India as we know today was a large geographical area
ruled by different rulers in different times. Out of sixteen Mahajanpadas in
this subcontinent, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar stood out distinctly
due to its deft use of iron and iron made tools. Considerable rise in
agricultural products and production followed as a result ahead of time techniques
and skills. This was Magadh.
The
map of India that we see now started taking its shape from this region. First
Hiryak dynasty was established by Brihadrath whose successor Jarasandha - the
semi mythological king - made Rajagriha,
now Rajgir, his capital. The other great rulers of this region were Bimbishar
who further added Kashi and also conquered Anga. Thenafter Ajatsatru added
Kaushal to Magadh and Shishunag further added Awanti to it. So was Magadh
Empire formed.
The Great Maurya Dynasty arose after
overthrowing cruel and inefficient Nanda
dynasty, restoring glory to the land. The Great Chandragupta Maurya – counseled
by his political guru Chanakya conquered the land between north west of Vyas
river to Sindhu river and he added Patliputra, now Patna, by eliminating the
last Nanda Dynasties ruler Dhanananda. Chandragupta Maurya built a great empire
in north west from Sindhu river to Godavri river in south, defeated Seleucus of
Syria and annexed Areana, Judesia (now Baluchistan), Kabul and Arkosia (now
Kandhar) to his empire. Maurya Empire expanded till Hindukush during Chandragupta
Maurya’s time. Bindusar added other small regions of the Indian subcontinent to
the empire.
Great
Ashoka - considered as a greatest of the Emperors of all time – succeded
Bindusara. Maurya empire rose to its peak during this period when it conquered
its neighboring region kalinga. And it was during this period that we could see
the integrated India under a single flag. It was at this stage that Patliputra
– later called Azimabad, Bankipore and finally Patna – became the centre of that
power which then ruled our present motherland and even beyond. That’s how Bihar’s
glorious past shaped our country India.
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