Rise of Mahajanapadas in Indian Subcontinent

Mahajanapadas as discussed by Harsh Kumar

Background

The 6^th century BC was an important phase of Indian History as during this time, second urbanization was evolved in Indian which gave rise to the Mahajanapadas form the Janapadas because of huge prosperity during this age. The Mahajanapadas were the bigger political units emerged from Janapadas which was evolved from the Jana, the biggest political unit of Vedic age.

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Rise of Mahajanapadas

The contemporary sources such as Buddhist texts, Anguttarnikya and Jain texts, Bhagwatishutra provided names of sixteen Mahajanapadas of 6^th century BC. The emergence of these Mahajanapadas were facilitated by the number of favorable factors like politico-military, socio-culture and economic factors. The tradition of territorial expansion which was commenced during the later Vedic age transformed the Janas of Vedic age to Janapadas and further transformed into Mahajanapadas in 6^th century BC.

Use of Iron weapons played an important role in rise of Mahajanapadas because these weapons greatly strengthen imperialistic outlook. The powerful army using iron weapons was used for territorial aggrandizement. Religious ideals and ceremonies like Ashwamedha sacrifice inspired the rulers to pursue policy of territorial aggrandizement. As a result of which size of political entity continued to grow. Progress witnessed in fields of agriculture, art and crafts, and trade and commerce prepared a strong materials base for emergence of Mahajanapadas.

As a result of this economic progress, kings were in position to maintain elaborate admin machinery and powerful army by mobilizing resources through taxes. Population growth also played role in the rise on Mahajanapadas. Most of Mahajanapadas were monarchial in nature. Out of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the Vajji and Malla were republican in character, but they decline with time.

The powerful rulers and their aggressive leadership also contributed to the territorial expansion. The rulers like Bimbisara used all strategies to expand their territorial extent which resulted in the emergence of Magadha as most powerful Mahajanapadas.

Factors Behind the Decline of Republics

During the 6^th century BC, the republic and monarchies were both equally successful. Vajji was renowned for its strength. But with passage of time republics disappeared from the history of India as monarchies prevail. Lack of unity among decision makers in republic states played an important role in their decline. Collegiate form of government was followed in republic states. Discussions were taken by council through the majority vote.

They could not stand together in hour of crisis and their internal differences were exploited by powerful monarchies. The geographical location of the various republic states was disadvantaged for them because they were located mostly around the foothills and remote tribal regions where fertile plains and other economic resources were absent.

Republican states were conservative in outlook and maintain limited contact with other areas. So, this isolation restricted their important activities like trade and commerce activities. They could not develop new weapons available with monarchies. Aggressive expansion policies of rulers like Ajatsatru, Mahapadmanada, Chandragupta and Samudragupta destroyed these republican states. According to the Allahabad pillar inscription, a number of republican states like Malvas, Arjunayan, Yodhiyas accepted the overlordship of Samudragupta. 

Thus, the Mahajanapadas was the first major political unit in the Indian history from which many of emerged as the most powerful states with time. For example, Magadha became the most powerful states during the 6^th century BC. And the republics were declined gradually with time.