Magadha (Haryanka dynasty)

Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) was a state in Gangetic plain and Nepal (South Asia) that lasted from c. 544 to 413 BCE, about 131 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

Bimbisara and his son Ajatashatru made Magadha the strongest Mahajanapada by annexing Anga, Kosala and the Vajji league. Both were contemporaries of the Buddha and of Mahavira.

See Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 544 to 413 BCE

Duration

131 years

Type

State

Region

Gangetic plain and Nepal, South Asia

Language family

Indo-Aryan

Capital

Rajagriha, later Pataliputra

Came from

• Kosala c. 700 to 475 BCE
• Vajji confederacy c. 700 to 468 BCE

Became

• Shishunaga dynasty c. 413 to 345 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
• Panchala c. 1100 to 350 BCE
• Avanti c. 600 to 350 BCE
• Vajji confederacy c. 700 to 468 BCE
• Kosala c. 700 to 475 BCE
• Shakya republic c. 650 to 480 BCE
• Gandhara c. 600 to 518 BCE
• Shishunaga dynasty c. 413 to 345 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
• Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
• Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe

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