Anga (Bihar)
- Capital: Champa
- 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.
