Bihar: Ancient history and archaeological sites

The name Bihar comes from the word Viharas, a Buddhist monk's resting place. Bihar was the centre of many influential kingdoms and the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism. Two major dynasties, the Mauryas and the Guptas, flourished in the ancient Bihar region, then known as Magadh.

Prehistoric and Stone Age Sites

• Palaeolithic sites have been discovered in Munger and Nalanda.
• Neolithic artefacts from the period between 2500 and 1500 B.C. were found in Chirand (Saran) and Chechar (Vaishali).
• Artefacts from the Chalcolithic Age have been identified in Taradih, Chirand, and Chechar.
• The arrival of Aryans in Eastern India occurred during the later Vedic era, specifically between 1000-600 BC. The Satapatha Brahmana discusses this migration, while the Varah Puran mentions Gaya, Punpun, and Rajgir as auspicious places.

Ancient Kingdoms and Mahajanapadas

By 500 BC, the Mahajanapadas, a group of sixteen monarchies and republics, emerged over the Indo-Gangetic plains.

• Three Mahajanapadas were located in Bihar: Magadha, Anga, and Vajji.
• According to Buddhist and Jaina literature, these small kingdoms were led by Magadha in the sixth century.
• The Lichchavi clan, based in present-day Vaishali, is noted for establishing the world’s first democracy.
• King Janak of Videha ruled the region where Sita was born; the ancient kingdom covered present-day districts of Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Madhubani, and Darbhanga.

Pre-Mauryan Dynasties of Magadha

• Brihadratha Dynasty: The first known ruler was Brihadrath; his son Jarasandha was a popular king.
• Haryanka Dynasty: Lasted from 544 to 492 B.C. and was established by Bimbisara, who made Rajgir his capital. Bimbisara was the first ruler to establish a permanent army.
• Ajatshatru: Son of Bimbisara, during whose reign Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira attained Mahaparinirvana and Moksha. The First Buddhist Council was held in 483 B.C. at Rajgir under his patronage.
• Udayin: Succeeded Ajatshatru and established Patliputra at the confluence of the Ganga and Sone rivers, making it his capital.
• Shishunaga Dynasty: Lasted from 412 B.C. to 344 B.C., founded by Shishunga. Rajgir and Vaishali served as capitals during this time.
• Kalasoka: Under his patronage, the Second Buddhist Council was held in 383 B.C. at Vaishali.
• Nanda Dynasty: Lasted from 344 B.C. to 321 B.C., founded by Mahapadmananda. The last monarch, Dhana Nanda, was a contemporary of Alexander.

Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Empires

The Mauryan dynasty ruled from 321 B.C. to 184 B.C., founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya).

• The capital was Patliputra, referred to as Palibothra in Megastheneses’s Indica.
• Ashoka is the most famous Mauryan ruler. Following the Kalinga War, he converted to Buddhism under the guidance of monk Upagupta.
• The Third Buddhist Council was convened in 247 B.C. at Patliputra by Ashoka, with Venerable Moggalliputta Tissa as president.
• The Sunga dynasty followed the Mauryas, founded by Pushyamitra Sunga.
• The Gupta Empire ruled northeastern India from the 4th to the 6th century CE. Sri Gupta (A.D. 240-280) is credited as the founder. Chandra Gupta I ascended the throne around A.D. 320.
• The reign of Kumaragupta (A.D. 415-455) saw the foundation of Nalanda University. The Gupta period is considered the classical age of India, during which Aryabhatta revolutionized astronomy.
• The Pala dynasty flourished in the Bihar-Bengal region between the 8th and 12th century A.D., supporting Mahayana Buddhism.

Religious Heritage and Monasteries

• Buddhism: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The Mahabodhi Temple at this site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three of the four major Buddhist Councils were held in Bihar: First at Rajgriha (483 B.C.), Second at Vaishali (383 B.C.), and Third at Pataliputra (247 B.C.).
• Jainism: Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, was born in Vaishali around the sixth century B.C. and attained nirvana in Pawapuri. Munisuvrata, the 20th Tirthankara, was born in Rajgir. Vasupujya, the 12th Tirthankara, was born in Champapur (Bhagalpur).
• Hindu pilgrimage: Gaya is one of the most prominent pilgrimages for offerings to ancestors. Valmiki, author of the Ramayana, lived at Valmikinagar in West Champaran.
• Monasteries: Nalanda (5th century) and Vikramshila (8th century) were major centres of learning. Vikramshila was founded by Dharmapala (770-810 A.D.) in Bhagalpur district. The Odantapuri monastery in Bihar Sharif, founded by Gopala, is considered the second oldest of India's Mahaviharas after Nalanda.