Ancient History
Bihar GK · प्राचीन इतिहास · 15 facts
Vedic period: Vedic Aryans settled in Ganga valley; Magadha & Videha kingdoms emerged
Magadha Empire: Emerged around 6th century BC, became dominant power in ancient India
Pataliputra (Patna): Capital of Mauryan Empire under Ashoka & Bindusara
Ashoka's 4th Edict pillar stands in Patna, marking Mauryan power
Buddha spent 14 monsoons in Rajgir; Preached First Sermon in Bodh Gaya (528 BC)
Mahavira (Jain 24th Tirthankar): Born in Vaishali in 599 BC
Vaishali: Democratic republic, world's first republic (6th century BC)
Nanda Dynasty: Ruled Magadha before Mauryans, accumulated vast wealth
Chandragupta Maurya: Founded Mauryan Empire (322 BC), defeated Nandas from Magadha
Gupta Empire: Flourished in Magadha from 4th-6th century AD, Golden Age of India
Bindusara (297-272 BC) was Mauryan emperor, son of Chandragupta, father of Ashoka
Ashoka (268-232 BC): Most famous Mauryan ruler, embraced Buddhism after Kalinga war
Chanakya (Kautilya): Advisor to Chandragupta Maurya, wrote Arthashastra in Pataliputra
First Buddhist Council held at Rajgir (Rajagriha) in 483 BC after Buddha's death
Vikramaditya of Gupta dynasty patronized Nalanda and is linked to India's golden age