Many powerful and vast states were indepenadently established in North India in the sixth century B.C. which were named as Mahajanapadas. According to Budhist scriptures and ‘Agguttarnikaya’, there were 16 Mahajanapadas existing in that period.

There were two types of states in above mentioned 16 Mahajanapadas – Monarchism and Republic. In the sixth century B.C. many republics also prevailed. Among them main were – Shakyas of Kapilvastu, parts of Sunsumargiri, Buly of Allakappa, Kalam of Kesputta, Koliya of Ramgram, Malla of Kushinagara, Malla of Pava, Maurya of Pippalivan, Lichchavi of Vaishali and Videh of Mithila.

Main Janapadas of Rajasthan

In the chain of the development of vedic civilization origin of Janalpadas is seen in Rajasthan also. Due to invasion of Greeks, tribes like Malav, Shivi, Arjunayan etc. of Punjab which were famous for their courage and bravery migrated to Rajasthan and settled here. In this way Janapada system originated in Eastern part of Rajasthan.

The main Janapadas were are follows:

Jangal : Present district of Bikaner and Jodhpur were called Jangadesh in the Mahabharat period. Somewhere its name is found as Kuru – Jangala and Madey – Jangala. The capital of this Janapada was Ahichatrapur which is present day Nagpur.

Matsya : The region near – around present day Jaipur was known as Matsya Mahajanapada. Its extension was from near the hills of Chambal up to Jangal region of the river Saraswati. Its capital was Viratnagar which is known as Bairath in present time.

Shursen : This Mahajanapada was located in modem Braj region. It’s capital was Mathura. The ancient Greek writers called this state as ‘Shursenoi’ and capital as ‘Methora’.

Shivi : Shivpur was the capital of Shivi Janapada and the king Sushin defeated it with other castes in the battle of ten kings. The recognition of ancient Shivpur is done with the Sherkota place in present Pakistan. In later period this Shivi caste of Southern Punjab inhabited in Mewar Region of Rajasthan city located near of Chittorgarh was the capital of this Janapada.