India in sixth century B.C.

The great Men of this era expressed dissatisfaction with the present and gave new light for the future. They were moving forward with the noble ideal of life and wanted to keep the world based on high moral principles. Those people tried to keep away the superstition. It was also a functional era in Indian history, today we will all discuss something about it. ....

Describe the Political Condition of India n the time of Mahatma Buddha in the 6^th century B.C.-

Introduction-

The sixth century BC was not only in Indian history but also for world history. There was a panic in the human mind from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The movement against varna-system, sacrifices, and Brahmins started in the whole of northern India and at the political level, efforts for unity in the country also started, which was led by Kalakramen Magadha. In India at that time, the yagna was predominant and when the grandeur increased, the yagna was left to the rich. With the increase of splendor, rituals also started and the authority of the priests increased. The opposition to the varna-system also started. Social upheaval had also started.

The struggle for suzerainty between Brahmins and Kshatriyas had started. When the Kshatriyas led the reform movement, the Vaishyas also supported them. This type of protest started in the Upanishads. People were in search of a simple path and in this era, logic was used in full swing. Just as revolutionary changes were taking place in the field of religion and thinking, in the field of politics, the trend of national unity under the leadership of Magadha was becoming firm. Due to these two basic elements, the sixth century BC in Indian history has a different significance of its own.

Archaeological literature records are the main records of foreign travelers in the instruments of ancient Indian history. Archaeological records in them are all ancient but due to lack of supplementary evidence, its evidence remains completely doubtful. Similarly, details of foreigners are also affected by faults. Literary evidence can be said to be complete in away. If the program can be reconciled in them. This reconciliation with Sayong is first established on the history of the sixth century BCE. Indian literature evidence is divided into three categories:
      Brahmins,                   Buddhists,             Jains

All three are useful in the sixth century BCE. The problem of determining the chronology of the Shodash Mahajanapadas is solved by a comparative study of these three (Brahmin, Buddhist, Jain) literature. Because the district named Vajji rises from the Shodash Mahajanapadas on the region called Videha, where the king was Karal Janak. Therefore, it is certain that the rise of these Shodash Mahajanapadas must have occurred only after the death of Maharaja Janak and after the collapse of Videha Nripa Tantra and they ended in the kingdom of King Mahakoshal of skill as Mahakoshal (Shodash) conquered the district called Kashi Took it and gave it to King Bimbisara of Magadha as a dowry in marriage to his daughter Mahakoshala.

Introduction to Shodash Mahajanapada

Shodash Mahajanapad

The description of these Shodash Mahajanapadas is found in the Buddhist text Anguttaranikaya and Jain text Bhagwati Sutra. Their names are not found as a list of Brahmin texts. Therefore, only the work of supplementary evidence is taken from Buddhist and Jain literature as the basis. According to the list found in Anguttaranikaya, the names Kashi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Bajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchal, Matsya, Surasena, Asmak, Avanti, Gandhara, Kamboj. But the list is also found in Bhagwati Sutra. It is different from the Buddhist list. In this list are Anga, Magadha, Malay, Malav, Aksha, Baksha, Kama, Pat, Radh, Bajji, Bholi, Kashi, Kosala and Shuhurumottar.

Comparison of both the lists makes it clear that the Jain list is probably from the later period because it includes the states of southern region in addition to the northern part of India.

Kashi:-

Of these sixteen Mahajanapadas, perhaps Kashi was the first all-powerful. From the Jataka tales and Brahmin literature, it is known to us that King Brahmadatta of Kashi had great respect in northern India. He was called a pioneer among all the kings (Sabb Rajanam, Agga Raja). In another context, it is said that Kashiraj was very rich. His fund was full of food and money. It is said that in the past times, “O monks”, there was a king named Brahmadatta in Kashi who was composed of Mahadhani, Mahabali, Mahavijayi, Mahavahanas. Whose fund was perfect. But this state did not last long because from the Satapatha Brahmana we know that Satanic Satajit, the king of Kashi, was defeated and extinguished his holy sacrificial fire. Similarly, it is known to us from the Jataka stories that there were conflicts between Kashi and Kosala kings in which Kashiraj would win and sometimes Kosala. But due to the constant war, Kashiraj continued to weaken and King Maha-Kosal of neighboring Kosala won the Kashi kingdom and gave him a dowry for bathing expenses in the marriage of his daughter Mahakoshla.

Kaushal- (skills):-

Kosala's name has been coming from ancient times in India. The history of Raghuvanshi kings of Kosala is stored in Ramayana and Mahabharata. Saryu river is named in Rigveda but Kosala is not mentioned but in Ramayana it is said to be the capital of Kosala where the kings of Ikshvakuvanshi(इक्ष्वाकुवंशी) and Raghuvanshi lived. In Buddhist literature, the name of Kosala also appears in Dasharatha Jataka, but the history of Kosala in the sixth century BCE is somewhat bleak because at one place the king of Kosala has been called impoverished. There is a description that the fund of the Kosala kingdom named Didhiti, which was low-powered, low-powered, low-cost, Mahadaridra and its treasury and treasury was incomplete, but it seems that it's status changed soon and under the chairmanship of Mahakoshal, Kosal ruled the Kashi kingdom. Conquered and after the victory of Kashi, the rivalry of Kosala-Magadha started. Which ended in the fall of Kosala headed by Ajatshatru.

Vats (वत्स):-

According to the Mahabharata and Puranas, Vatsa, the son of King Pratardan(प्रतर्दन) of Kashi, established the kingdom of Vatsa. According to the Kuru lineage, after the burning of Hastinapur during the reign of Nichakshu(निचक्षु), the city of Kaushambi became the capital of the Kurus. These two episodes are conflicting as far as the sixth century BCE is concerned, we know that the king of Vatsa at that time was Shatajit Satanic. Who defeated the king of Kashi and extinguished the yagna fire and also defeated the king of Anga, Dadhivahana. This led to the son of Satanic(शतानिक) son Vatsaraj Udyan, who was famous for his form and music in Indian fiction. From the dream of dreams, pledge, Yauangandharayana(यौगन्धारायण), Kosh Prabhriti texts(कोष प्रभृति ग्रन्थ), it is known to us that they had taken control over the Matsya region. His son Bodhi Rajkumar ruled Harsha Pradesh and his father-in-law Chandra Pradyot was his father-in-law. But after the death of Udayan, the influence of Avanti was established on the Vatsa state.

Avanti:-

Two departments of Avanti have been mentioned in the literature. The capital of Northern Avanti was Ujjaini and the capital of Southern Avanti was Mansumati. According to the Puranas, there was a kingdom of Mansumati city named Hayahyavanshi(हयहयवंशी) Kartavirya who took enmity with Ram (Parshu), son of Jamadagni, which resulted in the destruction of Hayhayavanshi. Many similar stories are found in the Puranas, but in the sixth century BC, Avanti was ruled by a king named Pradyot who was famous as Chand Pradyot because of his angry nature. It is known to us from the Jataka stories that the king of Gandhara wanted to attack him due to enmity with Pushkar Sarini-Chand Pradyot and sent a messenger of this shelter to the then King Vimbasar of Magadha, asking for help from him but in fear of Pradyot Vimbasar remained silent on the subject of assistance in war because Chand Pradyot himself was preparing to attack Vimbasar once. Hence Vimbasar was reconstructing the ramparts of the statehouse. Later, when Pradyot was suffering from Pandu disease, Vimbasar sent his physician's life and got his medicine done. Thus even a person like Vimbasar was afraid of Pradyot. Pradyot married his daughter to Vatsaraja Udayan but after the death of Pradyot in the course of time, during the reign of Magadha's Shishunaga, the dominance of Magadha was established.

Anga (अंग):-

The capital of Anga state was Champa. From the Mahabharata, we know that due to the fear of the wrath of Kamajayi Shankar, Anang became famous as the state in which he left his organ. Its capital Champa is also called Malini. In the sixth century BCE, King of Anga region was Dadhivahana. Which was attacked by Satrajit Shataniq, the king of Vatsa. It is clear that the organ was probably weakening in those days. We also get information in Bhagwati Sukta that Kanchana, daughter of Dadhivahan was initiated into Jainism. We know from Buddhist Jataka tales and Jain literature that King Vimbasar of Magadha conquered the Anga region and appointed his Ajatashatru as the regent there. Thus Anga became a region of Magadha.

Magadh:-

Magadha Pradesh is mentioned in the Vedic literature as a bratya country. It had many capitals. The Giribridge Rajgriha Pataliputra, which has changed from time to time, according to the mythological and Mahabharata lineages, Jarasandha king of Magadha was a staunch enemy of the Pandavas and Yadus. Yaduvanshi Krishna defeated it with the help of the Pandavas. In the sixth century BCE, we find the rule of Maharyak Vanshi King Vimbasar on Magadha. Confirmation of this information is found in the possible form of Brahmin, Puran, Buddhist and Jain literature. Vimbasar probably initially established matrimonial relations with nearby states to establish his position. He got married to Mahakoshla, daughter of King Mahakoshal of Kosala, in whose dowry he got the kingdom of Kashi. Second marriage, he married Kellna, daughter of the Lichchavi Rajchetak of Vajji Sangh and received a Manipal of Saichnak Gandh and eighteen beads in dowry. Thus, fearless from the west and north, he attacked the king of Anga on his eastern border and conquered him and appointed his son Ajatshatru as the governor of the place. The second major event of Vimbasar's time was the preparation of King Chandapradyot of Avanti to attack Magadha. It is said that Vimbasar strengthened the ramparts of the statehouse to protect from this attack. At the same time, Pushkar Sarini, the king of Gandhara, sent an ambassador to Vimbasar for an attack on Chandpradyot, but Pradyot had so much terror that Vimbasar only separated himself from this relationship. But when Pradyot suffered from Pandurog, he sent his friend's life and got him treated. Thus Magadha started expanding the empire through matrimonial relations and social campaigns, it was achieved during the conquest of Ashoka's time.

Bajji (बज्जि):-

The Bajji Pradesh was situated north of the Ganges, south of the Himalayas and east of Kosala. Its main capital was Vaishali. The Bajji Union consisted of eight republics. They are Videha, Lichhavi, gyatrik, Bajji, Ugrabhog, Ikshvaku and Kaurava. Probably this union must have developed after the fall of the Janak dynasty of Videha. In Buddhist literature, there are many details about the Bajji Sangh which throws light on the administration here. As far as his political activities are concerned, we come to know that in the time of Vimbasar, the Bujjis were eager to attack their neighbors. Probably due to this fear, King Vimbasar of Magadha got married to the bajji princess Chellana. But at the time of Vimbasara's son Ajatashatru attacked the Bajji Sanghas of Magadha. After sixteen years of struggle, the Bajji Sangh was destroyed and Ajatshatru merged a large part of the Bajji Sangh into his empire.

Malla (मल्ल):-

The Mahabharata mentions Malla Rashtra which had two capitals - Kushavati and Pawa. In Buddhist literature, this is known as Kushavati Kushinagar. According to the Mahaparinirvanasutra(महापरीनिर्वाणसूत्र), the Mallas had participated in the ashes of the Buddha, Malla was a republic. That is why there was a relationship between hostility and sometimes friendship with the badgers. Therefore, with the defeat of the Lichchhavis, Mallas were also defeated by Ajatshatru and became part of the Magadha Empire.

Chedi (चेदि):-

According to the Puranas, the Chedi kingdom was surrounded by the Kuru region. There were Matsya, vats, and Kashiraj near it. According to Chedi Jataka, the capital of this place was Sotthivati ​​city(सोत्थिवती नगरी), which is probably mixed with Suktimati(सुक्तिमती) mentioned in Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata, mention is made of the king of Chedi, the Upriachak. From Vidarbha caste, we know that the Kashi-Chedi road was unsafe. It seems that in the course of time, the kingdom of Chedi became the right of Vatsraj Udyan.

Kuru (कुरु):-

There is mention of Yadu, Kuru, and Truvasu, etc. in Vedic literature. Probably before the sixth century AD, they were descendants of those who lived around Kurukshetra. Kuru Kurukshetra Kurujangal etc. are some geographical names that are associated with them. Who is connected to them. According to Mahabharata and Puranas, the capital of Kuru state was Hastinapur. But a city named Indraprastha was also built for the Pandavas. These two cities also existed in the sixth century BCE and according to Buddhist literature, the kingdom of Kurus belonged to Yudhishthira gotra and kings named Kokhya are also mentioned. It seems that after the fall of Hastinapur when Kaushambi was made the second capital, many small states of Kurus were formed. During the time of Buddha, a king of the Kuru dynasty went to see him. Over time, Yadu Pradesh probably turned into a republic.

Panchal (पांचाल):-

According to Mahabharata and Divyavadaan, Panchal had two departments - North Panchal and South Panchal. During the Vedic period, the Panchalas fought fiercely with the Kurus, as a result of which the north Panchal went to the possession of the Kurus including their capital Hastinapur. Hence Kampilya became the capital of the Panchalas. The king of Panchala was Pravaharan Jaibali(प्रवाहरण जयबली). After that, the history here is bleak until the time of Vimbasara. In Jataka literature, there is mention of a king named Chulni Bramhadatta. The mention of this Brahmadatta also comes in Uttaradhyana Sutra, Swapan Vasavadatta and Ramayana. The minister of Brahmadatta was trying to make Brahmadatta Maharaj by conquering Mithila Vijay, but he could not succeed. It is possible that after this the Union State was established in the state too.

Sursen (सुरसेन):-

The capital of Surasena was Mathura. Among Greek historians, Surcenoic and Thora were mentioned in their city. The capital of Surasena was Mathura. Among Greek historians, Surcenoic and Thora was mentioned in their city. According to Mahabharata and Puranas, there was a kingdom of Yadus who had many branches. Mithihotra, Satvat, Anudhak, Brishni, and Bhoj. Yadu is a Rigvedic people with an ancient history. Their names also come in Brahmins and Upanishads, but in the course of time, a dark union of these Brishni and Yadus formed in the name of Brishni and Mitihotra. In the sixth century BCE, Shakyamuni's main disciple was King Avantiputra of Surasena. Megasthenes also mentions the Surasenas. But at this time Magadha must have become part of the empire.

Asmak (अस्मक):-

Asmak state was situated on the banks of Godavari river and its capital was Potli. In the Mahabharata, there is a mention of the kingdom called Asmak, which established the city of Patali. In the Vayu Purana, the mention of Asmak and Moolak is simultaneously. According to Asmak Jataka, once this region had the right of Kashi, but it seems that Asmak became independent in due course because Kalinga Jataka has the description that Arun and his minister Nandasen conquered Kalinga state but in the end when Ashoka was on Kalinga At that time, Asmak must also have become part of the Magadha Empire.

Gandhar (गांधार):-

In the Rigveda, descendants of the Druha people are called Gandhara. Similar details are found in the Puranas. Gandhara state was situated on both sides of the Indus River and its two main cities were Pushkalavati and Takshashila. In the Puranas, descriptions of many kings of Gandhara are found, but even in the sixth century BCE, Kushkasarini, the chief king of Gandhara, was very popular in contemporary India. From other sources, we get to know that the Pandavas who were probably a local state. Attacked and captured territory of Kushaksarini. Probably after his death or during his lifetime, Gandhara was attacked by King Dara of Persia because from his famous records we know that Hindus and Gandhara were his subjects.

Kamboj (कम्बोज):-

Gandhara and Kamboj have been used together in Sanskrit literature. The reason for this is probably that both the states are located in Uttarapath. According to the Mahabharata, Rajpurtha in Kamboj is probably Rajpur modern Rajouri. Kamboj was the center of Brahmins and Sanskrit learning during the Vedic period. In the dynasty Brahmins, there is mention of an Acharya named Kamboj. But Sanskrit was no longer the language of Kamboj during Yasak's time. People there started speaking other languages ​​and Kambojas were declared non-Aryan in Jataka literature. According to the Mahabharata, the capital of Kambojo was Rajpur, where their king Chandra Varman used to do, but it seems that in the course of time, Kambojagan was established in place of this state demon.

Matsya (मत्स्य):-

Matsya Pradesh was situated to the south of Vatsa and Surasen. Its main city was Virat Nagar. Its position was accepted in modern Jaitpur. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas were hidden in Viratnagar at the time of unknown residence. According to the legend of Mahabharata, King Virat was a friend of the Pandavas, but in the sixth century BCE, Matsya kingdom was influenced by Matsya, but later in the reign of Maharaj Udayan under Matsya Pradesh Vats. Done and after the fall of Udyan, the influence of Avanti was established on this state and finally became part of Magadha.

All these Mahajanapadas used to fight with each other. The result of this struggle was that only the powerful states named Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, and Vats survived. The other remaining states were merged into them.

Read about Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, and Vats in the next post. click here...

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