Tag: emergence of kingdoms and republics

The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganges; its first capital was Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) and later it was Pataliputra (modern Patna). 

During the age of Mahajanapadas, the kings ruled with the help of officials, both high and low. Purohit was the post given to the main priest in the king's court. Senapati was the military commander and the tax collectors were known as Bandagarikas. The tolls were collected by officers known as Shoulkik during that period and Amatya was the chief minister. 

Out of 16 Mahajanapadas, four were very powerful. These included Magadha, Vatsa, Avanti and Koshala. These four Mahajanpadas engaged in the struggle for supremacy from 6th Century BC to 4th Century BC. The enmity between Magadha and Avanti rose to its zenith when Udaiyn, the successor and son of Ajatshatru was murdered upon the instigation of the king of Avanti. Finally, the hundred years of enmity between the two ended when the Shishuganga dynasty of Magadha destroyed the Prayota dynasty of Avanti and captured it. 

Ajat Shatru the son of Bimbisara continued with the policy of expansion of the Magadha Empire. He successfully conquered many republics of the east. The kingdom of Magadha prospered during the reign of Ajat Shatru.

In the northern part of the country, the village headman was known as the grama bhojaka. Usually, men from the same family held the position for generations. In other words, the post was hereditary.