Magadha became the most powerful kingdom, ruled by kings Bimbisara and Ajatasattu. Kings established their rule by performing great sacrifices and collecting taxes from crops, crafts, goods, and forest produces. Forts were built for protection and display of wealth. Meanwhile, the Vajji kingdom had a different government called a gana-sangha ruled collectively by many leaders, performing rituals together, lasting about 1500 years.

1. LESSON 6LESSON 6
KINGDOMS KINGS AND AN EARLYKINGDOMS KINGS AND AN EARLY
REPUBLICREPUBLIC

2. HOW DID MEN BECOME RULERS IN THE PAST?
THE ASHVAMEDHA ORTHE ASHVAMEDHA OR
HORSE SACRIFICEHORSE SACRIFICE
Men became Rajas by performing bigMen became Rajas by performing big
sacrifices.sacrifices.
The rajas who perform these bigThe rajas who perform these big
rituals will now be recognized as therituals will now be recognized as the
rajas of Mahajanapadas rather thanrajas of Mahajanapadas rather than
Janas.Janas.
About 2500 years ago some janapadasAbout 2500 years ago some janapadas
became more important than othersbecame more important than others
and were known asand were known as MahajanapadasMahajanapadas

3. FortsForts
Forts were built to protect the people or to showForts were built to protect the people or to show
the wealth of the King.the wealth of the King.

4. TAXESTAXES
CROPS- 1/6 TH
OF THE GROSS
PRODUCE
CRAFTS
PERSONS
HERDERS GOODS
WHICH
WERE
BOUGHT
& SOLD
FORESTS PRODUCE
BROUGHT BY
HUNTERS &
GATHERERS

5. MAGADHAMAGADHA
MagadhaMagadha became the most important mahajanapada.became the most important mahajanapada.
Magadha had two powerful rulers, Bimbisara and Ajatasattu.Magadha had two powerful rulers, Bimbisara and Ajatasattu.

6. Against The Magadha Empire,

7. Rajagriha in Magadha
Rajagriha in BiharRajagriha in Bihar was the capital of Magadha for manywas the capital of Magadha for many
yearsyears. Later it was shifted to. Later it was shifted to PataliputraPataliputra..

8. Bimbisara and AjatasattuBimbisara and Ajatasattu
AjatasattuAjatasattuBimbisaraBimbisara

9. The capital ofThe capital of VajjiVajji waswas
VaishaliVaishali( Bihar ).( Bihar ).
Vajji had a different kind ofVajji had a different kind of
government known asgovernment known as ganagana oror
sanghasangha..
There were many rulers in Vajji.There were many rulers in Vajji.
Even thousand men rule a gana orEven thousand men rule a gana or
sangha.sangha.
They performed rituals together.They performed rituals together.
The vajji kingdom lasted about 1500The vajji kingdom lasted about 1500
years ago.years ago.
VAJJIVAJJI