Mahajanapada: 16 Great kingdoms of India

Mahajanapada: 16 Great kingdoms of India

 Mahajanapada was 16 great kingdoms of ancient India. These 16 kingdoms were the earlier states of ancient India, what is now divided into present day's India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This ancient kingdoms can be found in Vedas. 

They were Chedi ,Kasi ,Kosala ,Anga, Vajji ,Malla,Vatsa ,Kuru ,Panchala ,Matsya ,Surasena ,Assaka ,Gandhara ,Kamboja  and Avanti . Each kingdom were name after a Kshatriya (worrier) tribe which settled there. 

Political Scenario in Mahajanapada

These great kingdoms always engaged in war with other kingdoms, specially with neighboring kingdom . There were no single dynasty that rule a Mahajanapada solely. The position of king was depend on courage and war he won. This lead many dynasties to rule single Janapada in different eras. Like Magadha ruled by many great Indian dynasties, from Nandas to Mauryas and from Guptas to Sakas. 

Gantantra: Republic States in Ancient India  

There is common misconception regarding governance in ancient India. Many people believe that since there were kings in ancient India, It must be Monarchy system, which is wrong. There were many republic states in ancient India which were governed by republic form of governments. Since many Gantantras were Buddha's followers they vowed to non-violence. Tough many Gnatantras were always threatened by Kings of neighboring states, Gantantras survived till 4th Century A.D.