Pre Mauryan Period
Pre Mauryan Period
Brief History of Pre Mauryan Period
The entire northern territory was divided into sixteen states or mahajanapadas having monarchical or republican form of government. Anguttara Nikaya gives a list of states. At the time of Buddha, the most important kingdoms were
- Vatsa: capital Kausambi
- Avanti : capital Ujjayini
- Kosala : capital Ayodhya
- Magadha : capital Rajagriha.
Magadha was the most powerful kingdom from 6BC to 4 BC. It was ruled by Haryankas. Bimbisara was the first important ruler of Magadaha. His matrimonial alliances increased his powers. His kosalan wife brought Kasi as dowry.
He undertook several military campaigns. He sent his physician Jivaka to cure Pradyota. Ajatasatru was his son accused of killing his father. He fought with his maternal uncle prasnajit of Kosala. He defeated a powerful confederacy of republican states under the leadership of Lichchavis of Vaisali.
Nandas killed Kalasoka and established their rule. Mahapadmananda uprooted many kshatriya dynasties. When Alexander invaded , the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda was the king.
He undertook several military campaigns. He sent his physician Jivaka to cure Pradyota. Ajatasatru was his son accused of killing his father. He fought with his maternal uncle prasnajit of Kosala. He defeated a powerful confederacy of republican states under the leadership of Lichchavis of Vaisali.
Nandas killed Kalasoka and established their rule. Mahapadmananda uprooted many kshatriya dynasties. When Alexander invaded , the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda was the king.
The names of republics
- The sakyas of Kapilavastu
- The Lichchhavis of Vaisali
- The Mallas of Pava
- The Mallas of Kusinagar
- The Kolliyas of Ramagrama
- The Bhaggas of Sumsumasa
- The Moriyas of Pippalivahana
- The Kalams of Kesaputta
- the Videhas of Mithila
- the Nayas(Jnatrikas) of Vaisali.
Battle of Hydapases(Jhelum)
Alexander was king of Macedonia who invaded India. The ruler ofTaxila supported Alexander against other Indian rulers especially Paurava. Alexander sent a message to Porous to submit, who refused to submit. The a fierce battle was fought and Alexander won. However, appreciating the valour and independent spirit displayed by porous, Alexander granted porous his own kingdom.
Important features
Archaeologically, the sixth century B.C. marks the beginning of the Northern Black Polished Phase (NBPW) phase and the beginning of second urbanisation in India. NBPW was very shining type of pottery served as the table ware of rich people.Coins made of metal appear for the first time in this period. They were made largely of silver and copper coins were fewer. These coins are called punch marked coins because they contain certain marks such as hill, tree, fish, bull, elephant etc. The use of burnt bricks and ring wells appeared in the third century B.C.
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