Political History of Mahajanapadas

Mahajanapadas

• Polity : Two types of Polity - Oligarchy ( Gana and Sangha) and Monarchy ( Kingdoms)

• Names of Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara and Avanti occur frequently.

• Vajji, Malla and Vaishali were Oligarchic Republic and Magadha, Avanti, Kuru, Panchal were Monarchies.

• Mahavira belonged to Vaishali and Buddha Belonged to Shakya.

• From 600 BCE - Dhasmasutras or law books were composed. Norms were laid down for rulers and other social classes.

• Rulers were advised to collect taxes from cultivators, Traders and Artisans. They also received gifts from Forrest folks, tribes and pastoralists.

• Raids on neighboring areas was considered legitimate way to acquire wealth.

• Some States maintained "Standing Armies" and Regular Bureaucracy.

• Mostly other states were dependent on militia recruited from peasantry.

• Law : From the c. sixth century BCE onwards, Brahmanas composed Sanskrit texts known as the Dharmasutras, which laid down norms for rulers.