Kosala

Kosala was a state in Gangetic plain and Nepal (South Asia) that lasted from c. 700 to 475 BCE, about 225 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

A great Mahajanapada north of the Ganges whose king Prasenajit was a patron of the Buddha. His son Vidudabha destroyed the Shakya clan, and Magadha absorbed Kosala soon after.

See Kosala on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 700 to 475 BCE
Duration: 225 years
Type: State
Region: Gangetic plain and Nepal, South Asia
Language family: Indo-Aryan
Capital: Shravasti, Saketa (Ayodhya)

Became

Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) c. 544 to 413 BCE

Events in South Asia during its time

483 BCE Death of the Buddha

Neighbours in South Asia

Kuru Kingdom c. 1200 to 500 BCE
Achaemenid eastern satrapies c. 535 to 330 BCE
Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) c. 544 to 413 BCE
Panchala c. 1100 to 350 BCE
Avanti c. 600 to 350 BCE
Vajji confederacy c. 700 to 468 BCE
Shakya republic c. 650 to 480 BCE
Gandhara c. 600 to 518 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did Kosala exist?

c. 700 to 475 BCE, about 225 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Kosala?

Gangetic plain and Nepal, in South Asia. Its capital was Shravasti, Saketa (Ayodhya).

What language did Kosala speak?

Indo-Aryan. This family includes Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala.

What came after Kosala?

Magadha (Haryanka dynasty).