Mahajanapadas

Mahajanapadas The Later Vedic period ( – BCE) witnessed the transition from a tribal polity based on lineage to a territorial state. The janas who migrated eastwards began to settle down in various regions. The loyalty of the people shifted from jana (tribe or clan) to janapada (territory). Janapada literally meant ‘the place where the tribe sets its foot upon.’ The janapadas fought with one another for resources and political dominance. Some janapadas extended their territories and brought various janas within their jurisdiction . Such janapadas grew into mahajanapadas. Territory, people, government and sovereignty are important elements of a state. All these elements were found in some of the mahajanapadas. The mahajanapadas XI History - Lesson - - Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects represented the emergence of territorial kingdoms that ruled over people ( jana ) . The king headed the government aided by a centralised administration. The king was also the sovereign ruler. The king levied taxes out of agricultural surplus and redistributed it and ensured maintenance of law and order in a hierarchical society by force and coercion. These features marked the formation of state in the Gangetic plains. Sixteen Mahajanapadas According to Puranic , Buddhist and Jaina traditions, there were sixteen mahajanapadas . . Gandhara . Kamboja . Asmaka (Assaka) . Vatsa . Avanti . Shurasena . Chedi . Malla . Kuru . Panchala . Matsya . Vajji (Vrijji) . Anga . Kasi . Kosala . Magadha The mahajanapadas are classified as gana - sanghas and chiefdoms based on the nature of their polity. Gana-Sanghas The proto-states of the Gangetic region were known as janapadas and comprised chiefdoms, republics and small kingdoms. Sixteen mahajanapada s find mention in the early texts. There were also gana-sanghas or oligarchies, which were centred on clans. The Vrijjis were one of the best known of the gana-sanghas , and Vaishali was their capital in the Mithila region. These kingdoms did not come under the single decision-making authority of a king but decisions were taken on a collective basis by the heads of the different clans together.