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Two kingdoms with similar interests and equal military might be constantly at odds until one of them triumphed and inscribed its name in the annals of time.
Stories from the Magadha empire
Conquest for power has always resulted in wars throughout history. The desire to protect one's sovereignty and territory while also expanding it has frequently led kingdoms to fight each other. The Indian subcontinent has always been a hotbed of power struggles. It has given birth to vast kingdoms and empires while also witnessing their demise.
One such empire, located on the eastern side of the subcontinent, was expanding its scope and horizons. The empire in question was the Magadha empire, which had been establishing itself as a major power since 600 BCE. Magadha, surrounded by hills and rivers, has always had a geographical advantage over its neighbours. However, its desire to gain the territorial grip of surrounding regions led to several conflicts. Magadha was bound on the north by Vrji, to the northwest by Kosala and Kasi and to the southwest by Avanti.
The Magadha empire began to expand significantly during the reign of Bimbisara, the first ruler of the Haryanka dynasty. He made alliances with neighbouring kingdoms through annexation and matrimonial alliances. For example, he married the princess of Kosala to improve relations between the two kingdoms. Meanwhile, he fortified his eastern border by annexing Anga.
The kingdom of Avanti was the major adversary of the Magadha empire throughout the Haryanka dynasty. Both kingdoms were constantly at odds over establishing their supremacy in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent.
Avanti's territory included the modern-day Malwa region of western-central India. The Vindhyas range divided the kingdom into north and south. Bimbisara, a capable ruler, pursued an expansionist policy towards the kingdom of Avanti. He was aware of Avanti's formidable military and strategy but chose to maintain cordial relations with them. When Pradyota, king of Avanti, was ill with jaundice, Bimbisara dispatched one of his best physicians, Jivaka, to treat him. As a result of Bimbisara's defensive and cordial strategy, the conflict between Magadha and Avanti was quelled during his reign.
After Bimbisara, his son Ajatashatru was seated on the throne of the Magadha empire. Ajatashatru was a ferocious king who conquered Kosala and Vaishali. His aggressive strategy led to a conflict with Avanti's ruler, Pradyota. In the Puranas, Pradyota is known as 'Chanda,' which means cruel. After defeating the Vatsas of Kaushambi, Pradyota threatened to invade Magadha. Ajatashatru knew that the war with Avanti would cost him a lot of resources and possibly his kingdom. He then adopted a defensive strategy and began fortifying Rajgir, Magadha's capital city. This was done to create a secure border in case the king of Avanti attacked, but there is no record of any war between them during his reign.
It's worth noting that Ajatashatru means "the one without enemies." Perhaps Ajatashatru's goal was to create a kingdom without enemies.
Ajatashatru's son was Udayin, who after killing his father, inherited the kingdom of Magadha. Udayin's relationship with Avanti was strained. His adversary was Palaka, Pradyota's son. Udayin is said to have defeated Palaka several times before being killed by him.
During and after Udayin's reign, the rivalry between Magadha and Avanti intensified. The two kingdoms were constantly involved in military manoeuvres. All of this changed during the reign of the Shishunaga dynasty, which succeeded the Haryankas as the ruler of the Magadha empire.
Sishuganga, the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty, continued with the forward expansionist policy of the Magadha empire. His most significant achievement was defeating the kingdom of Avanti. The kingdom of Avanti was then at last absorbed into the Magadha empire.
Taking over the kingdom of Avanti was a significant step forward in the Magadha empire's expansion. It aided Magadha in securing its western frontier and leveraging Avanti's vast resources. The conflict between Magadha and Avanti lasted nearly 100 years, demonstrating both sides' equal militaristic capabilities and well-thought-out strategies. However, Magadha emerged victorious and paved the way to leave its mark as the most powerful kingdom in the Indian subcontinent in the coming years.
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