By: Admin
The kingdom of Magadha attained the rank of a paramount power under king Jarasandha. The earliest capital was the hill-fort of Rajagriha. The most ancient king who can be approximately dated was Sisunaga (about 600 BC).
Bimbisara, the fifth Saisunaga king, founded a new capital (Rajgir) at the base of the hill on which stood the old capital. He also annexed the small kingdom of Anga to the east. This annexation was the first step in Magadha's progress to greatness during historical times. Bimbasara was after a reign of 28 years starved to death by his son Ajatasatru. This king built a fort at Patali (Patna) to check the incursions of his neighbours from Vaishali, which developed into the magnificent city of Pataliputra, the modern Patna.
It was during the reign of Chandragupta, Magasthanes: This ambassador, Magasthanes, lived at Pataliputra for a long time and spent his leisure in compiling a careful account of the geography, products and institution of India. The book has been lost, but extracts from it have been preserved by other writers.
His statements disclose a well ordered state, governed by a stern, capable despot who did not hesitate to shed blood, and consequently lived in daily fear of assassination.
The capital (Patliputra) a city 10 miles long and 2 miles broad, protected on one side by the Ganges, and on the other by a deep ditch surrounded on all sides by a wooden wall was administered by a municipal commission composed of six panchayats. The other great cities of the empire were probably governed on similar lines. The empire was a loose confederacy of 118 towns, under the suzerainty of the ruler of Pataliputra, but practically independent in matters of internal administration. The general administrative machinery consisted of six boards, four for the four kinds of army, one for transport, commissariat and field service, and the sixth for admiralty affairs.
There was a vast standing army of 1000 elephants attended by 116,000 men, 30,000 cavalry and 600,000 infantry. Chandragupta's chariots numbered probably more than 8,000.
Elaborate rules providing for the treatment of strangers show that the empire had constant dealings with foreign states.
Irrigation was carefully attended to by a special department, Many taxes and cesses besides land revenue and water rates were levied. Cultivators were exempt from military service. The people had simple and frugal habits, but possessed an extravagant love of ornament and show. The revenue and penal codes were severe and sternly administered. Theft, willful false statements, and other crimes were punished by mutilation. Evasion of the duty on goods sold was punishable with death. Judicial torture, of which there were 18 kinds, including 7 varieties of whipping, for exacting confessions was recognised and freely used. A regular system of excise was also in force.
The people required no locks to their doors; above all no Indian was ever known to tell a lie. The Hindus scarcely ever had recourse to a law-suit; and they lived peaceably.
