INTRODUCTION
- The period around the emergency of the Janpadas saw the co-existence of several belief system-Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism
- The period from 600 BC to 400 BC saw a big change in the history of ancient India.
- There was the rise of Janpads and Mahajanpads large kingdoms ruled by kings whose powers were extremely large. This age was one of intellectual and spiritual ferment.
Sources
The history of India from about 600 BC is clear and easy to under stand due to availability of many literary texts. Buddhist text like the Jataka Tales throw enough light on the life of the people. Besides the Vedic texts like the Brahmanas and Upnishads give a lot of information about the Janapadas and Mahajanpadas. The puranas also give useful information about the history of the period.
The Mahajanapadas
- The development in agriculture and as such the capability to grow their own food made Aryans settle down as families.
- Aryans called the families Kula, many kulas formed one Clan and many clans formed one Jana (tribe)
- Around the 6th Century BC these Janas formed their own territory which they called Janapadas.
- These Janapadas were continuously fighting with each other and the one who became powerful were known as the Mahajanapadas (great states)
- In the sixth century BC, there existed 16 large states or Mahajanapadas in India - Kashi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.
The Polity
- The political system was of two types : Monarchical system and Republic System.
- Monarchical System : The following were the features of monarchical system.
- States were ruled by Kings.
- Kingship was hereditary.
- Tax collected from people was used by the king for army and roads.
- Republic System : The following were the features of republic system.
- States were ruled by a chief called Ganapati elected by a group of people. It was not hereditary.
- Ruler ruled with assistance from elders of Kshatriya family. They had an army too.
- Tax collected from people was spent on army and for the welfare of the citizens. They were constituted by either a single tribe or many tribes.
- They were not so prosperous like the monarchies, because their states were always located near hills.
- Examples are Mallas and Licchavis.
- There were many administrative terms, such as ‘mahamatta’ (mahamatya) and ‘amachchha’ (amatya) that were common to republics and monarchies.
(c) Some Important Republics
- Shakya of Kapilavastu : This republic was situated on the northern boundary of the Nepal Terai region. The capital was Kapilavastu. Lord Buddha was born in this republic.
- Videha : The capital of Videha was Mithila. In this Buddhist era it was a part of Vajji Mahajanapada, but it gradually turned into a republic.
Magadhan Ascendancy
- Magadha was the cradle of most of the important and powerful Indian empires.
Bimbisara (542 – 492 BC)
- Magadhan ascendancy began with Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty. He was a resolute and energetic organiser, ruthlessly dismissing inefficient officers, calling his village headmen together for conferences, building roads and causeways, and travelling around his kingdom on tours for inspection.
- King Bimbisara in 543 BC first annexed Anga to expand his territory. He had whole hearted support from his contemporaries, Buddha and Mahavira.
- Ajatashatru (492 – 460 BC) was the successor of his father Bimbisara. He built the capital city Patliputra and controlled the entire kingdom.
- Udayin (460–444 BC) Ajatasatru was succeeded by Udayin who founded the new capital at Pataliputra.
- The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Sisunaga dynasty, which destroyed the power of Avanti with its capital at Ujjain and incorporated it in the Magadhan empire.
Sisunagas
- The Sisunagas also temporarily shifted the capital to Vaisali. The Sisunagas were succeeded by the Nandas who annexed Kalinga to the empire.
Nandas
- Mahapadma Nanda was the most important king of this dynasty. The last Nandas turned out to be weak kings. Their rule in Magadha was succeeded by that of the Maurya dynasty. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda.
Religious Movements : Causes
- In the sixth century BC, there appeared many religious sects in India. Of these there were many heterodox sects, Jainism and Buddhism being the most important among them.
Jainism
Jainism was founded in India by Mahavira in 6th century. He was a Kshatriya prince of the Lichchavi clan. The word Jainism comes from term Jina meaning conquerer. Mahavir’s teachings were initially given orally and were known as ‘Purva and Angas’
After Mahavira, two sects were formed among the Jains - the Digambaras or the sky clad (naked) and the Swetambaras or the white clad i.e., those who wore white garments.
Context in which it Developed
- Jainism came about as a reaction to the ritualistic practices and rites of Brahmanism.
- Mahavira preached his message in the local language Prakrit, unlike Brahmanism which advocated Sanskrit.
- Jains believe that there were 23 Thirtankaras – religious teachers, before Mahavira and that he was 24th one. He travelled far and wide and established schools at Vallabhi, in Gujarat and went up to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Basic Tenets of Jainism
- It is against Vedic rituals, animal sacrifices and caste system.
Ahmisa
- Even small living animals have soul so none should be injured. War was prohibited.
- Goal of life is to save soul or at man from the cycle of rebirths. This is called Siddha Sila.
Tri Ratna
- Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Action
- Five doctrines : do not steal, do no lie, do not acquire property, do not commit violence, observe Brahmacharya.
- These teaching are recorded in 12 Angas and the language used is Ardha-Magadhi or Prakrit.
Buddhism
Context in which it Developed
- Mahavira who founded Jainism and Gautam Buddha who founded Buddhism were kshatriyas and both belonged to Republic kingdoms.
- Buddism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama dates back to 500 BC>
- He was born in 563 BC at Lumbini gardens Kapilvastu, now in Indo Nepal border. He was the prince of Shaka a tribe and a kshatriya by birth and married at the age of 16.
- He gave his first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath, Varanasi. This event is known as Dharma Chakra Parivartan i.e., Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.
- He rejected the Vedas, rituals and Varna system.
- Most of his followers became monks and nuns and this group was known as the Sangha.
Basic Tenets of Buddhism
- The world is full of sorrow. Every sorrow has a cause, whose roots lie in greed, desire and attachement.
- Four Noble Truths : (Arya Satya) : (i) there is suffering ; (ii) this suffering must have a cause which is desire ; (iii) suffering must be got rid of ; (iv) in order to get rid of suffering one must know the right way.
- Suffering is caused by desire, therefore, the extinction of desire would lead to the cessation of suffering.
- Nobel Eightfold Path : (Astangika Marga) : (i) right belief (ii) right thought (iii) right speech (iv) right action (v) right means of livelihood (vi) right endeavour (vii) right recollection (viii) right meditation.
Texts
- After the death of Buddha, Buddhism also got divided into two sects.
- Mahayana Buddhism, who considered Buddha as God.
- Hinayana Buddhism, who considered Buddha as a religious teacher.
