AGE OF SIXTEEN MAHAJANAPADAS AND JAINISM AND BUDDHISM

AGE OF SIXTEEN MAHAJANAPADAS

SOURCES
i) Anguttara Nikaya
ii) Jaina Bhagavati Sutra iii) Astadhyayi of Panini iv) Gangamala Jataka
Mahajanapadas Capitals Modern Location

Anga Champa Munger & Bhagalpur

Rajgriha
Magadh Nalanda, Gaya and Patna
(Girivraja)/Pataliputra/Vaishali

Kasi Varanasi Varanasi

Vatsa Kaushambi Allahabad/Prayagraj

Kosala Sravasti Awadh

Saurasena Mathura Mathura

Bareilly, Budaun, and Farrukhabad

Panchala Ahichchhatra
(North-West UP)

Kuru Indraprastha Meerut (Western UP)

Matsya Viratnagar Jaipur

Chedi Sothivati/Banda Bundelkhand

Avanti Ujjain/Mahishmati MP & Malwa

Gandhara Taxila Pakistan, Afghanistan

Kamboj Rajapura Kabul Valley, Kashmir

Asmaka Paithan/Pratisthan Bank of Godavari

Vajji Vaishali Vaishali

Malla Kusinara Deoria, Kushinagar (UP)

Anga

• Bimbisara killed Brahmadatta, the last king of Anga Kingdom and merged
Anga into Magadh
• The river Champa formed the boundary between Anga in the east and
Magadha in the west.

Magadha
• Magadha is mentioned in the Atharva Veda.
• It was situated between the Ganga, Son.

Kasi
• It was renowned for its market for horses and cotton textiles.
• King Asvasena was known to the earliest king of Kasi. He was the father of
twenty-third Jaina Tirthankara Parsvanatha.

Kosala
• Sravasti was the capital of Uttara Kosala and Kusavati was the capital of
Dakshin Kosala
• One of the most significant kings among Buddha’s contemporaries was
Prasenajit.
• Bimbisara got Kasi as dowry.

Gandhara

• Its capital was at Taxila which was a famous seat of learning. Panini and
Kautilya were the disciples as well as teachers of Taxila university.

Kamboja

It was located on the Uttarapatha and was known for its excellent breed of
horses.
Vatsa
• The kingdom is situated on the banks of the Yamuna.
• king Udayana declared Buddhism to be the official religion.
• The dramatist Bhasa made Udayana the subject matter of his plays.

Vajji
• The Vajji Mahajanapada was a group of eight clans.

The Licchavis:
• Its capital was at Vaishali.
• Vaishali is considered to be the world’s first republic and had an elected
assembly of representatives.
• Lord Mahavira was born at Kundagram in Vaishali
• Mother of Lord Mahavira, Trishala was sister of King Chetaka of licchavi.

• Later, the kingdom of Licchhavis was conquered by ‘Ajatashatru’.

The Videhas:

• All the kings of this kingdom were called Janak.

• The capital of Videha kingdom was Janakpuris which is now part of Nepal.

The Jnatrikas:

Mahavir Jain belonged to the Jnatrika clan. His father was the head of Jnatrika
clan and his mother was a Licchhavi princess.

Malla

It was a [Link] Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the

capital city of Kushinara

Asmaka
• The Asmaka kingdom was located close to the Godavari River.
• Buddhist sources claim that King Brahmadatta ruled over Asmaka.

Matsya

• Matsya was separated from Panchala by river Yamuna.

• Their capital city was famed as the hiding place of Pandavas.

Avanti
• Pradyota was the city’s ruler during the time of the Buddha.

• Bimbisara sent his royal physician Jivaka to Ujjain, when Pradyota had
jaundice.

Chedi
• Chedi was controlled by a king named Shishupala,

Panchal
• The northern Panchal had its capital at Ahichchhatra
• southern Panchal had its capital at Kampilya
• Famous city Kannauj was situated Panchal Mahajanapada

Kuru
• The famous Pandavas and Kauravas who fought the great Mahabharata
war belonged to the Kuru clan.

Shurasena

• Mathura, its capital, was located on the banks of the Yamuna.

 HISTORY OF MAGDHA UPTO NANDA

HARYANKA DYNASTY (545-430 BC)

BIMBISARA (545-493 BC)
1. Bimbisara was the founder of Haryanka dynasty.
2. Bimbisara was known as Shrenik.
3. His court physician was Jibaka.
4. Contemporary and follower of Gautama Buddha.
5. His capital was Giribraja or Rajagriha.
6. He was killed by his son Ajatashatru
7. He adopted matrimonial policy

AJATASHARTU (493-462 BC)

1. He was the greatest ruler of Haryanka dynasty.
2. He was known as Kunik.
3. Follower of Jainism.
4. His minister was Vassakar.
5. He captured Vrijji after 16 years’ battle.
6. Both Gautama Buddha & Mahavira died during his reign.
7. Rathamushal & Mahasilakantaka were introduced during his time.
8. He was killed by his son Udayin.
9. The first Buddhist Council was held during his time. (483 B.C.)

UDAYIN
1. He was known as Udaybhadra.
2. He transferred the capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.
NAGADASHAKA
1. Last ruler of Haryanka dynasty.
2. He was killed by his Minister Shisunag.

SHAISHUNAGA DYNASTY
1. Founder and greatest ruler was. Shishunaga
2. He transferred the capital from Patliputra to Vaishali.

KALASHOKA
1. He was the last ruler of Shaishunaga dynasty.
2. In 383 B.C Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali was held during his time.
3. He was killed by Mahapadmananda.
4. He transfer is capital from Vaishali to Patliputra

NANDA DYNASTY (364-324 BC)

1. Founder and greatest ruler was. Mahapadma Nanda
2. He assumed the title Ekrat, Parasuram-II and Sarbakshatrantaka.
3. He was known as the first Historical Emperor of Ancient India / Northern
India.
4. He was the follower of Jainism.
5. By birth he was a Sudra.

Dhanananda
1. He was known as Agrames.
2. He was the follower of Jainism.
3. In 327 B.C. Alexander invaded India during his time. (Alexander stayed in
India for 19 months)
4. In 324 B.C. he was dethroned by Chandragupta Maurya.
 JAINISM AND BUDDHISM
JAINISM
• Jainism came to prominence in the 6th century B.C.
• The word Jain means – conquered
• Originally the Jain known as Nirgrantha.

List of Jain Tirthankaras:

1. Rishabh (Bull) 13. Vimalnath

2. Ajitnath (Elephant) 14. Ananthnath

3. Sambhavanath (Horse) 15. Dharmanath

4. Abhinandannath (Monkey) 16. Shantinath

5. Sumathinath 17. Kunthunath

6. Padmaprabha (Lotus) 18. Aranath

7. Suparshanath 19. Mallinath (jar) only women

tirthankara

8. Chandraprabha 20. Munisuvratha

9. Suvidhinath 21. Naminath (Blue lotus)

10. Sitalnath 22. Aristonemi (Conch)

11. Shreyansnath 23. Parsvanatha (Snake) was the

son of King Ashvasena of Benaras

12. Vasupujya 24. Mahavira (Lion)

Vardhaman Mahavira
➢ Date of Birth — 540 B.C.
➢ Place of Birth — Kundagram in Vaishali
➢ Name of father and mother — Siddhartha (Head of Jnatrika Clan), Trisala
(Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka).
 ➢ Wife — Yashoda
➢ Daughter — Priyadarshana or Anojja.
➢ Period of Ascetism — 12 years.
➢ Attainment of Nirvana — At Jimbikagram on the bank of the river
Rijupalika in 42 years of age. This is called Kaivalya.
➢ Tree — Sal.
➢ Death — 468 B.C. at Pavapuri, at the age of 72.
• At the age of 30, Vardhaman renounced his home and became a
wandering ascetic.
• He practised austerity for 12 years and attained highest spiritual
knowledge called Kaivalya
• he was called Mahavira, Jina, Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses),
Nigrantha (free from all bonds), and Kevalin.
• Jamali became his first disciple
• Rejected authority of the Vedas & Vedic rituals.
• Did not believe in the existence of God.
• Believed in Karma & Transmission of Soul.
• Mahavira used the Prakrit language to teach his followers.
• He belonged to Jnatrika clan
• Sudharman was the chief of Jainism after the death of Mahavira.

Doctrines:
Panchayam (five great principles)
i) Truth ii) Non-violence iii) Non-possession iv) Do not steal and v)
Brahmacharya.
The first four principles were introduced by Parsvanatha and the last was
introduced by Mahavira.

Triratna:
I) Right Faith—belief in the Lord Mahavira.
ii) Right Knowledge—Understanding doctrines of Jainism.
iii) Right Conduct—Fulfilment of the great five vows of Jainism.
Division:
The Jains were divided into two sects.
Digambar—
• Leader - Bhadra bahu.
• Main centre – south India and Mysore.
• They kept themselves naked.
• They were orthodox and rigid.
• Believe women cannot achieve liberation.

Svetambara
• Leader - Sthulabhadra.
• Main centre – Gujrat and Rajasthan.
• They wore white dress.
• They were more liberal and supporters of change.
• Believe women can achieve liberation.
Jain Council:
I) The first Council was held at Pataliputra under the Presidentship of
Sthulabhadra, 300 B.C.
❖ the compilation of 12 Angas to replace the lost 14 Purvas.
ii) The second Council was held at Vallabhi under the Presidentship of Devardhi
Kshama Sramana,512AD
❖ in final re-compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

Royal patrons of Jainism

North India South India
Chandragupta Maurya Kadamba dynasty
Bimbisara Ganga dynasty
Ajatasatru Amoghavarsha
Kharavela Kumarapala (Chalukya
dynasty)
 Caves
Ellora Caves Maharashtra
Mangi Tungi Cave Maharashtra
Gajapantha Cave Maharashtra
Udayagiri Khandagiri Caves Odisha
Hathi gumpha Cave Odisha
Sittanavasal Cave Tamil Nadu

Statues
Gometeshwara/Bahubali Statue Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Statue of Ahimsa (Rishabnatha) Mangi Tungi hills, Maharashtra

Temple
Dilwara Temple Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Girnar and Palitana Temple Gujarat
Muktagiri Temple Maharashtra

BUDDHISM

Buddhism was the movement that gave the greatest shock to Brahmanism. It
was started by Gautama Buddha who was a notable contemporary of
Mahavira. Buddhism stands on three pillars: the Buddha, its founder; the
Dharma, his teachings and the Sangha; the order of Buddhist monks and nuns.
Gautama Buddha

[Link] — At Lumbini, Kapilavastu. (563-483)

2. Gotra — Gautama.
3. Father and Mother — Suddhodhan (Sakya king) Mahamaya (Koliya Princess)
4. Wife — Yashodhara.
5. Cousin — Devdatta.
6. Son — Rahul.
7. Horse — Kanthaka.
8. Charioteer — Channa/Chandaka.
9. Teacher of Meditation — Alara Kalma.
10. Place of Enlightenment — Bodh Gaya (Urabilla Village, Nairanjana river—
Modern Phalgu/Litajan.
11. Tree under which he got ‘Nirvana’ — Pipal.
12. First nun and his foster mother — Gautami.
13. First Sermon — Sarnath (Dharmachakrapravartana)
14. Mahaparinirvana — Kushinaga,at the age of 80.

Symbols in Buddhism
Birth Lotus and Bull.
Great Renunciation Horse.
Nirvana Bodhi Tree.
Sermon Dharma Chakra.
Mahaparinirvana Stupa

Doctrines:
Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya):
1. World is full of sorrow.
2. Desire is the cause of sorrow.
3. Sorrow could be destroyed by removing desire.
4. Desire can be removed by eight-fold path.

Eight-fold path (Astangikamarga)

(i) Right beliefs. (v) Right livelihood.

(ii) Right resolve. (vi) Right effort.
(iii) Right speech. (vii) Right memory.
(iv) Right action. (viii) Right meditation
 Three Jewels (Triratna):
• Buddha - knowledge
• Sangha - order
• Dharma – doctrine

Buddhist Time Place Ruler President Specificity

Council
First 483 BCE Rajgriha Ajatashatru Mahakassappa Composition of
Suttapitaka and Vinay
Pitaka by Ananda and
Upali.
Second 383 BCE Vaishali Kalasoka Sabbakami Two sects were born —
Mahasanghika and
Sthaviravadin.
Third 250 BCE Pataliputra Ashoka Mogaliputta Final compilation of
Tissa Tripitaka took place
(Abhidhammapitaka was
compiled).
Fourth 1st Century Kashmir Kanishka Vasumitra Buddhism divided into
CE Mahayana and Hinayana
sects.

Different division of Buddhism

➢ Hinayana - Lesser vehicle
➢ Mahayana - Greater vehicle
➢ Vajrayana - Diamond Vehicle
➢ Sahajayana
➢ Staviravadins
➢ Mahasanghikas
Buddhist literature
❖ Tripitaka — Buddhist religious text. (Sutta, Vinay, Abhidharma Pitak)
❖ Jataka — Stories of the previous birth of the Gautama Buddha. (Total
story 547)
❖ Milindapanha — Nagasena.
❖ Buddhacarita — Asvaghosa.
❖ Madhyamika Sutra — Nagarjuna.
❖ Mahavibhasa Sutra — Vasumitra.
❖ Abhidharmakosa — Vasubandhu.
❖ Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa — Buddhist text, deal with history of Sri
Lanka (Ceylon).

✓ Buddha left home at 29,

✓ He attained 'awakening' at 35,
✓ The devotional period of Buddha 49 days
✓ Mahanama, Kaundinya ,Bhaddiya, Vappa and Assaji were the first five
disciples of Gautama Buddha.
✓ Sri Lanka was the first country to receive Buddhism
✓ First image of Buddha made at Mathura during Kushan period