Скачать или смотреть The Rise and Fall of Magadha Empire | 99notes

"Magadha, located in present-day southern Bihar, rose to prominence around the 6th century BCE. It was one of the Mahajanapadas, the sixteen great states of ancient India. The first major ruler, Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty, expanded Magadha through diplomacy, marriage alliances, and conquest, particularly annexing Anga. His capital was at Rajagriha (modern Rajgir). His son, Ajatashatru, continued this expansion. He is known for his wars with Kosala, Lichchhavis, and Vaishali, and also for constructing a protective fort and using innovative war machines like catapults. The throne then passed to the Shishunaga dynasty, which temporarily shifted the capital to Vaishali, but later brought it back to Pataliputra, laying the foundation for future imperial rule."

"The next powerful dynasty was the Nandas—wealthy, militarily strong, but unpopular. Their centralised administration and huge standing army made Magadha the richest state of its time. But their rule ended with the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya (Kautilya). This marked the beginning of the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE, the greatest phase of Magadhan dominance. Under Ashoka the Great, Magadha became the center of a pan-Indian empire, spreading from Afghanistan to Tamil Nadu. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced Buddhism, spreading it across Asia."

"After Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire weakened due to succession issues and decentralization. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was overthrown by his general Pushyamitra Shunga, beginning a new phase in Indian polity. Though Magadha lost its imperial dominance, its cities-like Pataliputra -remained centers of culture, trade, and learning.

The rise of Magadha set the stage for India's early empires by showcasing the power of administrative centralization, military strength, and political strategy.

Its legacy lived on through the Guptas, who also ruled from the Magadhan region centuries later."