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It
was during the 6h century B.C. that the city of Magadha
rose to prominence in Bharat. It will be very much interesting
to know the condition of Northern Bharat at and before the rise
of Magadha. This was the period when people knew Buddhism and
Jainism as religions. When Buddha appeared on the scene there
was no paramount power. Bharat had become a congeries of states
( Mahajanapadas) amongst which some were monarchies and some
republics. The 16
Mahajanapadas Kasi,
Kosala, Anga, Magdha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala,
Matsya, Saurasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja by
this time were in a race for supremacy.
Magadha
thus was one of these Mahajanapadas. The other names
of Magadha were Magadhapura, Vasumati, Brihadrathapura, Kushagrapura
and Bimbisarapuri. The earliest dynasty of Magadha was founded
by Brihadratha,
father
of Jarasandha and the son of Vasu. The number of future Brihadrathas
fluctuates between 16, 22, and 32 and the total length of their
rule is fixed at 730 to 1000 years. The Haryanka Dynasty of
Bimbisara followed this.
This
probably was the beginning of the glorious period of Magadha.
Bimbisara being an ambitious king added to the glory and territories
of Magadha by his policy of annexation and matrimonial
alliances. This
helped him extend his kingdom both eastwards and westwards.
He also had an efficient system of administration and justice.
The Penal Code was there. Above all various provinces were given
a lot of autonomy. Means of communication were improved. However
there is no unanimity of opinion as regards to his religion.
Ajatshatru
his
son followed him. His reign saw a succession of wars with Kosala,
Vaishali, the Licchhavis and Avanti also. He was followed by
three other kings finally leading to the foundation of the Nanda
dynasty, which was responsible for the rise of a legend Kautilya
(Chanakya).
Puranas
refer to 9 Nanda kings of which Dhanananda was the last. Nandas
as per Puranas are stated to have a lot of wealth. Dhanananda
according to some foreign accounts collected riches to the amount
of eighty billions in a rock in the bed of the river Ganga.
Puranas have references stating that the Nandas were non religious
or Adharmikas. Finally the Dynasty was overthrown by Chandragupta
Maurya.
Another
landmark in the history of Bharat happened during this period-
the
invasion of Alexander. Alexander
had got the information regarding the military strength and
unpopularity of Dhanananda. The 19 months stay of Alexander
affected Indian policy in the long run. History
was giving birth to one of it's great heroes Chanakya
during this time. He was a man having passion for learning.
He went to Pataliputra for learning and disputation. Dhanananda
was reigning here. He was giving a lot of money in charities
through a Dhanasala with governing body whose president was
to be a Brahmin. Chanakya was elected the president but was
dismissed by Dhanananda on account of his manners and features.
This was too much for Chanakya and he took a vow that he would
ruin Nanda Dynasty. This was the reason why he trained Chandragupta
who later overthrew Nandas and established Mauryan Empire.
Chanakya then served Chandragupta as the Prime Minister.
His work Arthashastra even today is regarded as the text for
management, finance and administration of affairs of state.
The work not only mentions about the taxation system, the cabinet
but also gives in detail how the spies should be employed.
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