PPT: Territorial States and First Maghdha Empire | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Territorial States and 
The First Magadha 
Empire
Page 2


Territorial States and 
The First Magadha 
Empire
The Rise of Territorial States
1
Iron Age Revolution
From the sixth century B.C., widespread use of iron in eastern Uttar Pradesh 
and western Bihar led to the formation of large territorial states.
2
Empowered Warriors
The adoption of iron weapons and new agricultural tools empowered the 
warrior class and increased food production.
3
Surplus and Growth
The surplus was used by princes for military and administrative needs, also 
benefiting emerging towns.
4
Territorial Allegiance
This development reinforced the territorial concept, with people pledging 
allegiance to their Janapada or territory rather than the broader Jana.
Page 3


Territorial States and 
The First Magadha 
Empire
The Rise of Territorial States
1
Iron Age Revolution
From the sixth century B.C., widespread use of iron in eastern Uttar Pradesh 
and western Bihar led to the formation of large territorial states.
2
Empowered Warriors
The adoption of iron weapons and new agricultural tools empowered the 
warrior class and increased food production.
3
Surplus and Growth
The surplus was used by princes for military and administrative needs, also 
benefiting emerging towns.
4
Territorial Allegiance
This development reinforced the territorial concept, with people pledging 
allegiance to their Janapada or territory rather than the broader Jana.
The Mahajanpadas
16 Large States: Predominantly north of the Vindhyas, from the northwest 
frontier to Bihar.
Powerful States: Magadha (Patna, Gaya), Koshala, Vatsa, Avanti. Magadha 
became the dominant power.
Notable Kingdoms:
Anga (Monghyr, Bhagalpur) 3 Capital: Champa, later absorbed by Magadha.
Vajjis (Tirhut) 3 Confederacy, strongest clan: Lichchhavis. Capital: Vaishali.
Kashi 3 Capital: Varanasi, later annexed by Koshala.
Koshala 3 Capital: Shravasti, included Ayodhya & Shakyas9 territory (Kapilvastu, 
Lumbini).
Mallas 3 Capital: Kushinara, Buddha9s passing place.
Vatsas 3 Capital: Kaushambi, descended from the Kuru clan.
Kurus & Panchalas 3 Older states, declining power.
Avanti 3 Malwa region, split into North (Ujjain) & South (Mahishamati).
Page 4


Territorial States and 
The First Magadha 
Empire
The Rise of Territorial States
1
Iron Age Revolution
From the sixth century B.C., widespread use of iron in eastern Uttar Pradesh 
and western Bihar led to the formation of large territorial states.
2
Empowered Warriors
The adoption of iron weapons and new agricultural tools empowered the 
warrior class and increased food production.
3
Surplus and Growth
The surplus was used by princes for military and administrative needs, also 
benefiting emerging towns.
4
Territorial Allegiance
This development reinforced the territorial concept, with people pledging 
allegiance to their Janapada or territory rather than the broader Jana.
The Mahajanpadas
16 Large States: Predominantly north of the Vindhyas, from the northwest 
frontier to Bihar.
Powerful States: Magadha (Patna, Gaya), Koshala, Vatsa, Avanti. Magadha 
became the dominant power.
Notable Kingdoms:
Anga (Monghyr, Bhagalpur) 3 Capital: Champa, later absorbed by Magadha.
Vajjis (Tirhut) 3 Confederacy, strongest clan: Lichchhavis. Capital: Vaishali.
Kashi 3 Capital: Varanasi, later annexed by Koshala.
Koshala 3 Capital: Shravasti, included Ayodhya & Shakyas9 territory (Kapilvastu, 
Lumbini).
Mallas 3 Capital: Kushinara, Buddha9s passing place.
Vatsas 3 Capital: Kaushambi, descended from the Kuru clan.
Kurus & Panchalas 3 Older states, declining power.
Avanti 3 Malwa region, split into North (Ujjain) & South (Mahishamati).
Rise and Growth of the 
Magadha Empire
Bimbisara's 
Rule
Bimbisara of the 
Haryanka dynasty 
brought Magadha 
into prominence, 
initiating a policy of 
conquest and 
strategic alliances.
Ajatashatru's 
Expansion
Ajatashatru 
succeeded Bimbisara, 
engaging in conflicts 
with Kashi, Koshala, 
and Vaishali, 
expanding the 
Magadhan empire.
Udayin and 
Shishunagas
Udayin fortified 
Rajgir, followed by the 
Shishunaga dynasty 
which destroyed the 
power of Avanti.
Nanda Dynasty
The Nandas succeeded the Shishunagas, further expanding Magadha's power by 
conquering Kalinga and Koshala.
Page 5


Territorial States and 
The First Magadha 
Empire
The Rise of Territorial States
1
Iron Age Revolution
From the sixth century B.C., widespread use of iron in eastern Uttar Pradesh 
and western Bihar led to the formation of large territorial states.
2
Empowered Warriors
The adoption of iron weapons and new agricultural tools empowered the 
warrior class and increased food production.
3
Surplus and Growth
The surplus was used by princes for military and administrative needs, also 
benefiting emerging towns.
4
Territorial Allegiance
This development reinforced the territorial concept, with people pledging 
allegiance to their Janapada or territory rather than the broader Jana.
The Mahajanpadas
16 Large States: Predominantly north of the Vindhyas, from the northwest 
frontier to Bihar.
Powerful States: Magadha (Patna, Gaya), Koshala, Vatsa, Avanti. Magadha 
became the dominant power.
Notable Kingdoms:
Anga (Monghyr, Bhagalpur) 3 Capital: Champa, later absorbed by Magadha.
Vajjis (Tirhut) 3 Confederacy, strongest clan: Lichchhavis. Capital: Vaishali.
Kashi 3 Capital: Varanasi, later annexed by Koshala.
Koshala 3 Capital: Shravasti, included Ayodhya & Shakyas9 territory (Kapilvastu, 
Lumbini).
Mallas 3 Capital: Kushinara, Buddha9s passing place.
Vatsas 3 Capital: Kaushambi, descended from the Kuru clan.
Kurus & Panchalas 3 Older states, declining power.
Avanti 3 Malwa region, split into North (Ujjain) & South (Mahishamati).
Rise and Growth of the 
Magadha Empire
Bimbisara's 
Rule
Bimbisara of the 
Haryanka dynasty 
brought Magadha 
into prominence, 
initiating a policy of 
conquest and 
strategic alliances.
Ajatashatru's 
Expansion
Ajatashatru 
succeeded Bimbisara, 
engaging in conflicts 
with Kashi, Koshala, 
and Vaishali, 
expanding the 
Magadhan empire.
Udayin and 
Shishunagas
Udayin fortified 
Rajgir, followed by the 
Shishunaga dynasty 
which destroyed the 
power of Avanti.
Nanda Dynasty
The Nandas succeeded the Shishunagas, further expanding Magadha's power by 
conquering Kalinga and Koshala.
The Nanda Dynasty and Transition to Mauryas
1
2
3
4
Nanda's Rise
Nandas succeeded the Shishunagas and 
proved to be powerful rulers.
Mahapadma's 
Conquests
Mahapadma Nanda expanded 
Magadha's power by conquering 
Kalinga and Koshala.
Alexander's Invasion
Alexander, invading Punjab, did not 
advance eastward due to the Nandas' 
power.
Nanda's Decline
Later Nandas were weak and 
unpopular, leading to the rise of the 
Maurya dynasty.