Historical Geography of Ancient India c10.351

c10.351

King Bimbisāra of Magadha had a son by a courtesan of Ujjayinī named Padumavatī (*Therīgāthā Commy.*, p. 39). Mahākaccāyana was born here in the family of king Caṇḍapajjota’s chaplain, who learnt the three Vedas and succeeded his father in his office. Mahāvīra, the founder of Jainism, practised penances here. In the 4th century B.C. Ujjayinī became subject to Magadha. Aśoka was stationed here as viceroy in the early part of the 3rd century B.C. Aśoka’s son Mahinda was born here while his father was the viceroy. Vikramāditya the celebrated King of Ujjayinī, who is usually identified with Candragupta II (circa 375 A.D.), is said to have expelled the Scythians and established his power over the greater part of India.