Question

Find out about some other Mahajanapadas which existed in the later Vedic Period along with the rulers who ruled there.

Answer 1

The Mahajanapadas'great realm', from maha, "great", and janapada "foothold of a tribe, country") were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE. Two of them were most probably ganatantras (republics) and others had forms of monarchy. Ancient Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya[1] make frequent reference to sixteen great kingdoms and republics which had evolved and flourished in a belt stretching from Gandhara in the northwest to Anga in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent and included parts of the trans-Vindhyan region,[2] prior to the rise of Buddhism in India.[3]

The 6th–5th century BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian history; it saw the emergence of India's first large cities after the demise of the Indus Valley Civilization, as well as the rise of sramana movements (including Buddhism and Jainism) which challenged the religious orthodoxy of the Vedic Period.

Answer 2

Explanation:

• Mahajanapadas used to call state or administrative units in ancient India. In Uttar Vaidik period, some districts are mentioned.
• They have been mentioned many times in Buddhist texts. There were sixteen Mahajanpada in the post vedic period.

The sixteen Mahajanapadas of India are mentioned earlier than the 6th century BC. These were Mahajanapadas –  

1. Gandhara,
2. Kamboj
3. Kuru
4. Pancha
5. Koshal: Awadh; Capital Saket and Shravasti  
6. Shurasen: area around Mathura; Capital Mathura
7. Kashi: Varanasi; Capital Varanasi  
8. Magadha: South Bihar, capital Girviraj (modern Rajagraj)
9. Watsy:  Prayag (Allahabad) and around it; Capital Kausambi
10. Ang: Bhagalpur; Raja Champa
11. Matsy: Jaipur; Capital city of Virat
12. Wajji: District Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur; Capital Mithila, Janakpuri and Vaishali
13. Mal: District Deoria; Capital Kushinagar and Pava (Modern Pedrauna)
14. Chedia: Bundelkhand; Capital Shamatmati (near present Banda)
15. Avanti: Malwa; Capital Ujjayini
16. Ashmak: Godavari Valley; Capital Pundanya