Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.20

v2.c13.s3.t2.20

Pataliputra is an ancient Indian city, also known as Puspapura, Pataliputta or Pāṭaligrāma. It was initially called Kusumapura and is known as Patna in the state of Bihar today. Located at the intersection of the Ganges, Gandak and Song rivers, it was of strategic importance. King Ajàtasatru of the Magadha dynasty in the 6th century BCE constructed fortifications here to defend against the Vrjji (Vajji) state. His son, Udayabhadra, built Pàtaliputra as a major city after inheriting the throne and moved the capital here. From then on, various dynasties including the Nanda,