The main causes of wars of Magadh with others Mahajanapadas were,expansion of boundaries, sovereignty of Magadh,trade and commerce,diamond and iron ore mines share distribution and the rising power of Lichchavi.History also states that there was a contract, between Lichchavi and King Ajatshatru for diamond sharing.The Lichchavi s unilaterally revoked  the contract of diamond sharing and this resulted the military intervention by Magadh.Some historian also claimed that the love affairs  of Ajatshatru and royal courtesan Amrapali and political shelter of Ajatshatru's brothers in Vaishali were the principal causes of war. 


Ultimately Ajatshatru defeated Lichchavi s and absorbed them in his empire.It was also believed that King Ajatshatru along with Amrapali became the Buddhist on  same day. But 
there are lots of contradiction on this belief.

Two advanced warfare's were invented by King Ajatshatru namely Mahasilakantaka and scythed chariot or Rathamusala(already discussed earlier).Mahasilakantaka was used in throwing big stones on enemies.The two great religions mentors Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira attained nirvana during the reign of King Ajatshatru.King Ajatshatru renovated about 18-20 Buddhist monasteries.

During the tenure of Ajatshatru,Anand(main disciple of Buddha) recited Sutta Pitaka while another disciple Upali recited Vinay Pitaka after the demise of Buddha.Sutta Pitaka is the sutra  or saying basket.It is the collection of 10,000 or more sutra s attributed to Buddha and his close companions.It is basically the collection of teachings of Lord Buddha.It has five subdivision  or Nikayas namely;

(a)Digha Nikaya

(b)Majjhima Nikaya

(c)Samyutta Nikaya

(d)Anguttara Nikaya and

(e)Khuddaka Nikaya

Vinay Pitaka is the Code of Conduct or discipline manual for monks and nuns.It has three subdivisions namely  

(a) Suttavibhanga

(b)Khadhaka and

(c) Parivara


Pitaka is an application of secular words to religious matters.It is often considered as the rise of knowledge and consequently it contains maxim for the life of a good citizen.

Mahavamsa text states that Ajatshatru was overthrowned  and murdered by his son Udaibhadra.King Udaibhadra shifted the capital of Magadh to Patliputra.He ruled for sixteen years.

Haryanka dynasty rulers were power hungers.This dynasty is known for its bloody succession tradition.Udaibhadra was killed by his son Anirudha.The same bloody traditions were followed by his son Munda and later on by Nagadasaka.The bloody feud for power and throne led to the foundation of civil revolt and Shishunaga Dynasty emerged.


The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by Shishunaga Dynasty.King Bimbisara and King Ajatshatru were the prominent rulers of Haryanka dynasty.The crime cultures were specially reported during Haryanka Dynasty which ultimately lessened the power and prestige of Haryanka Dynasty.

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