discuss the process of transition from territorial states to empire in the age of the Buddha.
Answers
in the 6th century B.C during the age of Buddha, there were sixteen mahajanapadas or big territorial units. Among them, Magadha, Koshala, Vatsa, and Avanti were more powerful.
Magadha under its ambitious rulers like Bimbsara and his son Ajatshatru of Haryanka Dynasty defeated the neighbouring mahajanapadas and thus we see Magadha emerged as a great empire which ruled over a large part of India. Bimbsara brought Avanti and Kashi to his empire through conquest and marriage alliance respectively. Ajatshatru annexed Vaishali and reconquered Kashi to the Magadha and thus Magadha emerged an empire.
The causes of rise of Magadha as an empire are as :
1. strategic location of its capitals-Rajgriha and Patliputra.
2. Abundance of iron and agricultural surplus.
3. Sophisticated weapons and war elephants.
4. Ambitious rulers.