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Introduction
The Anga Kingdom was known for its riches and prosperity. The kingdom had a good trade system in ancient times. Magadha was the rival kingdom situated near the Anga kingdom. Both the neighbors were separated by the river Champa. In the 6th century BCE, Magadha added or captured Anga to its territory.
What was the Capital of Anga?
According to the Anga kingdom map, the capital of Anga was Champa. Champa was one of the places during the 6th century BCE. Before Champa was gifted to Karna by Jarasandha, the place was known as Malinipuri. After Karna became the ruler, he changed the name of the place to Champa.
After that, Anga was under the rule of Magadha. Anga Mahajanapada was a well-known state ruled by several rulers. Now, the Anga kingdom is situated in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Anga was ruled by rulers that belonged to non-Vedic houses. The descendants of king Vali ruled the Anga Kingdom.
In Atharva Veda and Puranas, the king’s list of Anga is mentioned. The Anga kingdom is mentioned in Mahabharat for several reasons.
Significance of Anga
The significance of the Anga kingdom is huge in Mahabharata and Ramayana. In both Ramayana and Mahabharata, several incidents increased the popularity of the Anga Kingdom. According to Ramayana texts, the Anga kingdom was a place where Kamadeva was put to death by Lord Shiva. In the Anga kingdom, all the body parts (Angas) of Kamadeva were separated at that place.
The Anga kingdom was one of the most important places in Mahabharata. In Mahabharata, the role of Karna was popular for his loyalty towards his friend Duryodhana. The Anga Kingdom was gifted to Duryodhana by his father (Dhritarashtra). During an event between Duryodhana and Pandavas, Karna was criticized for not being the king of any state or nation.
The power and strength of Karna impressed Duryodhana in various ways. To have Karna in his team, Duryodhana made Karna the king of Anga. After that, Karna was the ruler and king of Anga for decades. There was a time when Karna decided to give away his ruling powers and kingdom.
Later Developments in Mahabharata
After some time, Karna got back to his king position to get involved in the fight for his friend. Karna was known as Anga Raj for being the ruler of Karna. During his ruling period, Karna made different attempts to protect his territory and people.
Karna was one of the most powerful kings of Anga. Therefore, it was impossible to annex Anga by any other kingdom or kings. The rivalry of Karna with Pandavas due to his friend Duryodhana resulted in the death of Karna by his brother Arjuna. Karna was the first son of Mata Kunti (the mother of Pandavas).
Before Karna started his rule in the Anga kingdom, the land was unproductive and captured by Daityas. Karna had to grapple with the Daityas to make a productive land and territory. After Karna won the fight with Daityas with his Vajrastra, Karna converted the whole unproductive land into productive and agricultural land.
After Karna started his ruling, he captured many other places and kingdoms under Anga.
The Rule of Angaraj
During the ruling of Angaraj, there were many rivalries between the ruler and his neighbouring kingdoms. The ruler of Anga had captured Magadha and added it to the territory of Magadha.
The success of the ruler was for a very short period. Brahmadatta was killed by the prince of Magadha (Bimbisara) during the middle period of the 6th century. After the death of Bramhadatta, the Magadha prince successfully captured the last free ruler of Anga.
Champa was captured by the ruler of Magadha after the ruler of Anga. Anga was one of the most important and integral parts of the developing Magadha.
Now, the territory of Anga is covered by the Bihar state in India. Anga is linked with his ruler Karna and gets remembered by people.
Conclusion
The Anga kingdom was near the Magadhas. The rivalry between Magadha and Anga was more as these two were close to each other. Anga was ruled by various rulers, but one of the prominent rulers was Karna.
Karna was one of the brave fighters in the Kurukshetra war between Kauravas and Pandavas. After the independent ruler of Anga was captured, Anga was under the control of the Magadha rulers.
