Major Mahajanpads & Their Capital
Mahajanapadas emerged during the Vedic Age (600–300 BC).
It is a large political-geographical unit that existed in ancient history.
The second urban civilization (after Harappan) arose.
During this period, Aryans were the most powerful tribes and were also known as “Janas.”
Janas changed into Janapadas eventually, and Janapadas changed into Mahajanapadas. in which “Jana” means people and “Padas” means foot.
Janas
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Janapadas
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Mahajanapadas
There were 16 major kingdoms that developed due to the use of iron tools and weapons.
Tribes moved to the Gangetic Plain (both west and east).
Both systems (republic and monarchy) existed at the time, with the republic system known as Gana Sangha.
16 Mahajanpadas & Their Capital
Kamboja | Pooncha |
Gandhara | Taxila |
Kuru | Indraprastha |
Matsya | Viratnagar |
Kosala | Sravasti |
Kasi | Kasi |
Saurasena | Mathura |
Vatsa | Kausambi |
Malla (republic) | Kusinara |
Magadha | Rajagriha/Girivraja |
Anga | Champa |
Vajji (republic) | Vaishali |
Panchala | Abhichchatra and Kampliya |
Avanti | Ujjain or Mahismati |
Assaka or Ashmaka (republic) | Pratisthan/Paithan |
Chedi | Sothivati |
- Where Malla, Vajji, and Assaka were in the Republic (Gana-Sangha).
