Haryanka dynasty originally was founded in 566 BC by the grandfather of Bimbisara, but the actual foundation of the Magadhan Empire was laid by Bimbisara and Ajatashtru who annexed neighboring territories and established it as the center of political activity in north India.
Its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra. The Puranas give lists of Magadhan kings, starting with Brihadratha. This dynasty came to an end in the 6th cnetiry BC, making way for the Haryankas.
Bimbisara (542-493 BC) was the first important king of Magadha who converted the Magadha Kingdom into an empire. He conquered Anga to gain control over trade routes in the Ganges delta.
By the 7th center BC Magadha was becoming the most powerful kingdom. Magadha emerged as the center for the development of new ideas.
Magadha played an important role on the development of Jainism and Buddhism and two of India’s greatest empires, the Maura Empire and Gupta Empire, originated from Magadha. These empires saw advancement s in ancient India’s scone, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy and were considered the Indian ‘Golden Age’.
The Sisunaga dynasty continued to rule the kingdom till 413 BC. In this year the reigning emperor of the Sisunaga Dynasty was Mahananda. He was killed by Nanda. Nanda usurped the throne and founded the Nanda Dynasty. Nanda Dynasty ruled over the Empire of Magadha up to 322 BC.
The last Nanda king was deposed by Chandragupta, who founded the Maura Dynasty.
Ancient Magadha kingdom
