What were the notable achievements of Bimbisara?

Magadha which corresponds roughly to the present. Patna and Gaya districts occupies an important place in the early history of India.

The state of Magadha is place of the birth and the development of two great religions. Buddhism and Jainism. The state of Magadha produced learned scholars like Kautilva. Panini and Patanjali.

The existence of the famous universities of Nalanda and Vikraina Sila also contributed to the greatness of Magadha. King Vasu of Kuru dynasty had conqured Magadha and incorporated it into his empire. After his death, his empire was divided into five portions by his five sons.

Of these five son’s, Brihadrath became the independent ruler of Magadha and is said to be the founder of Magadha Empire. His capital was ‘Girivraj’.

The most ambitious and mighty ruler of Brihadrath Vamsa’ was Jarasandha who conquered many Kshatriya kings. Lord Krishna, with the help of Pandavas, killed Jarasandha.

The decline of Magadha started after Jarasandha. Ripunjaya was the last king of this dynasty but his minister Pulika killed him and ascended the throne.

Pulika had two sons- Balaka and Pradotya Pulika made Pradotya the ruler of Avanti and Balaka, the ruler of Magadha. After sometime a Samanta named Pulika killed Balaka and made his son Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha.

Bimbisara became the king of Magadha in 603 B.C. at the age of 15 and from this time the rise of Magadha started. Dr. Ray Choudhury observes, “The early dynastic history of Magadha is shrouded is darkness.

We have occasional glimpses war-lords and statesmen, some “probably entirely mythical, other having more appearance of a leader. The history commences with the famous Bimbisara of Haryanka Kula,”

Bimbisara :

As remarked by Dr. Radha Kumuda Mookherji, “The Puranas mention Sisunaga as the founder of the dynasty which they name after him, while the Buddhist texts take Bimbisara as founder of Haryanka dynasty which was followed by the Sisunaga dynasty.

Buddhist evidence is considered more reliable by the scholars and is accordingly followed here”.

According to Puranas, Sisunaga was the destroyer of the dynasty of Pradotya of Avanti,.who was a contemporary of Bimbisara. From this it is obvious that there was the dynasty of Pradotya even after Bimbisara.

Besides this, Ajatshatru the son of Bimbisara conquered Vaishali. But according to a Pali text,” Mahalankar Vathu”. Sisunaga made Vaishali his capital after leaving Raigriha. Hence it is obvious that Sisunaga ruled after Ajatshatru.

Last but not the least, Kala Shoka (Kaka Varna) the son of Sisunaga made Pataliputra as his capital. But Pataliputra did not exist and was established by Bimbis;ira and hence Kaka Shoka would not have been before Bimbisara. On the above grounds if can be concluded that Bimbisara was of Haryanka dynasty and not of Sisunaga dynasty.

According to Dr. Bhandarkar, Bimbisara was a Commander-in-chief in the beginning an ad established a new empire by defeating Vajjis.

But this view is not correct. The correct view is that Bimbisara got the empire from his father stage of 15.

Matrimonial alliances:

Bimbisara was an able ruler and established his empire firmly through matrimonial alliances. He married Kosala devi, the daughter of the King of Kosala.

Those marriage established friendly relations between Kosala and Magadha, Moreover, in dowry he got a village in Kasi, with annual income of 2 lakhs.

Besides this marriage, he made a second marriage with ‘Chellana’ the daughter of Lichchavi King Chetak. He made a third marriage with Khema, the Princess of ‘Bhadra Desh’.

Thus through these matrimonial alliances he established friendly relations with powerful neighbourly states and pursued and imperialistic policy. According to ‘Mahavagga’ he had 500 queens.

Expansion of Empire :

His first campaign was against Anga. He defeated and killed King Brahamadatta and incorporated Anga into Magadha. According to Mahavagga there were 80,0000 village in his kingdom.

According to ‘Buddhacharya’ his empire was 300 yojana vast. Kushagrapur was the capital of Magadha. It was also called Qirivraja. Hue to the danger of Vijjis, Bimbisara made Rajgriha, north of Kushagrapura, his capital.

Administration :

Bimbisara laid the foundation of mighty and powerful empire by providing a sound and efficient administration. To assist him in the efficient running of administration there were following officials.

1. Uparaja :

Darsaka the eldest son of Bimbisara was the Uparaja w ith whose help he ruled the kingdom.

2. Mandali Karja :

These were a sorf of feudal lords who were given certain lands and governed them in accordance with the orders of the king.

3. Senapati:

Senapati was responsible for organising the army and leading if in campaigns.

4. Senapati-Mahamatra :

Next to Senapati was Senapati Mahamatra.

5. Vyavaharika Mahamatra :

These was equivalent to the present judges. ,

6. Grambhojaka :

He was the head of the village and helped in the collection of revenue.

Judicial Administration :

It was very strict and serve punishments such as cutting the limb, whipping, cutting, tongues, death sentences etc. were awarded to the criminals. Rewards were given for faithful service and fidelity to the king.

Art and Education :

Art and education also flourished during us reign. Jiwak was the famous vaidya of his reign. Moreover, the famous architect and sculptor Mahagovind built many beautiful buildings during his reign.

End of Bimbisara :

There is controversy regarding the end of Bimbisara. According to Jaina Anushruti, Bimbisara had chosen his son. Ajatashatru in preference to all his other sons, to succeed him. But Ajatashatru being impatient to ascend the throne, imprisoned his father.

Later on her repented this and while he was going to set his father free, his father misunderstood him and committed suicide. But according to Buddhist texts. Ajatasatru cast his father into prison and murdered him, keeping him hungry and thirsty.

Regarding this story Dr. V. A. Smith writes, “It is probably however, that the story is the product of opium theologicum of sectarian rancor which has done so much to the history of Ancient India”

Duration of regin of Bimbisara :

According to ‘Mahavamsa’, Bimbisara ruled for 52 Years but according to Puran he ruled only for twenty- eight years. According to Dr. Radha Kumud Mookheiji, Bimbisara reigned from 603 t6 551 B.C.