The rise of Kingdoms and Republics; Magadha

ChapterThemes
• Formation of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas
• Rise of Magadha
• Alexander’s invasion of India

(a)

(b)

• Coins are an important source for studying the history of the kingdoms and republics
that existed in India during this period. They tell us about the rulers and the state of
economy of their kingdoms.
• The images shown in (a) are punch-marked coins from the Magadha (c. 4th century
BCE). This technique of making coins can probably be traced to the ancient Greek
world, where a tool called die was perfected. This tool punched the desired pattern
on a piece of metal.
• Bimbisara was one of the important rulers of Magadha. The Burmese painting (b)
shows the meeting between Bimbisara and the Buddha.

1
During the Later Vedic period, the Indo-Aryans migrated to the Gangetic Plains and settled there.
They began to use iron implements to cultivate the land. There was surplus food production and
some people could turn to other occupations.

BIRTH OF THE MAHAJANAPADAS

Before large-scale cultivation of land and the growth of settled communities, society was tribal in
nature. The tribes were called janas. As society became more settled and agriculture became the
main occupation, groups or tribes of people began settling down in particular areas or territories.
These territories came to be called janapadas. This literally means the ‘areas where the tribe puts its
foot down’.

Around 600 BCE, many of the janapadas became larger by capturing territories, and came to be
known as mahajanapadas. Gradually, several of these mahajanapadas or kingdoms flourished in the
northern and north-western parts of India.

The Buddhist and the Jaina texts mention the existence of sixteen mahajanapadas. Out of these
some were gana-sanghas or republics---- governed by the councils, e.g. the Mallas and the Vrijjis.
The others were monarchies ruled by kings, e.g. Vatsa, Avanti, Magadha and Kosala.

RISE OF MAGADHA
There were constant conflicts between the rulers of the mahajanapadas. Finally, four powerful
states emerged – Vrijji, Kashi, Kosala and Magadha. Soon after, the kingdom of Magadha developed
as the most powerful among them. Magadha – corresponding roughly to the present –day Patna and
Gaya districts – occupies an important place in the early history of India. Magadha played a central
role in the rise of two great religions – Buddhism and Jainism.

Reasons for the Growth of Magadha

Magadha grew into quite a powerful mahajanapadas for the following reasons.

• This mahajanapada was a reservoir of rich natural resources. The fertile soil of the plains
allowed for the cultivation of surplus crops. Iron ore found in the plateau region could be
used to make weapons and tools.
• The earlier capital of Magadha, Rajagriha (present – day Rajgir), enjoyed natural protection
from invaders as it was surrounded by five hills.
• The mighty Ganga flowed through the kingdom of Magadha. It helped to facilitate
communication and the carrying of goods from one place to another.
• Magadha was also ruled by ambitious kings who fought wars to expand and strengthen their
kingdom.

2
 Geography Skillbuilder:
Interpreting Maps
• Make a list of sixteen
mahajanapadas on the
basis of the study of this
map.
• Name the southernmost
mahajanapada.

Bimbisara
Bimbisara was the first important ruler of Magadha. His capital was at Rajagriha. He campaigned
against a mahajanapada called Anga. Bimbisara annexed Anga, with its famous city of Champa,
situated on the banks of river Ganga. The control of this city gave access to ports that proved to be
an economic advantage for Magadha over other kingdoms in north India. Magadha now had a
flourishing maritime trade, and gradually became rich and prosperous.

Art and education flourished during Bimbisara’s reign. He also strengthened his kingdom by
providing an efficient administrative system. He was a great patron of Buddhism.

Bimbisara was known as a diplomatic ruler. He neutralised the threat of the mahajanapada of
Avanti. He sent his royal physician to the king of Avanti, Pradyota.

Ajatashatru
After Bimbisara, his son Ajatashatru became the ruler of Magadha. He conquered neighbouring
states and further contributed to the growth of Magadha as an imperial power. The ancient city of
Pataliputra was founded by Ajatashatru.

Rise of the Nandas

The Nanda dynasty established their rule over the kingdom of Magadha during the fourth century
BCE. Mahapadma Nanda seized the throne of Magadha. He was the founder of the Nanda dynasty.
At the time of Alexander’s invasion, Magadha was ruled by Dhana Nanda. Greek sources state that
he had a vast army consisting of infantry, cavalry, chariots and war elephants.

The last Nanda king was defeated and dethroned by Chandragupta Maurya who established the
Mauryan Empire.

3
 LIFE SKILLS: OBSERVATION
Read the extract below in which Alexander’s admiral writes about the clothes worn by Indians
during that time.

The dress worn by the Indians is made of cotton produced on tress…Thy wear an undergarment of
cotton which reaches below the knees halfway down to the ankles and an upper garment which they
throw partly over their shoulders and partly twist in folds round their head. The Indian also wear
earrings of ivory, but only the very wealthy do this. They use parasols as a screen from the heat. They
wear shoes made of white leather and these are elaborately trimmed, while the soles are variegated and
made of great thickness, to make the wearer seem too much taller.

-----quote from Arrian’sIndica outlined in JW McCrindle’sAncient India as Described by Megasthenes

and Arrian

• Compare an Indian man living during the time of Alexander wearing clothes as described in
the paragraph with the images of clothes that the men wear today.

INDIA ON THE EVE OF ALEXANDER’S INVASION

In 326 BCE, Alexander, the king of Macedonia (in Greece), invaded north-west India. This ambitious
young king was a military genius. He had already conquered Egypt, Asia Minor and the Persian
Empire, which stretched to the borders of India.

At the time of Alexander’s invasion north-west India was divided into many kingdoms. There was
constant rivalry and warfare among these kingdoms. Alexander took full advantage of this situation
and conquered many of these states.

➢ A bust of Alexander
➢

ALEXANDER’S INVASION OF INDIA

The ruler of Taxila (also Takshashila), Ambhi, easily submitted to Alexander. Certain other kings of
frontier kingdoms followed Ambhi and accepted the sovereignty of Alexander.

Alexander then advanced towards the kingdom lying in the Jhelum region, ruled by Porus. The

Did You Know?

When Alexander asked how Porus wished to be treated, the latter replied, ‘Treat me, O
Alexander, like a king’. Alexander was so impressed with his answer that he not only returned
his territory but also gave him certain conquered states.

4
armies of Porus and Alexander faced each other and fought the famous Battle of the Hydaspes.
Although Porus was defeated, Alexander was pleased with the valour and bravery of Porus.

Analysing Primary Sources

Study the painting depicting the surrender of Porus.
• Can you identify Alexander from his attire?
• What impression do you get about war in the 4th century BCE?
• How different was it was from the wars today?

LIFE SKILLS: CRITICAL THINKING

In his thirst for more conquests, Alexander wanted to march towards Magadha, which lay beyond
the Beas River. Unwilling to face the fight of the Magadhan army and tired after fighting too many
wars, Alexander’s army refused to march further.

Therefore, quite reluctantly, Alexander ordered his soldiers to retreat. Indian territories under his
control were placed under Greek governors. During the retreat, Alexander had to face many
difficulties. In 323 BCE, Alexander fell ill in Babylonia and died.

Effects of Alexander’s Invasion

The most significant political impact of Alexander’s invasion was that small states in north-west India
lost their power. This paved the way for the rise of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta Maurya
expanded his Magadhan Empire into this region. Some of the other effects were as follows.

• Close contact between Europe and India was established.

• Alexander’s invasion opened new routes for trade and commerce with the European
countries.
• Date of Alexander’s invasion of India was recorded by Alexander’s historians. This helped in
the chronological reconstruction of the ancient history of India.
• The contact with the Greeks led to the eventual development of the Graeco – Buddhist
School of Art or the Gandhara School of Art in the north-west of India.
•

*An example of the Gandhara School of Art, which shows a

couple and two Buddhist monks circumnutating a stupa

5
 VALUE: COLLABORATION

In the present-day global scenario, is the collaboration between different countries important?
Give reasons for your answer.

Comparative History

Achaemenian Dynasty (The First Persian Empire)

The Achaemenian Dynasty (c.559-330 BCE) established the first Persian empire in ancient Iran. Cyrus
II, considered by some to be the greatest of the Achaemenian rulers, established the empire. He was
followed by many other great rulers such as Darius I and Xerxes I. Around the time of Alexander the
Great, the Persian king Darius III ruled over the empire. He was defeated by Alexander in c. 330 BCE,
and the dynasty thus came to an end.

A late 15th century CE painting depicting a battle

between Darius III and Alexander
sf

A 15th century CE painting of Cyrus II

LIFE SKILLS: SEQUENCING EVENTS

c. 600 BCE - Rise of Mahajanapadas 323 BCE Alexander dies in Babylonia

700 BCE 200 BCE

326 BCE Alexander invades India

6
 a.
b.

a. Mosaic of Alexander the Great discovered in

Pompeii, Italy, c. 100 BCE.

b. A 14th century miniature Greek manuscript

painted in style of the late Byzantine period.

c. A 15th century Persian manuscript with a

miniature painting of Alexander.

d. An 18th century oil on canvas depicting

Alexander by Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes.

c...
.

d.

PAINTINGS OF ALEXANDER FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS AND AGES

7
Key words
• Graeco-Buddhist School of Art: also known as the Gandhara School of Art, it flourished in
the north-west of India, and was influenced by the Greek and Roman cultures
• Janapadas: literally meaning ‘where people placed their feet’; areas where the Indo-Aryan
tribes settled
• Mahajanapadas: the janapadas that grew into large and powerful kingdoms
• Mallas and Vrijjis: gana-sanghas or republics ruled by elected representatives of the people

Exercise:

I] Fill in the blanks:-

1. Janapadas literally means ________________________________________.

2. Buddhist and Jaina texts mention _______________ mahajanapadas.
3. _________________ corresponds roughly to present-day Patna and Gaya districts and
occupies an important place in early Indian history.

II] Match the following:-

Sr. no. Column I Column II

1 Alexander
2 The last Nanda king
3 Champa
4 Rajagriha
5 Porus
a. Defeated by Chandragupta Maurya
b. Bimbisara’s capital
c. Alexander defeated him
d. City in Anga
e. From Macedonia

III] Answer the following questions in brief:-

1. Which kingdom developed as the most powerful amongst the mahajanapadas?

2. Describe Magadha under the rule of Bimbisara.
3. What was the condition of India on the eve of Alexander’s invasion?