In middle of 6th century BC, Anga was annexed by Magadha under Bimbisara.
Magadha
Capital: Girivraj, Rajgir
First important and powerful dynasty in Magadha was Haryanka dynasty.
Bimbisara was a Contemporary and follower of the Buddha.
Kashi
Capital: Varanasi
Ruled over the areas adjoining Varanasi. According to Jatakas, there was rivalry between Kashi and the neighbouring kingdom of Kosala.
Eventually, Kosalan king Presenjit annexed Kashi into Kosala.
Vatsa
Capital: Kaushambi
Situated around Allahabad.
Most powerful king was Udayana.Svapnavasavadatta, a Sanskrit drama written by Bhasa is on relationship between Udayana and Vasavadatta, daughter of king of Avanti.
Buddha visited Kaushambi during reign of Udayana.
Vajji
Capital: Videha, Mithila, Vaishali
A republican state with 8 clans. Famous among them were: Lichchavis (Vaishali), Videhans (Mithila) and Jnatrikas (Mahavira).
Koushala
Capital: Shravasti
Most popular king was Prasenjit, a contemporary and friend of Buddha.
Avanti
Capital: Mahismati/Ujjain
Important ruler: Pradyota
Malla
Capital: Kuishinara and Pawa
Buddha died in Kushinagara. Magadha annexed it after Buddha’s death.
Panchala
Capital:Kampilya
Located in Rohilkhand & central Doab (Western UP).
Two branches of panchalas: Northern Panchala at Ahichhtra & Southern Panchala at Kampilya.
Chedi
Capital:Suktimati
Chedi territory corresponds to Eastern parts of Bundelkhand.
A branch of chedis founded royal dynasty in Kalinga.
Kurus
Capital:Indraprastha
The Puranas attribute Kurus' ancestry to the Puru-Bharata clan. Kauravas and Pandavas were born 15 generations after Kuru, who was born after 25 generations of Puru's dynasty.
The Kurus' homeland closely matched current Thanesar, the state of Delhi, and the Uttar Pradesh region of Meerut.
Matsya
Capital: Viratnagar
Located in Jaipur region of Rajasthan.
King Sujata ruled over both chedis and Matsyas.
Kamboja
Capital:Rajapura
Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Ashoka’s Edict no. XIII attest that Kambojas followed republican Constitution.
Surasena
Capital:Mathura
Had a republican form of government. Avantiputra, king of Surasena, was first among chief disciples of Buddha.
Asmaka
Capital: Potana or Potali
Located on the banks of river Godavari. Southernmost Mahajanapadas ruled by Ikshvaku Kshatriyas.
Gandhara
Capital: Taxila
Famous for education and learning tradition in Ancient India. Gandhari was the princess of this state.
Panini, Jivaka and Kautilya are the world-renowned products of Taxila University.
