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UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » Ancient History » Avanti

Avanti

The Avanti was one of the most powerful ancient Indian Mahajanapada. If you want to know about it in detail, including its history, then you can know it here.

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The Avanti was an ancient Indian Mahajanapada. It was approximately compared to the present-day Malwa region. This was one of the most powerful Mahajanapada of the sixth century BC. Also, it was thoroughly comparable to the Ujjain region. It was a joint part of the Narmada valley from Mandhata to Maheshvara.  Apart from this, the Janpada also was separated into two parts by the Vindhyas. One part belonged to the northern part that was exhausted by the Shipra having its capital Ujjain, and another part was the southern part. It has its center from Mandhata to Maheshvara. Also, Avanti was the most famous solasa mahajanapadas. You can find more information like the meaning, the history of Avanti, and more in-depth information from here. 

Avanti

  • Avanti in the territory of the present Madhya Pradesh state, was the most powerful kingdom of ancient India
  • Another fact about this is that the Avanti area was the most popular part of the historical province of Malwa
  • The country of this state is approximately matched to modern Nimar, Malwa, and connecting parts of Madhya Pradesh
  • Roughly 600 BCE, Avanti was the only state whose capital was Mahishmati; it may have been the modern Gadarpur on the Narmada River
  • However, it was soon transferred to the city of Ujjayini, which was about present-day Ujjain
  • The Avanti kingdom was located on the overland trade routes between southern and northern India
  • This was on the Arabian Sea’s main port of Barkachha, which was known as a modern Bharuch

History of Avanti Kingdom

  • The Mahajanapadas were related to Buddhist literature, including more than 16 Mahajanapadas
  • Some Janpadas evolved more crucially than others, and they are named Mahajanapadas. Following are the things that are special about it that are such;
  • The first and most crucial thing is that most of the Mahajanapadas had a capital city. As you know, there were 16 Mahajanapadas with different capitals, out of which one was Avanti Mahajanapadasa
  • The Avanti Mahajanapadas were Ujjain, another was Chedi, whose capital was Suktimati, and another was Magadha, whose capital was Patliputra, etc. There were 16 Mahajanapadas, and these all had their own capital. Most of these cities were fortified
  • You know very well that the Avanti was the most powerful and ancient kingdom of India. It was located in the region of the present Madhya Pradesh state. The province was for a time part of the ancient historical region of Malwa. In approximately 600 BCE, the Mahishmati was the capital of Avanti, and it was most presumably relevant to the modern Godarpura on the River of the Narmada. Soon it was transferred to the capital of Ujjayini
  • Pradyota the Fierce was the king of Avanti. It was established in the 4th century BCE. The Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta included Avanti in his kingdom
  • Apart from this, the present name was the Avanti Malwa region

Avanti Meaning

  • The Avanti meaning is  forward and comes in, and it comes from Late Latin abate
  • It was one of the most amazing and powerful Mahajanapadas that was relevant to the sixth century BC Kingdom
  • It was similar to the present-day Malwa region or Ujjain region
  • It was a part of the Narmada Valley through the Mandhata to Maheshvara
  • The Vindhyas divided Avanti into two parts one was northern, and another was southern. Both had separate capital
  • The southern part is at the center of Mahishmati or Mahisatti. Moreover, the capital was the northern part of Ujjain

Avanti Kingdom

  • The Avanti kingdom belongs to the sixth century BC. It was one Mahajanapadas from out of 16 Mahajanapadas
  • All the 16 Mahajanapadas had their own capital. From which the Avanti capital was Ujjain
  • This was a kingdom that was roughly linked or corresponded to the Malwa region or Ujjain region
  • This region also included some other cities such as Makkarakata and Sudarshanpura, and another was Kuraragara
  • Apart from this, the Puranas feature the Avanti foundation of one of the best clans that were Yadus. It is essentially known as a Haihaya
  • It was classified into the five categories: Bhojas, Avantis, Talajanghas, Tundikeras, Vitihotras, and the last one was Kundikeras
  • However, in the 4th century, the BC Avanti had become a part of the Magadha Empire 

Conclusion

Thus, this is the information given about the Avanti kingdom. This is the most powerful kingdom of old times, which is now located in Ujjain, the city of Madhya Pradesh. The Ujjayini was the ancient Indian Mahajanapada capital of the Avanti kingdom. It was situated around the sixth century BC. This historical Avanti kingdom was defined in the Mahabharata epic. The Vetravati river was classified as the Avanti into two parts one was north, and another was south.  The Southern Avanti capital was Mahishmati. Also, the northern Avanti capital was Ujjaini. If you would like to know about the Avati meaning and about its history and other relevant facts, then you should receive all the info from above.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

In which state is Avanti located?

 It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Avanti, which was a very ancie...Read full

Give the name of the Avanti kingdom?

The names were Avanti Kings, Anuvinda and Vinda. It was also known as the Kurukshetra War kings. There were two king...Read full

Which city is currently known as Avanti?

​Ujjain is a city known as Avanti. It is located in Madhya Pradesh state. This city is the 5th biggest city in Mad...Read full

Give the state name where the Mahishmati is located?

It is located in Madhya Pradesh. 

 

Who was the king of the Magadha?

Bimbisara was the king of Magadha. 

 It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Avanti, which was a very ancient state kingdom, is now located in the Madhya Pradesh of India. It was a part of the historical region of Malwa. Near 600 BCE, the capital of Avanti was Mahishmati. But soon, it was changed to Ujjain.

The names were Avanti Kings, Anuvinda and Vinda. It was also known as the Kurukshetra War kings. There were two kings in the Avanti kingdom of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

 

​Ujjain is a city known as Avanti. It is located in Madhya Pradesh state. This city is the 5th biggest city in Madhya Pradesh which is loaded by population. 

It is located in Madhya Pradesh. 

 

Bimbisara was the king of Magadha. 

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