Question

What are the sources of intormation for the period when the janapadas and mahajanpadas flourished ?

Answer 1

As per the Vedic texts Aryan tribes were known as the Janas, which were the largest social units. The term janapada composed of janas means “people” or “subject” and pada “foot”. Janapada's were the earliest gathering places of men, merchants, artisans and craftsmen akin to marketplace or town surrounded by hamlets and villages. Later, Janapadas became the major realms republics or kingdoms of Vedic India. A janapadin was the ruler of a janapada. Ancient Sanskrit texts like Ashtadhyayi, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and numerous Puranas refer to many Janapadas of ancient times. The Indian subcontinent was divided into the Janapadas with clear demarcated boundaries. The vedic literature describes the nine janapadas besides such people as the Andhras, Pulindas, Sabaras and Pundaras. However, by the time of sixth century B.C. Panini mentions as many as 22 different janapadas out of which Magadha, Avanti, Kosala and Vatsa were considered very important.

Mahajanapadas

The Sixth century BC onwards, the widespread use of iron in eastern UP and western Bihar created conditions for formation of large territorial states. With these developments janpadas became more powerful and turned into mahajanpadas. There were 16 mahajanpadas during 600 BC to 300 B.C. which are mentioned in early Buddhist and Jain literature, those were as follows-

Anga: Anga was one of the earliest of all Mahajanpadas. This was around the Gangetic plains. This state was known by various names in the Atharva Veda. The Anga included the modern districts of Monghyr and Bhagalpur in Bihar with its capital at Champa.

Magadha: Magadha was a powerful kingdom and was run by Bimbisara and Ajatshatru. It covered the modern districts of Patna, Gaya, and parts of Shahabad with its earlier capital at Rajgriha and later at Patliputra. As per the Vedas Magadha was the 'semi Brahman' state.

Vajji: The Vajjians or Virijis included eight confederated clans of whom the Vajjis were most important. Vajji was also very important in Buddha period, for famous dancer Amrapali. It was situated north of the river Ganga in Bihar with capital at Vaishali.