Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.9

v2.c13.s3.t2.9

Ajatasatru fought with Kosala for many years and eventually made peace. He then fought with Vajji for 16 years and finally conquered this country and established the hegemony of Magadha in eastern India. Ajatasatru also believed in Buddhism. It is said that in his reign, Buddhism had its first Samgiti at the Saptparni Cave outside Rajgir. One of the fortifications built by him later developed into Pataliputra. This city became the capital of Magadha in the reign of his son. The emperors afterwards all took the throne by killing their fathers. The last emperor was overthrown by an uprising and the minister Sisunaga seized the opportunity and ascended the throne around the year 430. Magadha then conquered the powerful Avanti, Vajji and possibly Kosala states under the Sisunaga dynasty and became even more powerful. The dynasties of the Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas, Kanvas and Guptas all used to extend their power outwards from the