Indian history before the seventh century was not
dated. The lack of written records and other material certainly breaks the continuity
at several points yet the practices of the ancient and the Vedic periods
exists till today as traditions. The first recorded date is considered
as 326BC, the year of Alexander's invasion. The Mauryan period dates slightly
later and historical traditions recorded in literature gives us some information
of the kingdoms of Northern India in the seventh century BC.
Vast territories in the northern part of
India were covered by forest and inhabited by tribes. Civilized
settlements existed in the plains of the Indus and the Ganga. Four important
kingdoms of this period were the Magadha, the Avadh, the Vatsa and the
Malwa. The other small kingdoms were Kasi, Matsya, Kuru and Panchala. Besides these
kingdoms there were many non - monarchial clans. The most important was the Virji
confederation of eight clans, of which the Licchavis, who ruled from Vaisali as
their capital was prominent. The others were Sakyas of Kapilavastu and the Mallas. These clans had no
hereditary rules. An assembly was in charge of administration helped by a council
and an elected chief. The four kingdoms maintained matrimonial relation, though
fighting among themselves for supremacy was common. Magadha emerged as the
strongest power with an able line of rulers.
While Magadha was establishing their way over northern India,
the regions of west, Punjab, Sind and Afganistan were divided into many
states. Kamboja and Gandhara are two of the sixteen Mahajanapadas mentioned in
the Buddhist scriptures.
Magadha
The history of the Magadha kingdom was unleashed in south Bihar in the
4th century
BC and the drama commenced in the Saisungha dynasty by
a chieftain named Sisunga in about 642BC.
Bimbisara was
the fifth
king of this kingdom. He contributed extending his dominions by the
conquest of Anga the modern Bhagalpur and Monghyr district. He is said to
reigned for twenty eight years, according to the puranas. He is
regarded as the person who laid the foundation of Magadhan greatness. His policy
of diplomacy and war, and able administration made Magadha a great empire.
