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Janapada
Sign in to saveThe Janapadas () () (c. 1100–600 BCE) were the realms, aristocratic republics (Gaṇasaṅgha) and kingdoms (sāmarājya) of the Vedic period in the Indian subcontinent. The Vedic period reaches from the late Bronze Age into the Iron Age: from about 1500 BCE to the 6th century BCE. With the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas ("great janapadas"), most of the states were annexed by more powerful neighbours, although some remained independent.
Article
18 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History and evolution
- Nature
- The boundaries of the kingdoms
- The cities and villages
- Administration
- Interactions between kingdoms
- New kingdoms
- Cultural differences
- List of Janapadas
- Vedic literature
- Puranic literature
- Sanskrit epics
- Buddhist canon
- Jain text
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
The Janapadas () () (c. 1100–600 BCE) were the realms, aristocratic republics (Gaṇasaṅgha) and kingdoms (sāmarājya) of the Vedic period in the Indian subcontinent. The Vedic period reaches from the late Bronze Age into the Iron Age: from about 1500 BCE to the 6th century BCE. With the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas ("great janapadas"), most of the states were annexed by more powerful neighbours, although some remained independent.
thumb|Late Vedic era map showing the boundaries of Āryāvarta with Janapadas in northern India. Beginning of Iron Age kingdoms in India— Kuru, [[Panchala, Kosala, Videha.]] thumb|Locations of kingdoms and republics mentioned in the Indian epics or Bharata Khanda.Janapadas were the kingdoms and republics of Vedic India from the late Bronze Age to the Iron Age (c. 1200 BCE to 6th century BCE). Emerging from settled agricultural communities, they were originally named after the dominant "Jana" (people/tribe). With the spread of iron tools, these smaller kingdoms grew in size and power, eventually evolving into the larger Mahajanapadas.