The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s4.25

v1.c19.s4.25

On the death of Bimbisāra, his wife, the Kosala Devī, is said by tradition to have died of grief⁸. The government revenues of an estate in Kāsi had been settled upon her by Mahā-Kosala as pin-money on her marriage. At her death the payment of course ceased. Ajātasattu then invaded Kāsi. It seems incredible that this could have been the real motive of the war, unless the kings of that place and time were less expert in inventing pretexts for a war which they wanted than modern kings in Europe. The war itself is however mentioned in the Canon⁹, and with some detail. In the first campaign Ajātasattu out-manœuvred his aged uncle, and drove him back upon Sāvatthi. In the next, however, Pasenadi lured his nephew into an ambush, and he was compelled to surrender with all his force. But Pasenadi soon set him at liberty, gave him back his army, and, according to the commentary, gave him also one of his daughters in marriage.