Around 600 BC, Northern parts of India were divided into 16 small kingdoms known as “Mahajanapadas”. Avanti, Anga, Magadha, Vatsa, Kasi, Kosala, Saurasena, Panchala, Kuru, Matsya, Chedi, Gandhara, Kamboj, Asmaka, Vijji and Malla are the Mahajanapadas. But among the Mahajanapadas Magadha Empire rose as a developed and became a superpower. The Magadha Empire was influential in every aspect, especially in the military, political domain and economically. King Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty was the founder of the Magadha Empire. Magadha is situated in the southern Bihar region. There were a lot of kings who ruled over the Magadha empire of different dynasties, which are mentioned below.

Magadha Empire Kings

There are a lot of Magadha Empire Kings. Those are

• Bimbisara

Bimbisara is from the Harnyak dynasty. Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya. He ruled for fifty-two years, from 544BC to 492BC. He was the contemporary of Gautam Buddha and Mahavira Jain. His capital is at Girivraja or Rajagriha. Bimbisara was the first ruler to have an excellent standing army. Magadha emerged as a superpower among the Mahajanapadas in the reign of Bimbisara. He started the tradition of marital relationships for political benefits. He did follow the path of war, expansion and conquest. Bimbisara defeated Anga several times. His administration, army, economy and judicial system were strong and effective.

• Ajatasatru

Ajatasatru was the son of Bimbisara. He killed his father, Bimbisara and became the ruler of Magadha. He was a follower of  Buddhism. He ruled between 492BC and 460 BC. During his time, the 1st Buddhist council was convened in his capital Rajgriha. It took Ajatashatru sixteen years to win over Mahajanapada Vishali and add to his kingdom. He used advanced war techniques and war machines for the mass killing of enemies on the battlefield.

• Udayabhadra or udayin

Udayin was the son of Ajatasatru. Udayin was the first king to shift his capital to Pataliputra. He was one of the last rulers of the Harnyak dynasty. After him, three kings, Aniruddha, Nagadasaka and Manda, came to the throne, and they were not so strong, so the Harnyak dynasty faced its downfall.

Sisunaga Dynasty

A revolt had happened by the people of Magadha, and the people of the Magadha Empire overthrew Nagadaska, and his minister Sisunaga became the king.

Sisunaga

Sisunaga was the minister of Mahajanapada Kasi before becoming King of the Magadha Empire. The capital of Sisunaga was at Rajagriha. He became the king in 413 BC. Sisunaga defeated Avanti along with its capital Ujjain and destroyed it completely. He ended the hundred year rivalry between the Magadha kingdom and the Avanti kingdom.

Kalasoka

Kalasoka was the son of Sisunaga, he is also known as king Kakavarna. Kalasoka again shifted his capital to pataliputra. During his time, he hosted the second Buddhist council meeting in Vaishali.

Nanda Dynasty

Nandas are the 1st non-Kshatriya dynasty in the Magadha Empire.

• Mahapadma Nanda

Mahapadmananda killed Kalasoka to become king of the Magadha Empire in 345 BC. The Nandas were considered adharmika means they did not follow any dharma or religion. Mahapadma Nanda ruled for 28 years. Magadha Empire expanded under him, Kuru Mahajanapada from north to Godavari river in south and Magadha from east to Narmada river in west direction. He also invaded the Kalinga Kingdom.  He was also known as Ugrasena because he had a huge army. The Nandas were very rich and cruel in nature. In Mahapadma Nanda’s army, there were 2 lakh foot soldiers, sixty thousand cavalries, and more than six thousand elephant soldiers. During his time, the taxes were too high.

• Dhana Nanda

Dhana Nanda was the son of Mahapadma Nanda. Dhana Nanda was the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Dhana Nanda is also known as agrammes in Greek inscriptions. Dhanananda got a huge Magadha empire from his father. Dhana Nanda had a vast army of 2 lakhs infantry, 20 thousand cavalry, 3 thousand elephant riders and two thousand chariot men. Dhana Nanda introduced Nandopakramani, a measuring system. He was a harsh ruler, and his taxes were also very high, so the people of Magadha were in trouble during his time.

Finally, Chandragupta Maurya overthrew Dhana Nanda with the help of Kautilya(Chanakya) and founded the Mauryan Empire.

Reasons for Growth and Rise of Magadha Empire

1. There are many reasons for the growth and rise of the Magadha Empire. The first one is the Geographical reason. Magadha area was located on the banks of perennial rivers like the Ganga, the Ghagra, the Kosi, the Gandak and the son. Due to the availability of waters, fertile alluvial soil, and a good amount of rainfall, agriculture can be done in a vast area.
2. The other is Economic reasons. The Magadha area had a large reserve of metals like iron and copper. This allowed the economic growth of the Magadha empire.
3. The other reason is Political reasons. Magadha had so many ambitions and powerful kings. They also have good administrations overall.
4. Another reason is the Military reason. Magadha emperors had a powerful army, using advanced machinery and weaponry on the battlefield.

Conclusion

The Magadha Empire was the strongest and most developed among all sixteen Mahajanapadas. The Magadha empire started from Bindusara, the founder of the Magadha empire, to Dhana Nanda, the last king of the Magadha Empire. After the Magadha empire establishment of the Mauryan empire happened, the Gupta Empire was established in Magadha. There were several Magadha empire kings. Bimbisara, Ajatasatru, Udayin, Sisunga, Kalasoka, Mahapadma Nanda and Dhana Nanda were few Magadha emperors. The reasons for the growth of the Magadha empire were Geographical, Political, Economical and Military reasons.