The Magadha Imperialism

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The history of India assumes a more or less definite shape towards the end of the seventh century B.C.

During this period, the whole country was divided into a number of independent states. North India was split into sixteen “Mahajanapadas.” Some of these states were monarchial others were either republicans or oligarchics. Out of these sixteen some of the prominent ones were Anga, Magadha, Vatsa, Vriji, Kasi, Kosala and Avanti.

The four important dynasties who tired to establish their supremacy at the cost of the minor states were Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti. There was no political unity at all in Northern India.

Very little is known about the political fortunes of these republics but information about the method of their administrations is available.

These republics or Sanghas were governed on democratic lines. Elected chief acted as the President of the administrative council. The matters of justice and administration were discussed in an assembly hall.

The assembly of the people could also be called on special occasions. The President of the Council was called a Raja. It is not known as to how he was elected and for how long he rules but it appears that the office was not hereditary. He was more or less like a Mayor of the area. The local administration was carried on by local assemblies which played an important part in the administration of the State.

In some of these republics villages were organized on professional bases, e.g., the potters and smiths of the clan used to have separate villages of their own. The small republics were gradually losing their importance and were being over-shadowed by kingdoms like Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, Magadha, etc.

Avanti

It was an important state of western India and included the territories of modern Malwa, Nirmar and the adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjayni and Mahishwati were the respective capitals of is northern and southern territories. Its ruler Pradyota was in constant rivalry with the neighbouring states of Vatsa, Kosala and Magadha.

Its last ruler was defeated by Sisunaga who included it in the state of Magadha.

Vatsa

Kausambi was capital of Vatsa and its ruler was Udayana. Udayana was not only a powerful king who was also well-versed in many fine arts, particularly, music. Once he was captured by Pradyota of Avanti by treachery but he eloped with Pradyota’s daughter Vasavadatta and married her. One of his other queens was the sister of king Darsaka of Magadha.

He was not inclined to Buddhism in the beginning but later on accepted it.

Kosala

Its boundaries corresponded roughly with modern Avadh. It was divided into north and south by the river Sarayu; Sravasti and Kusavati were its respective capitals. Its ruler, a contemporary of the Buddha, was Prasenajit who had accepted Buddhism and had matrimonial relations with the state of Magadha.

He had extended its supremacy over the Sakyas of Kapilvastu.

Magadha

Magadha was one of the most important states of North India in the sixth century B.C.

Later on, it became the most powerful state, stood out as the supreme power in North India and ushered in the age of big empires in India.

Administration of different states at that time differed from each other.

There were five types of administrative politics, viz. Samarajya, Bhojya, Swarajya, Vairajya and Rajya.

In Samarajyapolity, the head of the state was called Samrat, his coronation was a necessity and his position was hereditary.

In Bhojya polity, the head of the state was called Bhoja, his status was not hereditary rather, he was assigned administrative authority for a fixed period.

In Swaraja polity, the head of the state was called Swarata and its administration was carried on by some respected Kulas which were regarded equal to each other.

In Vairajya polity, the head of the state was called as the king, the representatives of the people.

In Rajya polity, tribal administration continued as before. The Janapadas of Kuru and Panchala in Madya-desh pursued this system.

Most of the contemporary texts have referred to the Samarajya polity where the head of the state was called the Samrat whose office was hereditary. Such states got better opportunities for their territorial expansion. The use of the iron increased the area under cultivation and agricultural production.

The monarch drew maximum advantage from it as his share from the produce was fixed and he alone had the right to permit clearance of forests. Increased agricultural production led to increased trade and commerce which again benefited the monarch.

All this resulted in the material prosperity of the emperor which helped him in increasing his military strength which he could fruitfully utilize for the expansion of the territories of his empire. The rise of Magadha in the 6th century B.C. was also because of the fact that it had hereditary monarchical rule, viz., Samarajya polity.

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Tags: avanti, bhoja, buddhist, imperialism, jainism, kosala, magadha, mahajanapadas, purans, rajya polity, republic, tribal administration, vatsa, vedic literature