Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha
One of the oldest dynasties that ruled the Magadha kingdom and expanded its empire was the Haryanka dynasty which ruled from 544 BC to 413 BC. The dynasty’s foundation was generally attributed to Bimbisara and it grew during the rule of Ajatashatru and Udayin, eventually ending during the rule of Nagadasaka. The empire had two cities built. One being Rajagriha during the rule of Bimbisara, and the next being Pataliputra which later became the capital city for the many future kingdoms and empires that emerged from there. Thus, one of the major empires during which many military innovations were made, are mentioned in all the major chronicles of that era.
Bimbisara
Bimbisara was also known as Shrenika or Shrenya, and as the son of the chieftain Bhattiya. According to the recorded history, he was crowned at the age of 15. His capital was Rajgriha also known as Girivraja. He invaded Anga to avenge the defeat of his father at the hands of Brahmadutt, then ruler of Anga. After defeating him he annexed Anga and got the access to the Gangetic delta and received embassy from the ruler of Gandhara Pukkasati. He ruled from 544BC to 492BC. He supported both Buddhism and Jainism in his Kingdom as chronicles paint him to be a believer of both faiths. It is said that Bimbisara visited Samavarshana of Mahavira. According to Buddhist chronicle he supported and protected Buddha. He married Kosala Devi princess of Kosala and daughter of Maha Kosala, thus ending rivalry between the two kingdoms. He begot Ajathasatru known as Kunika from Kosala devi. He married Chellana, princess of Vaishali and daughter of King Chetaka, and later also married Kshema, daughter of Madra, the Chieftain of Punjab. It's said that he was arrested by his son Ajathasatru and Jain texts claim he committed suicide after his arrest. On the contrary, the Buddhist texts claim he was killed by Ajatashatru.
Ajatashatru
Ajatashatru also known as Kunika, succeeded by deposing his father Bimbisara. It is said that he ruled from 492 to 460 BC. There have been many legends surrounding his life from both Buddhist and Jain chronicles. His reign marked the great expansion of the Magadha empire as he conquered Kosala and other kingdoms. His conquest of Licchavi and Kosala are explained in detail in various texts of the era. He moved from Rajgriha to Champa. He fortified Pataliputra which later became the capital city of many later dynasties that ruled from Magadha. It is said that he designed the first scythed chariot known as rathamusala, as well as the mahashilakantinka, the siege engine to eject bigger stones or catapult. According to documents in the Mathura Museum, he was son of Vaidehi. Thus, the name of his mother is a source of confusion amongst historians, as both Chetaka and Kosala Devi were called Vaidehi according to Buddhist and Jain texts. The queen consorts of Ajatashatru were Vajira, Padmavathi, and six others. According to Buddhist tradition he became Buddha's follower after listening to Buddha. According to Jain tradition he followed Jainism and was succeeded by his son Udayin or Udayabhadra. His war with Licchavis is well explained in the chronicles of both Buddhism and Jainism
Udayin
Udayin ruled the kingdom of Magadha from 460-444 BC and was the son of Ajatashatru and Vajira. His reign marked the establishment of the capital of Magadha in Pataliputra where Ajatashatru built a fort. Facing attacks from Avanti he shifted his capital to Pataliputra for its safety and the protection it provided. He defeated the ruler of Avanti many times but was finally killed by the assassin sent by the ruler of Avanti. He didn't have a successor and so, according to Buddhist texts, his ministers chose Anuraddha as his successor.
Anuraddha and Munda were rulers with few individual texts dedicated to them. They were followed by Nagadasaka, who was the last ruler of the dynasty from 437BC to 413BC. He was deposed by Amatya, the minister Shishunga, with the support of people and courtiers, as he was unpopular amongst the people. Thus ended the Haryaka dynasty and the establishment of the Shishunaga dynasty.
Governance
Haryanka court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer), and Jivaka (physician) for administrative convenience in the court of Bimbisara. The kingdom had governance that had gramakas, the village heads who handled the village assemblies and they had maha amarthiyas or amarthas, who handled executive, judiciary, and military administration.
Magadha Vajji war was the major event that took place during the lifetime of Ajatashatru and saw the use of the scythed chariot and catapult siege engine mentioned elaborately in many texts. It also coincided with the Achaemenid conquest of the Indus.
