Tribes in Ancient India c31.90

c31.90

After Bimbisāra’s death, Pasenadi withdrew the gift from Ajātaśatru, and this led to a war between Kośala and Magadha. Pasenadi was defeated in three campaigns, but in another battle he avenged his defeat, and took possession of Kāsī. However, Pasenadi treated Ajātaśatru generously, giving him his daughter in marriage, and even bestowing the disputed village on her as a wedding gift.¹ In the Dīgha Nikāya we read that Pasenadi, king of Kāsī, used to collect taxes from the inhabitants of these two countries. He used to share the income with his subordinates.² The Mahāvagga,³ however, mentions a Kāsika-rājā (king of Kāsī) who sent a robe to Jīvaka. Buddhaghoṣa says⁴ that this was a brother of Pasenadi and son of the same father. He was probably a sub-king of Pasenadi.⁵ Later, when Ajātaśatru succeeded in establishing his sway over Kośala, Kāsī too was included in his dominions (see Chapter on Kośala).