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How many Mahajanapadas or ‘Great Kingdoms’ existed in ancient India during the lifetime of Lord Gautam Buddha?

How many Mahajanapadas or ‘Great Kingdoms’ existed in ancient India during the lifetime of Lord Gautam Buddha? Correct Answer 16

The total 16 Mahajanapadas are - Kashi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Machcha, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.

  • Anguattara Nikaya, a text of Buddhist Literature gives a list of 16 kingdoms called Mahajanapadas.
  • These Mahajanpadas are either Monarchies or Republics (Ganasanghas).
  • The important Republics of this period were the Sakyas of Kapilavastu and the Licchavis of Vaishali.
  • The important monarchical Mahajanpadas of this period were Kaushambi (Vatsa), Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti.

Additional Information

The capitals of the kingdoms were: 

Mahajanapada Capital
Avanti Mahishmati, Ujjaini
Assaka Patali/Potana
Gandhara Taxila
Kamboja Rajapur
Kosala Sravasti
Kuru Indraprastha
Magadha Patliputra

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