ANCIENT HISTORY - TABLES ,TERMS ,PEOPLE ,MAPS
QUICK CHRONOLOGY
The Magadha Kingdom was one of the most powerful states in ancient India. It saw the rise and fall of several dynasties, shaping Indian history. Below is a family tree representation of the major ruling dynasties of Magadha:
1. Haryanka Dynasty (544 BCE – 413 BCE)
- Bimbisara (544–492 BCE) → Expanded Magadha, contemporary of Buddha.
- Ajatashatru (492–460 BCE) → Killed his father, expanded empire, introduced war machines.
- Udayin (460–440 BCE) → Established Pataliputra as the capital.
- Successors (Anuruddha, Munda, Nagadasaka) were weak rulers.
- Udayin (460–440 BCE) → Established Pataliputra as the capital.
- Ajatashatru (492–460 BCE) → Killed his father, expanded empire, introduced war machines.
End of Haryanka Dynasty: Overthrown by the Shishunaga Dynasty.
2. Shishunaga Dynasty (413 BCE – 345 BCE)
- Shishunaga (413–395 BCE) → Defeated the Avanti Kingdom.
- Kalashoka (395–367 BCE) → Presided over the Second Buddhist Council.
- Successors (unknown names) ruled briefly.
- Kalashoka (395–367 BCE) → Presided over the Second Buddhist Council.
End of Shishunaga Dynasty: Overthrown by Mahapadma Nanda.
3. Nanda Dynasty (345 BCE – 321 BCE)
- Mahapadma Nanda (345–329 BCE) → Known as Ekrat, expanded Magadha to its greatest extent.
- Dhana Nanda (329–321 BCE) → Last ruler, known for extreme taxation.
End of Nanda Dynasty: Overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya.
4. Maurya Dynasty (321 BCE – 185 BCE)
- Chandragupta Maurya (321–297 BCE) → Founded the Mauryan Empire, defeated Seleucus I.
- Bindusara (297–273 BCE) → Consolidated empire, father of Ashoka.
- Ashoka the Great (273–232 BCE) → Expanded the empire, embraced Buddhism after Kalinga War.
- Successors (Dasharatha, Samprati, etc.) were weak.
- Ashoka the Great (273–232 BCE) → Expanded the empire, embraced Buddhism after Kalinga War.
- Bindusara (297–273 BCE) → Consolidated empire, father of Ashoka.
End of Maurya Dynasty: Overthrown by Pushyamitra Shunga.
5. Shunga Dynasty (185 BCE – 73 BCE)
- Pushyamitra Shunga (185–149 BCE) → Former Mauryan general, revived Hindu traditions.
- Agnimitra (149–141 BCE) → Patron of Sanskrit literature.
- Successors were weak rulers.
- Agnimitra (149–141 BCE) → Patron of Sanskrit literature.
End of Shunga Dynasty: Replaced by the Kanvas.
6. Kanva Dynasty (73 BCE – 30 BCE)
- Vasudeva Kanva (73–64 BCE) → A former minister of the Shungas.
- Successors (Bhumimitra, Narayana, Susharman) ruled briefly.
End of Kanva Dynasty: Defeated by the Satavahanas.
Significance of Magadha Dynasties
- Magadha played a crucial role in Indian history, giving rise to the first major empire (Mauryas).
- It was the center of early Buddhism and Jainism.
- The political and administrative systems developed here influenced later Indian rulers.
Would you like a graphical representation of the family tree?
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