to repel the Vajjjis.
• The city Girivraja was surrounded by the five hills of fame – Isigili, Vepulla, Yebhara,Pandava and Gijjhkuta.
• It Became a Centre of Jainism. First Buddhist council was held at Rajagriha

Kosala:

• Shravasti was the capital of Kosala Mahajanapada. It was located in the north west of Magadha. It was situated in present eastern Uttar Pradesh (Awadh region).  On the west, Kosala was bound by the river Gomati, on the southern side by the river Sarpika or Syandika, on the east by the Sadanira (Gandak) which separated it from Videha and on the north by the Nepal hills. The Shatpath Brahman gives a description of Kosala Mahajanapadas.
• Ayodhya, Saketa and Shravasti were three important Kosalan cities.
• The kings of Kosala favoured Brahmanism and Buddhism.
• Prasenjit, the Kosalan king was the contemporary of king Bimbisara and Ajatasatru of Magadha. Prasenjit’s sister was married to Bimbisara, the king of Magadha, and Kashi was given to her as dowry. However, a dispute with Ajatasatru, son of Bimbisara soon led to discord. Prasenjit, in retaliation, confiscated Kashi.
• A war broke out between both sides and the conflict finally ended with reconciliation. Prasenjit’s daughter Vajjira was married to Ajatasatru and Kashi was given as dowry to the bride.
• Though Prasenjit did not embrace Buddhism, one of the Bharhut sculptures highlights cordiality between Prasenjit and Buddha.
• Finally, Kosala was annexed by Magadha during Ajatasatru’s reign.
• Koshala also included the tribal republican territory of the Sakyas of Kapilvastu. The capital of Kapilvastu is identified with Piprahwa in Basti district, which is situated at a distance of 15 km from Lumbini in Nepal (another capital of the Sakyas and also the birthplace of Gautam Buddha).
• Sarayu (Ghaghara) River

Vatsa:

• Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa Mahajanapada. Vatsa kingdom was situated in modern districts of Allahabad and Mirzapur in UP. It was located south of Ganga. The Vatsa appears to be one from the Rig Vedic period. 
• Kaushambi, a very prosperous city and was the most important entry point of goods and passengers from the south and the west. It was famous for cotton textiles. 
• Udayana, the ruler of this country in the sixth century BCE, had to struggle against king Ajatasatru of Magadha and king Pradyota of Avanti. Udayana entered into a matrimonial alliance with the king of Magadha. The ruler of Avanti invaded Kaushambi but he was unsuccessful in his attempt. He had to marry his daughter to Udayana. 
• In the Pali Buddhist literature, king Udayana of the Vatsas is said to have been a contemporary of the Buddha. In the beginning, Udayana was opposed to Buddhism, but later on he became a follower of the Buddha and made Buddhism the state religion. Later, during the reign of Palaka, Vatsa was annexed to the Avanti kingdom.
• King Udayana was hero in all the three sanskrit books i.e Svapna-vasavdatta of Bhasa, Ratnavali and Priyadarsika of Harsha.

Avanti :

• Initially Ujjayini was the capital of Northern Avanti and Mahissmati (Maheshwar) was the capital of Southern Avanti. Later Ujjayini or modern Ujjain became the capital of whole Avanti Kingdom. The kingdom of Avanti was situated in modern Malwa.
• The river Betravati (Betwa) divided Avanti into north and south. 
• The ruler of Avanti during the time of the Buddha was Chandra Pradyota. He was a contemporary of Udayana of Kaushambi. Although he was given the name of ‘Chanda’ on account of his ferocity, he became a convert to Buddhism. He maintained a large Army. 
• Avanti became a very important centre of Buddhism. The kingdom of Avanti was finally annexed to the Magadhan Empire by Sishunaga.
• Shipra,Narmada rivers

Kurus:

• Hastinapura/Indraprastha was the capital of Kurus Mahajanapada. Kuru kingdom was situated in the modern Delhi, Meerut (UP) and the adjoining doab region. The Kurus formed one of the most ancient and prominent of the Indo-Aryan Ksatriya tribes. 
• It was the most important kingdom of the later Vedic period.
• After Buddha Kurus became a Sangha (Confederacy)
• Yamuna,Ganga rivers

Panchala:

• The Panchala Kingdom was divided into two regions, northern Panchala and southern Panchala
• Ahichchatra (Bareilly district of UP) was the capital of North Panchala and Kampilya (Farrukhabad) was the capital of South Panchala. Panchala Kingdom was situated  in Rohilkhand and parts of Central Doab (modern districts of Bareilly, Badaun, Aligarh, Farrukhabad etc.).
• Famous city of Kannauj was located in the kingdom of Panchala. 
• It had a huge army consisting of foot soldiers, men skilful in fight and in the use of steel weapons. 
• Ganga,Yamuna rivers

Chedi (Cheti):

• Sotthivati (Suktimati)/ Sothivatinagar (Banda District of MP) was the capital of Chedi Mahajanapada. Chedi Kingdom was situated  in the present-day Bundelkhand region. 
• The Chedi formed one of the most ancient tribes among the Kshatriyas in early Vedic times. The country of the Chedi lay near the Yamuna, contiguous to that of the Kurus. 
• It was closely connected with the Matsya and Kashi.
• The Mahabharata gives its Sanskrit name Suktimati or Suktisahvaya.
• Ken,Yamuna rivers

Anga :

• Champa/Malini was the capital of Anga Mahajanapada. Anga Kingdom was situated in the modern districts of Munger and Bhagalpur. Anga was located in the east of Magadha and west of Raj Mahal hills.
• The Anga country was very ancient as is evident from the reference made to it in the ancient Brahmanical works like the Aitareya Brahmana, Atharva veda, the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Ramayana. 
• It was noted for its wealth and commerce. The Merchants regularly visited Suvarnabhumi(South East Asia/Thailand)
• It was annexed to Magadha during the times of Bimbisara and it was the only conquest of Bimbisara.
• Chandan (Champa) river formed boundary between Anga in the East and Magadha in the west

Gandhara:

• Taxila was the capital of Gandhara Mahajanapada. Gandhara Kingdom was situated in  modern Kashmir, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and extended upto the Kabul valley. 
• Taxila  was a famous place for learning and trade. Panini and Kautilya were the disciples as well as teachers of Taxila university. The scholars came from all over the world to Taxila. 
• Gandhara was cited in the Atharva Veda. The people of Gandhara were well trained in the warfare activities.
• Gandhara was centre of commercial activities. 
• According to the Buddhist tradition, the Gandhara King Pushkarasarin/Pukkusati maintained good relations and exchanged gifts with Bimbisara in Magadha and went on foot to see the Buddha.
• The Behistun Inscription (Iran) of the Achaemenid emperor Darius indicates that Gandhara was conquered by the Persian in 6^th Century BC. According to the Greek historian, Herodotus Gandhara was the twentieth province of the Achaemenid Empire. They supplied men and material to the Persian Army for fighting against the Greeks
• Indus, Kabul Rivers.

Kamboja (Afghanistan):

• Paropamisadae/Rajapur/Pushkalavati/Poonch was the capital of Kamboja Mahajanapada.Kamboji Kingdom was situated in Rajouri (Jmmu) including the Hazara District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It was the country adjoining Gandhara in the extreme North-West. As per Hindu text Yaska’s Nirukta Kamboja is constantly associated with Gandhara in literature and inscriptions. Asoka’s edicts refer to Kamboja along with Yona as frontier provinces. 
• Cyrus I (Emperor of Persia) is said to have destroyed the Kamboja city of Kapisi (modern Begram). 
• During Kautilya’s time, Kamboja transformed from a monarchy to a republic. „
• The Kambojas were known for their skills in horsemanship and warfare. Sumangalavilasini describes Kamboja as the home for horses.

Surasena (UP):

• Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Mahajanapada. Surasena Kingdom was situated in present day Braj region of Uttar Pradeshon the bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura was located at the junction of two famous ancient Indian trade routes i.e. the Uttarapatha and the Daksinapatha. 
• Due to weak political structure and varied landscape the chiefs of this area could not make out a powerful kingdom. 
• The Mahabharata enumerates a number of people in a list which includes the Surasenas along with the Salvas, Kuru-Panchalas and other neighbouring tribes. The Ramayana places Surasena among the northern kingdoms. The Buddhist texts speak of Madhura or Mathura which was the capital of Surasena.
• As per Buddhist text “Avantiputta” a king of Surasena as a disciple of Buddha.
• At the time of Megasthenes visits this place was a centre of Krishna worship. Also, there was a dominant followership of Buddha here.

Matsya (Rajasthan):

• Viratanagar (Bairat)was the capital of Matsya Mahajanapada. Matsya Kingdom was situated in  Jaipur in Rajasthan. It included the  modern territory of Alwar with a portion of Bhagalpur. It was situated to the west of the Panchalas and south of the Kurus.
• The Matsyas appear to have been one of the prominent Kshatriya tribes that made up the Vedic Aryan people in the earliest period of their residence in India.
• A hymn in the Rigveda refers to the Matsyas who were attacked by Turvasa, a famous king.
• Matsya Kingdom was mentioned in several texts such as The Satapatha Brahmana, the Kausitaki Upanisad, the Mahabharata, the Padmapurana and The Visnudharmottara Mahapurana.
• Chambal river

Kashi (UP):

• Banaras was the capital of Kashi Mahajanapada. Kashi Kingdom was situated in present Varanasi(UP). It seemed to have emerged as a major town around 450 BCE. 
• It was famous for cotton textiles and market for horses. It perhaps played an important part in the subversion of the Videhan monarchy.
• Kashi city got its name from rivers Varuna and Assi as cited in the Matsya Purana.
• Kashi was in constant conflict with the kingdoms of Kosala, Magadha, and Anga. Though Kosala was once defeated by Kashi, it was later annexed by Kosala. Subsequently, it was annexed by Ajatasatru to Magadha.
• As per Jataka stories Kasi and Kosala had a dispute and Kasi was absorbed in Kosala.
• Ganga river

Republics (Gana–Sanghas):

Vajjis (Vrijji):

• Vaishali was capital of Vajjis Mahajanapada. Vajjis Kingdom was situated in Bihar. The Vajji territory lay north of the Ganga and stretched as far as the Nepal hills in Bihar. Its western limit was the river Gandak, which separated it from the Malla and Kosalan cities. In the east, it extended up to the banks of the river Koshi and Mahananda.
• It is alliance of eight clans (Atthakula) such as Videhas, the Lichchhavis, the Jnatrikas, etc. The Videhas had their capital at Mithila. The Lichchhavis had their capital at Vaishali. 
• The main races were Licchavis, Vedehans, Jnatrikas and Vajjis.
• Vajji alliance was organised after the decline and fall of the Videhan monarchy and was a republican state at the time of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.
• Ajatasatru, the Magadhan king is supposed to have destroyed this alliance.

Mallas:

• The territory of the Mallas was divided into two parts, each having its own capital. The two capital cities were Kushinara (identified with Kasia in the Gorakhpur district), and Pava (modern Padrauna). 
• These two cities are of much importance in both Buddhism and Jainism. Buddha took his last breath at Kusinagara, whereas Mahavira at Pavapuri.
• It had reference in Buddhist and Jain Texts and Mahabharata
• Rapti, Gandak rivers

Asmaka (Assaka):

• Paithan/Potali/Podana was the capital of Asmaka Mahajanapada. The kingdom of Assaka (Asmaka) was situated near the river Godavari  in present Bodhan of Nizamabad and Maharashtra
• The Anguttara Nikaya says that it had an abundance of food and gems and was wealthy and prosperous. It became commercially important in the course of time.
• As per Jataka stories Asmaka gain Victory over Kalinga.

Important Points During Mahajanapada Period:

• The King, The Minister, The Country,  Fortified City, Treasury, Army and Ally are main constituents of a Mahajanapadas.
• Power was concentrated in the hands of King only
• Army under the control of King
• Officials were appointed directly by the King
• Centralised Taxation system
• Brahmins were in Higher position
• Most of the Mahajanapadas located in Alluvial soil
• Most effective decision making system
• Advent of Iron in Mahajanapadas period played important role  in improving the agriculture production. Surplus agriculture production leads to increase population. High population leads more progress in Crafts Specialization. The appearance of urban centres led to the emergence of different social groups such as Gahapati, Merchants, Settlers pursuing different occupations and multiple activities.
• The main occupation was agriculture and the kingdoms were mainly agrarian. Trade and commerce also flourished due to the well-established trade routes. Two major tradе routеs, namеly “Uttarapatha” and “Dakshinapatha,” intеrconnеctеd various parts of thе subcontinеnt. Thеsе routes facilitated the movement of goods, idеas, and culturеs across rеgions.
• Tamralipta (Tamluk), Bharuch, and Sopara (Port Areas) wеrе main cеntres of tradе. Thеy served as gatеways for maritimе tradе activities, enabling thе exchange of commodities and goods bеtwееn different kingdoms and even with distant world.
• The exchange of goods and services and regular trade also led to the emergence of professional middlemen and merchants. There was regular trade connections between cities and towns.
• Cattle were no longer considered a major strength of wealth. Money (Punch marked coins) economy had surpassed the barter system. This led to the chiefs of the lineages constantly at war with each other either to show their might or financial strength and follow expansionist policies to garner more resources at their disposal.
• The main reason for rise of Mahajanapadas was the fertile lands, better climate and topography condition bestowed with rainfall and rivers. In fact, it was the augmented use of iron tools and weapons that empowered small states to develop as a kingdom which is later known as Mahajanapadas.
• During this period, advancements in trade, urbanization, and iron technology transformed the region
• The starting settlement of Kingdom was the village (Grama) and when two villages merged, it led to Sangrama.
• The leaders of the villages were called Gramini
• Jain text Bhagavati Sutra mentioned various kings of Mahajanapadas
• Jain text Acharanga Sutra provides insights into the religious and philosophical thoughts prevailing during the period of the Mahajanapadas. It also mentions the geographical extent and political conditions of these states.
• Kosambi: Important Cotton Textile manufacturing centre
• Kasi: Religious Centre, Trade and Political Centre
• Mathura: Pottery and Sculpture
• Kamboja: Famous for Horses

Names of the Officers during Mahajanapadas period:

Class of Officials: Mahamatras

General Affairs: Sarvarthaka

Justice: Vyavaharika

Army: Sena Nayaka

Revenue Collecting Authority: Grama Bhojaka

Toll Officer: Shaulikika/Shulkadyaksha

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