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Book No. – 18 (Ancient History)
Book Name – History – Higher Secondary – First Year – Tamil Nadu Board
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. CH5. The Rise of Magadha and Alexander’s Invasion
1.1. Bimbisara (546-494 B.C.).
1.2. Ajatasatru (494 – 462 B.C.).
1.3. Saisunaga Dynasty.
1.4. Nandas
1.5. Persian and Greek Invasions
1.6. Alexander’s Invasion of India (327-325 B.С.)
2. CH6. The Mauryan Empire
2.1. Literary Sources
2.2. Archaeological Sources
2.3. Political History of Mauryas
2.4. Later Mauryas
2.5. Mauryan Administration
2.6. Provincial and Local Administration
2.7. Mauryan Art and Architecture
2.8. Causes for the Decline of the Mauryas
3. CH7. Post-Mauryan India
3.1. Sungas
3.2. Satavahanas
3.3. Foreign Invasions of Northwest India
3.4. Kushanas
3.5. Gandhara Art
3.6. Mathura School of Art
3.7. Successors of Kanishka and end of Kushana Rule
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History – Higher Secondary
Unit II (Tamil Nadu Board)
CH5. The Rise of Magadha and Alexander’s Invasion
In the early 6th century B.C., northern India consisted of many independent kingdoms, some with monarchical governments and others as republics.
Monarchies were mainly concentrated on the Gangetic plain, while republics were found in the Himalayan foothills and northwestern India.
Some republics consisted of a single tribe, such as the Sakyas, Licchavis, and Mallas.
In republics, decisions were made by the Public Assembly of tribal representatives or family heads, through majority vote.
The Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya lists sixteen great kingdoms called ‘Sixteen Mahajanapadas’: Anga, Magadha, Kasi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Asmaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kambhoja.
Jain texts also refer to the existence of sixteen kingdoms.
Over time, smaller and weaker kingdoms either submitted to stronger rulers or were eliminated.
By the mid-6th century B.C., only four kingdoms survived: Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha.
Vatsa:
Located on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Capital was Kausambi near modern Allahabad.
Famous ruler: Udayana.
Strengthened position through matrimonial alliances with Avanti, Anga, and Magadha.
After Udayana’s death, Vatsa was annexed by Avanti.
Avanti:
Capital was Ujjain.
Important ruler: Pradyota, who married Vasavadatta, daughter of Udayana.
Patronized Buddhism.
Later rulers were weak; kingdom was taken over by Magadha.
Kosala:
Capital was Ayodhya.
Famous ruler: Prasenajit, highly educated.
Strengthened position through matrimonial alliance with Magadha.
Sister of Prasenajit married Bimbisara; Kasi given as dowry.
Dispute with Ajatasatru ended with Prasenajit marrying Bimbisara’s daughter.
After Prasenajit’s death, Kosala became part of Magadha.
Magadha:
Emerged as the most powerful and prosperous kingdom in North India.
Became the nerve centre of political activity in the region.
Had significant geographical and strategic advantages: location between upper and lower Gangetic valley, fertile soil, iron ores near Rajgir, copper and iron deposits near Gaya.
Central position on important trade highways contributed to wealth.
Capital was Rajagriha.
Prosperity peaked during the reigns of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.