Magadha – Factors Behind its Rise

Rise of Magadha empire as discussed by Harsh

Background

Around the 6^th century, the emergence of Mahajanapadas was a significant development in the history of India. During this time, there were sixteen Mahajanapadas according to the various Buddhist and Jainism texts. It was the most powerful because of various factors, we will discuss them later in this post. The emergence of Magadha empire in 4^th century BC carried the process of politico-admin evolution to it extent.

It was the first empire in the Indian sub-continent which covered extensive territory beginning from the Hindukush mountains in west to Bengal in east, Kashmir valley in north to Karnataka in south. It was one of the Mahajanapadas but Magadha was expanded rapidly and could get transformed into an extensive empire while other Mahajanapadas disappeared from the scene with time. There were factors behind the emergence of Magadha as powerful empire.

Also Read : Rise of Mahajanapadas in Indian Subcontinent

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Factors Behind the Emergence of Magadha

Favorable Geography and Economic Strength

The favorable geographical location of Magadha imparted it with great economic strength as agriculture, industries, art and crafts, and trade and commerce all flourished and more advanced during this age. It was located in the heart of an extensive fertile alluvial plain as the number of perennial rivers were flowed through the Magadha. Hence, the water sources were in plenty and climate was suitable for agriculture.

Because of these factors, agriculture flourished in no time in this region which generated huge amount of surplus to peasants that help rulers to collect taxes for the mobilization of the resources. This strong material foundation paved way for the emergence of the powerful empire. The Magadhan industries and crafts were also in highly developed state because of the iron mines in this region which were in huge demand of manufacturing goods.

The Magadhan trade and commerce was also in developed stage because of huge internal demand as well as control over routes of external trade. Utrapatha, the most important route of internal was passing through the Magadha region. The most important port of external trade, Tamralipti, was under the control of Magadha. These things helped a lot in generation of the tax revenue for the Magadha rulers as they taxed both internal as well external trades.

These economic factors helped in creating a powerful material base for the expansion of the Magadha empire that helped Magadha to flourished for so many years.

Geography and Politico-Military Strength

 The favorable location also imparted the politico-military strength as well as the capital of Magadha enjoyed natural defense. The earlier capital, Rajgriha was surrounded by the five hills and later capital, Patliputra was surrounded by three rivers (Ganges, Soan, Punpun) and Patliputra was also known as the Jaldurga (water fort). These factors helped rulers to focus on territorial expansion as a result Magadhan imperialism was more effective than other contemporary kingdoms.

The availability of iron mines in this region helped them to build stronger weapons. The elephants were available only in the eastern part of country at that time and Magadha rulers recruited them into army that made army much stronger as enemy soldiers were used to ran away by just hearing the sound of elephants.

The timber was available in the part of Magadha empire that help in building forts, walls and chariots. According to the Megasthenes, the city of Patliputra was surrounded by a wooden palisade. The remains of this wooden wall have been found at Bulandibag and Gosainkhanda, both are in Patna (formerly Patliputra).

Geography and Socio-Cultural Strength

It was located outside the pale of holy Aryavarta, hence, the Brahmanical ideas like varna, ashrama, Dharma system were not followed rigidly in the Magadhan region. The socio-cultural liberalization allowed rulers to recruit soldiers from all varnas as mentioned in Arthashastra also. This helped in building a large army for territorial expansion.

The peoples of this region were pragmatic and materialistic, so they invested their energy and resource in the development of economic activities rather than performing the complex rituals and philosophy.

Role of Rulers

The rulers of this empire were the main forces behind the development of the kingdom in a mighty one. Their imperial policies and approach led to emergence of a great empire. Bimbisara was the founder of Hariyanka dynasty. He used the policies of matrimonial alliances as well as war and battles also to carry out territorial expansion. He married with Licchvi, Kosala, Matsya and Madra kingdom.

He received the village of Kashi in dowry from the king of Kosala. That village provided a revenue of one lakh per Pana per annum. He also conquered the Anga kingdom, as a result Tamralipti port came under the dominance of Magadha. Ajatshatru fought war against Kosala and Vajji. He conquered the Vajji after sixteen years of long struggle.

Sisunaga successfully completed conquest of Avanti as the was with Avanti was going from the last 100 years which came to end during the time of Sisunaga. Mahapadmanada was a great conqueror. He exterminated a number of republican kingdoms located in central India and eastern India. According to the Hathigumpha inscription of king Kharavela, Kalinga was conquered by Mahapadmanada. He extended his kingdom boundary to Punjab in west.

It was the conquests of Mahapadmanada which transformed the Magadha into an empire. Chandragupta Maurya extended the frontiers of Magadhan empire up to Hindukush mountains and Makran coast in north-west to Kashmir Valley in north to Karnataka in south. The process of rise of Magadha was reached to its climax during the reign of Ashoka the great who followed the aggressive expansion policies in initial stage of reign till the conquest Kalinga after that he followed the Dhamma and expand empire by peaceful means. Thus, different factors help in emergence of Magadha as a mighty empire.