Mahajanapada

Magadha (Rajagriha)

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Overview

Magadha, in south Bihar, was the most powerful of the sixteen mahajanapadas listed in Buddhist and Jain texts. Its capital was Rajagriha (Girivraja), later moved to Pataliputra.

It grew strongest because of iron ore nearby (Chota Nagpur), fertile Ganga soil, rivers for transport, elephants in its forests and ambitious rulers of the Haryanka (Bimbisara, Ajatashatru), Shishunaga and Nanda dynasties. Around 321 BCE Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya, overthrew the Nandas of Magadha.

Geography and key facts

  • Capital: Rajagriha (Girivraja), later Pataliputra
  • Region: south Bihar
  • Dynasties: Haryanka, Shishunaga, Nanda, then Maurya
  • Strengths: iron, fertile soil, rivers, elephants

Why it matters for UPSC

Asked on kingdoms linked with the life of the Buddha (2015, 2014), a mahajanapada map question (1997) and the period after the Guptas (2021).

Note for UPSC

Most powerful mahajanapada; capital later moved to Pataliputra.

Mahajanapadas are asked with their capitals and present-day regions; positions are approximate.

Asked in PYQs

  • UPSC Prelims 2021 · Q34From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? Select the…
  • UPSC Prelims 2015 · Q39Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? Select the correct answer using the code given below.…
  • UPSC Prelims 2014 · Q25Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? Select the correct answer using the code given below.…
  • UPSC Prelims 1997 · Q85The following map shows four of the sixteen mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India. The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are…

Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Magadha (Rajagriha).

Key facts

Type
Mahajanapada
State / UT
Bihar
Coordinates
25.030°N, 85.420°E
Asked in Prelims
4 questions · 2021, 2015, 2014, 1997

From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.

In the lessons

More mahajanapadas (approx.) nearby

Vajji (Vaishali)Mahajanapada · BiharAnga (Champa)Mahajanapada · Bihar1 PYQMalla (Kushinara)Mahajanapada · Uttar PradeshKashi (Varanasi)Mahajanapada · Uttar Pradesh1 PYQVatsa (Kaushambi)Mahajanapada · Uttar Pradesh1 PYQKosala (Shravasti)Mahajanapada · Uttar Pradesh4 PYQ

Other places in Bihar

GangaRiver · Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh11 PYQChamparan (1917)Freedom-struggle site · Bihar8 PYQGandakRiver · Bihar, Uttar Pradesh3 PYQKosiRiver · Bihar2 PYQGhagharaRiver · Uttar Pradesh, Bihar2 PYQRajgirBuddhist site · Bihar1 PYQ

All mahajanapadas (approx.) · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs