Haryanka dynasty | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 544 BCE–413 BCE | |||||||||||||
.jpg')) The approximate extent of the Haryanka dynasty between the 6th and 5th century BCE. | |||||||||||||
| Capital | Rajagriha later Pataliputra | ||||||||||||
| Common languages | Sanskrit Magadhi Prakrit Other Prakrits | ||||||||||||
| Religion | Jainism Buddhism Hinduism[1] | ||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||
• 544-492 BCE | Bimbisara | ||||||||||||
• 492-460 BCE | Ajatashatru | ||||||||||||
• 460-444 BCE | Udayin | ||||||||||||
• 444-440 BCE | Anuruddha | ||||||||||||
• 440-437 BCE | Munda | ||||||||||||
• 437-413 BCE | Nāgadāsaka | ||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||
• Established | 544 BCE | ||||||||||||
• Disestablished | 413 BCE | ||||||||||||
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| Today part of | India | ||||||||||||
The Haryanka dynasty is believed to have been the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India, which succeeded the mythological Barhadratha dynasty. Initially, the capital was Rajagriha. Later, it was shifted to Pataliputra, near the present-day Patna in India during the reign of Udayin. Thus Bimbisara is considered as the main founder of the dynasty.
According to the Buddhist text, the Mahavamsa, Bimbisara was appointed king by his father, Bhattiya, at the age of fifteen.[2]
This dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty.
Governance
The governance structure of Haryanka dynasty is mentioned in Buddhist texts. They mention gramakas (village headmen) who headed village assemblies and mahamatras (high-ranking officials) who had executive, judicial and military functions.[3]
Rulers
Bimbisara
_at_Rajagriha,_the_visit_of_Bimbisara.jpg'))
Bimbisara reigned from 545-493 BCE. The extent of his kingdom is mentioned in Mahavagga. His advisors included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jīvaka (physician). He was given the title of Seniya.[3]
Both Jain and Buddhist texts claim the king was a follower of their respective religions. Uttaradhyayana Sutra says he was a follower of Mahavira, whereas Sutta Nipata depicts him and his wife, Khema, as followers of Buddha. The latter further mentions he deputed Jīvaka to assist Buddha's Sangha.[3] He also married Chellana and Kosala Devi, sister of Pasenadi.[4]
According to George Turnour and N.L. Dey, the name of the father of Bimbisara was Bhatiya or Bhattiya, but the Puranas refer him as Hemajit, Kshemajit, Kshetroja or Ksetrauja and the Tibetan texts mention him as Mahapadma.[5]
Ajatashatru
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Ajatashatru reigned from 493-462 BCE.[3] He married Vajira, Kosala's princess.[6]
In some sources, Bimbisara was imprisoned and killed by his son and successor, Ajatashatru, under whose rule the dynasty reached its largest extent. Ajatashatru was contemporary with Mahavira (599–527 BCE) and Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE). Ajatashatru fought a war against Vajji, ruled by the Lichhavis, and conquered the republic of Vaisali.[6]
Udayin
Udayin or Udayabhadra is mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts as the successor of Ajatashatru. Puranas however mention him as the fourth king after Darshaka.[7]
Later rulers
Puranas mention Nandivardhana and Mahanandin as successors of Udayin. According to Buddhist tradition, Anurudhha, Munda and Nagadarshaka were his successors.[7]
Decline
Haryanka dynasty was ultimately overthrown out of power by their Amatya (minister), Shishunaga.[7]
See also
- Magadha-Vajji war
- Pradyota dynasty
- Avanti-Magadhan Wars
References
Citations
- ^ Rao 2012, p. 92.
- ^ Raychaudhuri 1972, pp. 97
- ^ a b c d Upinder Singh 2016, p. 270.
- ^ Upinder Singh 2016, pp. 270-271.
- ^ Raychaudhuri 1972, p. 105ff
- ^ a b Upinder Singh 2016, p. 271.
- ^ a b c Upinder Singh 2016, p. 273.
Sources
- Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972), Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta
- Bhargava, P.L., The origins of the Nanda (PDF)
- Singh, Upinder (2016), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, Pearson, ISBN 978-81-317-1677-9
- Rao, B .V. (2012), World history from early times to A D 2000, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, ISBN 9788120731882
| Preceded by Pradyota dynasty | Haryanka dynasty middle of 6th century –425 BCE | Succeeded by Shishunaga dynasty |