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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
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Haryanka Dynasty
Dynasty
Level 3
Dynastic phase
c. 544–413 BCE
Dynasty of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.
- Capital
- Rajagriha
- Region
- East
- Duration
- 131 years
- Main period
- Mahajanapadas
- Part of
- Magadha
Rulers
- Bimbisara Kingc. 544–492 BCEAnnexed Anga; patron of the Buddha.
- Ajatashatru Kingc. 492–460 BCEDefeated the Vajji confederacy; built Pataligrama fort.
- Udayin Kingc. 460–444 BCEFounded Pataliputra as capital.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| c. 540 BCE | Bimbisara annexes Anga The first step in Magadha's expansion. |
Champa |
| c. 492 BCE | Ajatashatru becomes king of Magadha | Rajagriha |
| c. 483 BCE | First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha | Rajgir |
| c. 468 BCE | Ajatashatru defeats the Vajji confederacy | Vaishali |
| c. 460 BCE | Pataliputra becomes Magadha's capital | Pataliputra |
📚 Recommended reading on the Haryanka Dynasty
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Haryanka Dynasty for a significant part of its history.
Magadha ★
East · c. 700–321 BCE
Kuru
North · c. 1,200–350 BCE
Gandhara
Northwest · c. 1,200–518 BCE
Panchala
Gangetic Plain · c. 1,100–350 BCE
Kosala
Gangetic Plain · c. 1,100–460 BCE
Matsya
West · c. 1,100–350 BCE
Kashi
Gangetic Plain · c. 1,000–500 BCE
Chedi
Central · c. 1,000–300 BCE
Vatsa
Gangetic Plain · c. 1,000–400 BCE
Avanti
Central · c. 1,000–345 BCE
Surasena
North · c. 800–350 BCE
Kamboja
Northwest · c. 800–330 BCE
Assaka / Asmaka
Deccan · c. 700–350 BCE
Kalinga
East · c. 700–261 BCE
Vajji / Vrijji Confederacy
East · c. 600–468 BCE
Malla
Gangetic Plain · c. 600–400 BCE
Achaemenid Gandhara & Hindush
Northwest · c. 518–330 BCE