Avanti–Magadhan War

The Avanti-Magadhan war was fought between Magadha and Avanti for domination over much of North India.^[1]

Avanti-Magadhī War
Date 544–400 BCE Location North India Result Magadhī victory Territorial changes Magadhī annexation of Avanti
Belligerents
Magadha Haryanka Dynasty (544–413) Shishunaga dynasty (413–400)	Avanti
Commanders and leaders
Bimbisara Ajatashatru Udayin Anuruddha Munda Nagadasaka Shishunaga	Palaka Visakhayupa Ajaka Varttivarddhana or Nandivardhana
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The ancient Indian states were almost always in conflict with one another. During the reign of King Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha pursued an expansionist policy. This caused him to come into conflict with the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti. Bimbisara had to fortify Rajgir due to the threat of an Avanti invasion.^[2][3] During the early years of the reign of Ajatashatru, Avanti managed to establish its supremacy by invading certain parts of Magadhan territories.^[4]

Shishunaga: Conquest of Avanti

After the death of Ajatashatru a period of uncertainty followed and a succession of weak rulers again gave rise to a threat of a Pradyota invasion. Enraged by this, the people of Magadha overthrew the last of the Haryanka rulers and one of the ministers, Shishunaga, usurped the throne. Shishunaga defeated the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti, removing a major threat to the Magadhan Empire.^[3]

See also

• Magadha-Vajji war