The Earliest States

The Sixteen Mahajanapadas

The sixth century BCE marked a significant period in early Indian history, characterized by the emergence of states, cities, the widespread use of iron, and the development of coinage. It was also a time of diverse philosophical thought, including the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. Early Buddhist and Jaina texts mention sixteen states known as mahajanapadas, with names like Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, and Avanti being prominent.

While most mahajanapadas were ruled by kings, some were governed as oligarchies known as ganas or sanghas, where power was shared among several individuals called rajas. Both Mahavira and the Buddha belonged to such ganas. Some of these states, like the Vajji sangha, possibly had collective control over resources such as land and endured for nearly a millennium.

Each mahajanapada had a fortified capital city, and maintaining these cities and supporting nascent armies and bureaucracies required resources. From around the sixth century BCE onwards, Brahmanas composed Sanskrit texts known as the Dharmasutras, which laid down norms for rulers, ideally expected to be Kshatriyas. Rulers were advised to collect taxes and tribute from various sectors of society, including cultivators, traders, and artisans. While it’s unclear if resources were also obtained from pastoralists and forest-dwelling communities, raids on neighboring states were considered a legitimate means of acquiring wealth. Over time, some states developed standing armies and regular bureaucracies, while others relied on militias recruited from the peasantry.

Earliest States and Mahajanapadas is a subpart of the Class 12 History Chapter 2 “Kings, Farmers and Towns”. It gives us a detailed view of the Earliest States and Mahajanapadas of ancient India. The Mahajapadas were the early states of India. There were first 16 states were located in the north and east sides of India.

In this article, we are going to discuss the subparts Earliest States and Mahajanapadas of the Class 12 History Chapter 2 “Kings, Farmers and Towns” in detail.