Udayin and the Rise of Dynastic Bloodshed and Treachery

After murdering his own father, Udayin, also known as, Udayabhadra ascends to the throne of the Magadha empire. This is a story set during the time of the Indian subcontinent's second urbanisation, which occurred amid conquest and bloodshed.

Sculpture of Udayin; Image source: Historikus

Once upon a time, along the banks of the Ganga, there was an empire that etched its name in Indian history. The Magadha empire flourished as a result of its strategic location, the abundance of natural resources and thoughtful politics, becoming the centre of power in the Indian subcontinent from 600 BCE to 400 BCE under the Haryanka dynasty.

While the Harappan civilization which started around 3300 BCE arose as a result of urbanisation in the western part of the Indian subcontinent, the Magadha Empire which began in 682 BCE established itself on the subcontinent's eastern flank during the subcontinent’s second urbanisation. Consolidation of the Magadha empire began during the reign of Bimbisara, a member of the Haryanka dynasty. He combined the adjoining regions known as mahajanapadas through annexation and matrimonial alliances.

After ruling for 52 years, Bimbisara was assassinated by his son, Ajatashatru, who then took over the throne. During his reign, the Magadha Empire reached its pinnacle. However, it was only a matter of time before Udayin, Ajatashatru's son, captured the empire after killing his father. Perhaps the Magadha empire's politics was tainted with patricide. Udayin was also a principal Vajir in his father's court.

Udayin, also known as Udayabhadra, is said to have reigned from 460 BCE to 444 BCE. During his early reign, the Magadha empire flourished like never before. The economy was thriving and agriculture was flourishing on the fertile Gangetic plains. The empire stretched from the Himalayas in the north to the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the south. The society's unconventional nature stood in stark contrast to the earlier era of Vedic times. Brahmanism lost its appeal to the much popular Buddhism and Jainism. Because of his frequent fasting, Jaina texts describe Udayin as a devoted Jaina. However, Buddhist texts identify him as a Buddhist.

Udayin is also credited with relocating the Magadha empire's capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra. The reason for the capital's relocation was due to the latter's central location. While Rajgir was fortified and strategically located, Pataliputra was surrounded on all sides by rivers, making it an ideal location for transportation and agricultural activities. Udayin is credited in Puranic texts with developing and nurturing the city of Pataliputra. In Pataliputra, he also built a fort at the confluence of the Ganga and Son rivers.

Avanti's kingdom was one of Udayin's most powerful adversaries. He had defeated Avanti's king, Palaka, several times. According to Jaina texts, the bitter rivalry between Magadha and Avanti continued even after the death of Udayin in 444 BCE, when the latter killed Udayin.

The defeat of Udayin at the hands of the Avanti kingdom signalled the beginning of the end of the Haryanka dynasty. Three kings are said to have succeeded Udayin: Aniruddha, Manda, and Nagadasaka. Their reign was brief and history was about to hand over power to another dynasty.

Many successors of Udayin also engaged in patricides and were later overthrown by the people of Magadha due to their cruel nature. Magadha then witnessed the birth of another historical dynasty, the Sisuganga dynasty.

India's political history is marked by constant conquest and wars for power and dominance. The reign of Udayin was no exception. Udayin's thirst for power and consolidation, like his father's, prioritised his kingship over his family, leading to bloodshed becoming commonplace in the Haryanka dynasty.Though marked by blood, his reign was an important and irreplaceable one in the history of the Magadha empire.