UNIT 4 MAGDHA EMPIRE

UNIT  IV (7 MARKS) EMERGENCE OF TERRITORIAL STATES & RISE OF MAGADHA
  RISE & GROWTH OF THE MAGDHA EMPIRE

EMERGENCE OF TERRITORIAL STATES:
The tribal political organization of the rig vedic phase gave way to rise of territorial state towards the end of the vedic period. But the territorial idea was gradually strengthened in the 6 th century BC. With the rise of large state with towns & their seats of power. Permanent settlement in particular areas gave a geographical identity to a tribe or a group of tribes & subsequently this identity was given concrete shape in the possession of area, which was generally named after the tribe. To maintain this possession required political organization, either as a republic or a monarch. From the 6 th   century BC onwards, the widespread use of iron in eastern UP. & western Bihar, as evidenced from excavations at rajghat & chirand led to the formation of large territorial states which were better equipped militarily & in which class played the main role. New agriculture tools & implements enabled the peasants to produce a good amount of surplus which not only met the needs of ruling class but also supported numerous towns . Towns came into existence as centers of industry & trade . Some such as shravasti, champa, rajagriha, ayodhya, kausambi, Kashi & patliputra were of substantial importance to the economy of the Ganges plains. Other such as Vaishali, Uggain, Taxila & the part of bharukachchha (Broach) had a wider economic reach. A passage from Panini, makes it clear that the people owed their allegiance to the Janapada (territory) to which they belonged & not to the Jana or the tribe to which they belonged.
The rise & growth of the Mahajanapadas is very important from so many points. Firstly, it shows that side by side with monarchies some republics were also there where system of election was prevailing. Secondly, it shows that in monarchies the rulers were not dictators. They tried their best to their subjects, Thirdly, it shows that slowly & slowly the different small states were merging giving rise to bigger empires like Magadhan Empire. India was being politically united under one head This was a good sign because nobody dared to attack a strong & united empire.              

RISE & GROWTH OF MAGADHA:
Magadha (Sanskrit: मगध) formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas (Sanskrit "Great Countries") or regions in ancient India. Magadha emerged to be the most powerful empire in 6 th century BC.  It consisted of modern Patna, Gaya, & some parts of Shahbad at that time. All the Kings ruling over this territory extended the empire in their own ways & made it more powerful. Its first capital was Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) then Pataliputra (modern Patna). Magadha expanded to include most of Bihar and Bengal with the conquest of Licchavi and Anga respectively, followed by much of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The ancient kingdom of Magadha is mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas. It is also heavily mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts. The earliest reference to the Magadha people occurs in the Atharva-Veda where they are found listed along with the Angas, Gandharis, and Mujavats. Two of India's major religions started from Magadha; two of India's greatest empires, the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire, originated from Magadha. These empires saw advancements in ancient India's science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Indian "Golden Age". The Magadha kingdom included republican communities such as the community of Rajakumara. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions.
 The kingdom of the Magadha roughly corresponds to the modern districts of Patna and Gaya in southern Bihar, and parts of Bengal in the east. It was bounded on the north by the river Ganga, on the east by the river Champa, on the south by the Vindhya mountains and on the west by the river Sone. During the Buddha’s time and onward, its boundaries included Anga.
 The important Rulers & Dynasties of Magadha who were responsible for its expansion were Haryanka Dynasty, Sisunaga Dynasty  & Nandas.
Magadha came into prominence under the leadership of Bimbisara, who belonged to the Haryanka dynasty . He was a contemporary of Buddha. He started the policy of conquests and aggression which ended with the Kalinga war of Ashoka. Bimbisara acquired Anga and placed it under the viceroyalty of Ajatashatru at Champa. He also strengthened his position with marriage alliances. Marriage relations with the different princely families gave enormous diplomatic prestige  and paved the way for the expansion of Magadha westward & northward.
The rulers of Magadha were able to manufacture better weapons in comparison to their rivals because of the availability of iron. This was helpful in Wars. The two capitals of Magadha , Rajgir & Patliputra were surrounded by hills, The openings in which were closed by stone walls on all sides. This made them impregnable. Magdha was highly developed in agriculture sector due to fertile land and availability of water.Trade also helped in the growth of Magadha. The rulers imposed taxes on the users of trade routes, and thus collected large amounts to maintain large armies. Magadha was the first state which brought elephants in their fights against their neighboring states. And this ultimately facilitated the extension of the boundaries  of the empire.