Mahajanapadas

The 'Mahajanapadas' were the names of the sixteen minor kingdoms in North India. Vatsama, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha were the principal kingdoms. Kosala was the ruling kingdom while the Buddha lived. Kosala had two cities: Ayodhya and Saketa. Eventually, Magadha took control of Kosala. Girivraja was the initial capital of Magadha, followed by Rajagriha and Pataliputra. Brihadratha was the first known monarch of Magadha. The primary ruler of Magadha was Bimbisara, a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira. Ajatasatru created "Pataliputra." During the reign of Ajatasatru, the Buddha and Mahavira were died.