The Haryanka dynasty was the third ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of

ancient India According to consensus in modern genetics, anatomically modern humans first arrived on the Indian subcontinent from Africa between 73,000 and 55,000 years ago. Quote: "Y-Chromosome and Mt-DNA data support the colonization of South Asia by ...

, which succeeded the Pradyota dynasty and Barhadratha dynasty. Initially, the capital was Rajagriha. Later, it was shifted to

Pataliputra Pataliputra ( IAST: ), adjacent to modern-day Patna, was a city in ancient India, originally built by Magadha ruler Ajatashatru in 490 BCE as a small fort () near the Ganges river.. Udayin laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra at ...

, near the present-day Patna in

India India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the ...

during the reign of Udayin. Bimbisara is considered as the main founder of the dynasty. According to the Buddhist text, the Mahavamsa, Bimbisara was appointed king by his father, Bhattiya, at the age of fifteen. This dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty.

Governance

The governance structure of Haryanka dynasty is mentioned in ancient texts. They mention ''gramakas'' (village headmen) who headed village assemblies and ''mahamatras'' (high-ranking officials) who had executive, judicial and military functions. Historically, this period coincided with the Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley during the rule of

Darius I Darius I ( peo, 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎺𐎢𐏁 ; grc-gre, Δαρεῖος ; – 486 BCE), commonly known as Darius the Great, was a Persian ruler who served as the third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 522 BCE until his ...

from about 517/516 BCE.

Rulers

Bimbisara

Bimbisara reigned from 545 to 493 BCE. The extent of his kingdom is mentioned in ''

Mahavagga Khandhaka is the second book of the Theravadin ''Vinaya Pitaka'' and includes the following two volumes: * Mahāvagga: includes accounts of Gautama Buddha's and the ten principal disciples' awakenings, as well as rules for uposatha days and monast ...

''. His advisors included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and

Jīvaka Jīvaka ( pi, Jīvaka Komārabhacca; sa, Jīvaka Kumārabhṛta) was the personal physician ( sa, vaidya, italic=yes) of the Buddha and the Indian King Bimbisara, Bimbisāra. He lived in Rājagṛha, present-day Rajgir, in the 5th century BCE. ...

(physician). He was given the title of ''Seniya''. Both Jain and Buddhist texts claim the king was a follower of their respective religions. ''

Uttaradhyayana Sutra Uttaradhyayana or Uttaradhyayana Sutra is one of the most important sacred books of the Svetambara Jains. It consists of 36 chapters, each of which deals with aspects of Jain doctrine and discipline. It is believed by some to contain the actu ...

'' says he was a follower of

Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...

, whereas '' Sutta Nipata'' depicts him and his wife, Khema, as followers of

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in ...

. The latter further mentions he deputed

to assist Buddha's '' Sangha''. He also married Chellana and Kosala Devi, sister of Pasenadi. According to George Turnour and N.L. Dey, the name of the father of Bimbisara was Bhatiya or Bhattiya, but the Puranas refer him as Hemajit, Kshemajit, Kshetroja or Ksetrauja and the Tibetan texts mention him as Mahapadma.

Ajatashatru

Ajatashatru reigned from 493 to 462 BCE. He married Vajira, Kosala's princess. In some sources, Bimbisara was imprisoned and killed by his son and successor, Ajatashatru, under whose rule the dynasty reached its largest extent. Ajatashatru was contemporary with

(599–527 BCE) and

Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in ...

(563–483 BCE). Ajatashatru fought a war against the Vajjika League, ruled by the Lichhavis, and conquered them.

Udayin

Udayin or Udayabhadra is mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts as the successor of Ajatashatru . ''Puranas'' however mention him as the fourth king after Darshaka.

Later rulers

''Puranas'' mention Nandivardhana and Mahanandin as successors of Udayin. According to Buddhist tradition, Anurudhha, Munda and Nagadarshaka were his successors.

List of Rulers

* Bimbisara (544–492 BCE) * Ajatashatru (492–460 BCE) * Udayin (460–444 BCE) *Anuruddha (444–440 BCE) *Munda (440–437 BCE) * Nāgadāsaka (437–413 BCE)

Decline

Haryanka dynasty was ultimately overthrown out of power by their ''Amatya'' (minister), Shishunaga.

References

Citations

Sources

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Haryanka Dynasty History of Bihar Kingdoms of Bihar States and territories established in the 6th century BC 6th-century BC establishments in India 5th-century BC disestablishments in India 5th century BC in India