From the UPSC point of view, not many questions have been asked in the past, but it’s important to remember the chronology and significant events during this period. We will try to be brief and highlight important points which will be important in your understanding of coming events and Dynasties.
The period of Mahajanpadas (600 BCE) is also known as the Period of 2nd urbanization (IVC was the 1st urbanization) as the center of polity and economy shifted from India’s North-west to Eastern states (mainly Bihar). Urban settlement and the use of Iron tools enabled the formation of large territories called Mahajanapadas. At that time there were 16 such Mahajanapadas (as per Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya)
Some of the Mahajanapada are (*arranged east to west)
| Mahajanapada | Capital | Unique Aspect |
| Anga (South of Ganga, Bihar) | Champa | Important trade center for traders moving to South-East Asia (Suvarnabhumi) |
Vajji (North Bihar) |
Vaishali | It was Republic state with many clans e.g. Lichchavis (capital Vaishali), Videhans (capital Mithila), and Jnatrikas (Mahavira belonged to this clan) |
| Malla | Kushinagar and Pava | It was also a Republic state. Buddha took his last meal at Pava and entered Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar |
| Kashi (Eastern UP) | Varanashi | |
| Magadha (Bihar) | Rajgir | Haryanka Dynasty (* we will read this in detail) |
| Koshala (Ayodhya, Eastern UP)
|
Shravasti | Its King was Prasenjit (a contemporary of Buddha) It included tribal Republic of Shakyas ( capital Kapilvastu) (Birth of Buddha at Lumbini) |
 |
Kaushambi (confluence of river Ganga and Yamuna, modern Allahabad) | Its King Udayana is the central character in three Sanskrit dramas:
|
| Chetiya or Cheti (Central India) | Shuktimati | Its king was Shishupala (also mentioned in Mahabharata) |
| Panchala (Western UP) | Ahichchhatra (modern Bareilly) | |
| Kuru (Western UP) | Indraprastha | Mahabharata tells the story of the conflict in the Kuru clan |
| Shurasena (Western UP) | Mathura | Its king Avantipura was the disciple of Buddha |
| Matsya (Eastern Rajasthan) | Viratanagara | |
| Avanti ( Central Malwa)- Divided by Vindhya Range | North Avanti: Ujjain South Avanti: Mahismati |
|
| Assaka (situated on the bank of Godavari River) | Potali (modern Nizamabad, Telangana) | Only Mahajanapada lying south of Vindhyas |
| Gandhara (North-west Pakistan) | Taxila | The Behistun Inscription of the Achaemenid Emperor Darius mentions that Gandhara being conquered by the Persians in 2nd half of the 6th Century BC |
| Kamboja (North-west Pakistan) | Poonch (J&K) | It was situated on the Uttarapatha and was known for its excellent breed of horses and as remarkable horsemen |
Types of Government
There were two types of Government- Monarchy (in Kingdoms) and Republics (or Gana-Sangha) E.g. Vajji (Confederation of many clans); Shakya, and Malla (were made up of single clan) were Republics.
Difference between Kingdoms and Gana-Sangha
| Features | Kingdoms | Gana-Sangha (Republic) |
| Government | Centralized and Hereditary | Decentralized and was not hereditary
|
| Location | Most of them based in the foothills of the Himalayas | Most of them are located in the Great alluvial plains of Ganga and its tributaries |
| Decision-making | Through debate, discussion, and voting in the assembly called Santhagara | Through King, who was advised by Mantri-Parishad (ministers) |
| Views | Tolerant towards unorthodox views e.g. Mahavira and Buddha views were contrary to the Vedic system | The Brahmanical system did not tolerate other views |
| Loyalties | Clan loyalty | Caste and King loyalty |
