In the early Buddhist text we have a list of sixteen great nations that occupied the territory from the kabul valley to the banks of godhavari shortly before the raise of teh Buddhism. The names of these states are Anga(East Bihar), Magadha(South Bihar), kasi(Benaras), Kosala(oudh), Vriji(North Bihar), Malla(Gorakhpur district), Chedi(between jamuna and narmada), vatsa(Allahabad), kuru(Delhi and meerut districts), Panchala(Bareilly, Badaun and farrukhabad districts), and kamboja(south-west kashmir)
The Magadha was one of the most prominent and prosperous of mahajanapadas. Its earliest capital was Girivraja or Rajagaha (modern Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar) Later on, Pataliputrabecame the capital of Magadha.. The other names for the city were Magadhapura, Brihadrathapura, Vasumati, Kushagrapura and Bimbisarapuri, named after the great king.
Bimbisara pursued a policy of expansion. He pocessed certain advantages denied to many of his contemporaries. He was the ruler of a compact kingdom protected on all sides by the mountains and the rivers. His capital, Girivraja was enclosed by 5 hills.
Both Vardhamana Mahavira, the last apostle of the jains, and Gautama Buddha, the great Master of the Buddhists, preached their doctrines during the reign of bimbisara.Tradition affirm that in his old age the kingwas murdered bu his son Ajatasatru.
Image: google.references: wikipedia2.Basic facts on history
