16th Mahajanapad period: 600 BC Of India

The Mahajanapada period was called the state or administrative units in ancient India. Some districts are mentioned in Uttar Vaidik period. They have been mentioned several times in Buddhist texts also.

The Mahajanapadas period have also been known by many other names such as the Sutrakal / Buddha era / the beginning of second urbanization.

Archaeological and literary sources both have an important place to know about the Mahajanapadas period-

Archaeological sources-

• NBPW ( Northern Black Polished Mrdabhaand )
• Aahat Coins / Punchmark Coins – The old coin of the second century B.C. have been found almost 500 B.C. The ancient currency and currency system prevailing in India started. Aahat coins of silver were the most in the beginning, copper and bronze coins have also been received.

Aahat coins were made by the seal of special marking on metal pieces. Aahat coins also contain remnants of symbols such as fish, pails, peacocks, yajnas altar, elephants, conch shells, bullocks, geometric figures (circle, quadrilateral, triangle), rabbits.

There was no regular shape of these coins. They are not believed to have been issued by king but are believed to belong to trading groups.

Most Aahat coins have been found from Eastern UP (Allahabad, Shahpura) and Bihar (Magadha).

• Kharvel’s Elephant caves inscription – (1st century BC)

Literary Sources –

I. Country Literature II. Foreign Literature

I. Country literature –

• Buddhism – Suttapitak, Vinaypitak, AngutarNikay, Mahavastu
• Jainism – Bhagwati Sootra, Kalp Sootra,Awshaiyan, Awppadik Sootra, Agam, Required Cuarni
• Brahmin – Vedanga (Education, Grammar, Astrology, Nirukta, Kalpa, Verses), Mythology.

II. Foreign Literature –

• Historica of Herodotus
• Geography of Hiketius
• Description of Nyarkus
• Details of Unacecretees – Biography of Alexander
• Details of Cassius

All the above scholars were contemporaries of Sikandar.

Description of Plutarch, Justin, Curtius. All these scholars had come after Sikandar, but they also gave details of Sikandar.

Mahajanapad Period-

There are 16 Mahajanapadas. 15 Mahajanapadas are situated in the north of Narmada. 16th Mahajanapad Assak / Ashmak is situated on the bank of river Godavari. Second urbanization started due to Mahajanapadas.

Angutar Nikay , Mahavastu (Buddhist texts), Bhagwati Sutra (Jain texts), both religious texts mention 16 Mahajanapadas.

Angutar Nikay mentions Gandhara and Kamboj.

In Mahavastu, the Mahajanapadas named Sibi, Darshan, have been mentioned.

Angutar Nikay of Buddhist texts mentioned the first and certified 16 Mahajanapadas.

16 Mahajanapadas-

1. Kashi
2. Kossal
3. Anga
4. Vats
5. Mall
6. Vajji
7. Surshen (Mathura)
8. Kuru (Delhi, Haryana)
9. Chedi (Bundelkhand)
10. Ashmak (M.P.)
11. Panchal (U.P.)
12. Camboz (Pak)
13. Gandhar (Pak Rawal Pindi Peshawar)
14. Matsya (Eastern Rajasthan)
15. Avanti
16. Magadha (Bihar)

Reference : https://www.indiaolddays.com/