Haryanka Dynasty
Location : Magadha, according to the Buddhist text Mahavamsa between 544 BC and 413 BC. Initially, the capital was Rajagriha. Later, it was shifted to Pataliputra, near present-day Patna, Bihar in India during the reign of Udayin. Bimbisara is considered to be the founder of the dynasty. According to the Mahavamsa, Bimbisara was appointed king by his father, Bhattiya, at the age of fifteen. This dynasty was succeeded by the Shaishunaga dynasty
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 from about 517/516 BCE.
Bimbisara
Bimbisara, also known as Shrenika or Seniya in Jain traditions, was the King of Magadha from 457 to 405 BCE and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. He was the son of Bhattiya. His expansion of the kingdom, especially the annexation of Anga to the east, laid the foundation for the later Mauryan Empire. According to Jain tradition, he is believed to be the first future Tirthankara (named Mahapadma or Padmanabha) of the next cosmic cycle. He often visited the Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira, seeking spiritual answers. Jain texts say he became a follower of Jainism under the influence of Muni Yamadhar. After being imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru, Bimbisara killed himself in a fit of passion and was reborn in hell. He is prophesied to be reborn as a Tirthankara in the next cosmic era. In Buddhist tradition, Bimbisara is known for his patronage of the Buddha and is remembered as a great cultural benefactor. He first met the Buddha before his enlightenment and later became one of his important lay disciples. He is said to have attained sotapanna, the first stage of enlightenment. He allowed women of his palace to visit the Buddha and requested a hair-and-nail stupa so they could venerate him at any time. Buddhist sources state he was murdered by his son Ajatashatru, influenced by the monk Devadatta. According to Xuanzang, a 7th-century Chinese monk, Bimbisara built the city of Rajgir (ancient Rajagriha), which was his first capital. He also fortified a village that later became Pataliputra. He led a successful military campaign against Anga, defeating King Brahmadatta, and appointed his son Kunika (Ajatashatru) as governor of Champa. This conquest gave Magadha control over important trade routes to the eastern coast. Bimbisara used marriage alliances to strengthen his political power. His first wife, Kosala Devi, was the daughter of Mahā Kosala and sister of King Prasenajit. She brought Kashi as dowry, which ended hostilities with Kosala. His second wife, Chellana, was a Licchavi princess from Vaishali and daughter of Jain king Chetaka. His third wife, Kshema, was from the Madra clan of Punjab. His court included important figures such as Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (a flower gatherer), Koliya (a minister), Kumbhaghosaka (a treasurer), and Jivaka (a renowned physician). According to Puranas, Bimbisara ruled for 28 or 38 years. Sinhalese chronicles suggest a reign of 52 years.
Ajatashatru
Ajatashatru (Kunika/Kuniya)
Reign: c. 492–460 BCE or c. 405–373 BCE
Dynasty: Haryanka Dynasty
Father: King Bimbisara
Capital: Initially Rajgriha, later moved to Champa
Overview
Ajatashatru, also known as Kunika in Jain texts, was a powerful ruler of Magadha in ancient East India. He was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. He ascended the throne after imprisoning his father, King Bimbisara. His reign marked the militaristic and territorial expansion of Magadha, establishing it as the most powerful kingdom in North India.
Birth and Family
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Jain tradition: Born to Queen Chellana, daughter of Chetaka of Vaishali.
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Buddhist tradition: Born to Kosala Devi, sister of King Prasenajit of Kosala.
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Both traditions refer to his mother as Vaidehi.
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Had eight wives in Jain texts, and 500 wives in Buddhist records. His chief consort was Princess Vajira, daughter of Prasenajit.
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Had a son named Udayabhadra, who succeeded him.
Conquest of Vaishali
Ajatashatru waged a major war against the Vajjika League, led by the Licchavis and his maternal grandfather, King Chetaka of Vaishali.
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Cause: Conflict over inheritance items (an elephant and necklace) involving his half-brothers who fled to Vaishali.
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Strategy: Formed alliances with his half-brothers (Kalakumaras), and used massive military force.
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Tactics: Used advanced war machinery like the Ratha-Musala (scythed chariot) and Mahasilakantaka weapon.
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After a prolonged battle, he conquered Vaishali, weakened its fortifications through espionage and psychological warfare, and uprooted religious symbols which were believed to protect the city.
War with Kosala
Ajatashatru fought a war against King Prasenajit of Kosala over the city of Kashi, which was part of his mother’s dowry. The conflict ended with a peace treaty and the marriage of Vajira to Ajatashatru.
Religion
Jain Tradition
Ajatashatru was a follower of Mahavira, maintaining close contact with the Jain monk through an official who reported Mahavira’s activities. Jain texts portray him as devout and later deeply associated with key figures in the Jain sangha.
Buddhist Tradition
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Initially influenced by Devadatta, he later repented for his crimes, including the murder of his father.
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His meeting with the Buddha is detailed in the Samaññaphala Sutta, where he sought refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha).
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He supported Buddhism, participated in the First Buddhist Council at Sattapanni Cave, and built a stupa over Buddha’s relics.
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In Mahayana Buddhism, he is seen as a symbol of deep suffering redeemed by the Buddha’s compassion.
Death
Accounts of his death vary. According to some Buddhist texts, he died around 461 BCE. Other estimates place his death nearly a century later. Jain texts emphasize the karmic consequences of his earlier actions.
Legacy
Ajatashatru is remembered as a brilliant but ruthless ruler whose military strategies and political ambitions shaped early Magadhan dominance. His life reflects the complex interplay of politics and religion in ancient India.
Udayin
Udayin (Udayabhadra)
Reign: c. 460–444 BCE (or, by short chronology, c. 373–357 BCE)
Dynasty: Haryanka Dynasty
Father & Predecessor: Ajatashatru
Successors: Possibly Anuruddha (Buddhist texts), or Nandivardhana/Mahanandin (Puranas)
Key Contributions & Reign
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Udayin was the son and successor of King Ajatashatru and ruled Magadha after him.
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He is credited with founding the city of Pataliputra, strategically located at the confluence of the Son and Ganges rivers.
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He shifted the capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra, recognizing its central location and strategic value for administration and defense.
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He likely strengthened the fortifications of Pataliputra, which his father had initially built to counter threats from Avanti.
Military Campaigns & Death
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Udayin fought multiple battles against Palaka of Avanti, a rival power, and was ultimately killed by Palaka around 444 BCE (according to traditional chronology).
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Jain texts mention that he was assassinated by an agent from a rival kingdom.
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Being childless, he was likely succeeded by a minister-appointed ruler — leading to the rise of the Nanda dynasty.
Religious Associations
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Like his predecessors Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, Udayin is regarded as a patron of Jainism in Jain texts.
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Buddhist accounts mention him as a young prince during Gautama Buddha's time, implying a connection to the early Buddhist movement as well.
Succession Disputes & Dynastic Transition
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Successor names vary across sources:
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Buddhist texts: Anuruddha → Munda → Nagadasaka
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Puranas: Nandivardhana → Mahanandin
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Some accounts mention Darshaka, possibly identical with Nagadasaka
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The confusion in succession points to a period of political instability, with multiple rival claimants and possible parallel reigns in different parts of Magadha.
Historical Notes
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The Chinese traveler Xuanzang records that a descendant of Bimbisara built a monastery at Tiladaka, sometimes linked to Udayin or Darshaka.
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Some early scholars (e.g., H.C. Seth) mistakenly identified Udayin with Udayana of Vatsa from the play Svapnavasavadatta, but this has been disproven.
Legacy
Udayin’s most enduring contribution was the foundation and elevation of Pataliputra, which would later become the capital of the Nandas, Mauryas, and other dynasties — making it one of the most important urban centers in ancient India.
Later Rulers
🏛️ Succession After Udayin
There is no consensus across traditions regarding who succeeded Udayin. Different sources provide different lineages:
📜 Puranic Tradition
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Successors:
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Nandivardhana
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Mahanandin
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These two are said to be the last kings of the Haryanka line, with Mahanandin often linked to the transition to the Nanda dynasty.
📘 Buddhist Tradition (Mahavamsa)
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Line of Succession:
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Bimbisara (544–492 BCE)
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Ajatashatru (492–460 BCE)
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Udayin (460–444 BCE)
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Anuruddha (444–440 BCE)
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Munda (440–437 BCE)
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Darshaka (Nagadarshaka) (437–413 BCE)
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These successors are portrayed as part of the Haryanka lineage, but their historicity is debated.
📗 Jain Tradition
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Claims Udayin was childless, killed by an assassin from a rival kingdom.
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His ministers chose Nanda as successor — skipping all other successors mentioned in Buddhist and Puranic accounts.
📆 Chronology Debate: Traditional vs Short Chronology
| Historian | Bimbisara | Ajatashatru | Udayin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional (Mahavamsa) | 544–492 BCE | 492–460 BCE | 460–444 BCE |
| Short Chronology (Sarao, Keay) | 457–405 BCE | 405–373 BCE | 373–357 BCE |
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The short chronology suggests that Udayin’s reign ended just before the Nanda dynasty began.
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It argues that multiple claimants may have ruled simultaneously in different regions of Magadha, leading to chaotic succession until the Nandas unified the kingdom.
📉 Decline of the Haryanka Dynasty
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According to the Mahavamsa, the Haryankas were overthrown by Shishunaga, a minister (Amatya), who founded the Shishunaga Dynasty.
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Alternatively, Jain texts state that Nanda, not Shishunaga, was appointed by ministers after Udayin's death.
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Some scholars suggest that this conflict and confusion reflect a period of political fragmentation, murders, and usurpations.
🧭 Summary
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Udayin marks the last stable ruler of the Haryanka dynasty.
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His successors are disputed, with Buddhist, Jain, and Puranic sources offering contradictory lists.
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The post-Udayin era saw dynastic instability, multiple claimants, and court intrigues.
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This vacuum of power likely enabled the rise of the Nandas, starting with either Shishunaga or Mahapadma Nanda, depending on which source is followed.