[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c12.3489 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.3489 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c12.3489 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c12.3489](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12.3489) 2. Kosala.—A country inhabited by the Kosalā, to the north-west of Magadha and next to Kāsī. It is mentioned second in the list of sixteen Mahājanapadas.¹ In the Buddha's time it was a powerful kingdom ruled over by Pasenadi, who was succeeded by his son Viḍūḍabha. By this time Kāsī was under the subjection of Kosala, for we find that when Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, married Kosaladevi, daughter of Mahākosala and sister of Pasenadi, a village in Kāsī was given as part of the dowry.² Various Jātakas indicate that the struggle between Kāsī and Kosala had been very prolonged.³ Sometimes the Kāsī king would attack Kosala, capture the king and rule over the country. At others the Kosala king would invade Kāsī and annex it to his own territory. Several Kosala kings who succeeded in doing this, are mentioned by name —e.g., Dabbasena,⁴ Dīghāvu,⁵ Vaṅka⁶ and Kamsa; the last being given the special title of “Bāraṇasiggāha,”⁷ probably in recognition of the fact that he completed the conquest of Kāsī. Other kings of Kosala who came in conflict with Benares in one way or another are mentioned—e.g., Dīghiti,⁸ Mallika,⁹ and Chatta.¹⁰ Sometimes the kings of the two countries entered into matrimonial alliances.¹¹ With the capture of Kāsī the power of Kosala increased rapidly, until a struggle between this country and Magadha became inevitable. Bimbisāra’s marriage was probably a political alliance, but it only served to postpone the evil day. Quite soon after his death there were many fierce fights between Ajātasattu, his successor, and Pasenadi, these fights bringing varying fortunes to the combatants. Once Ajātasattu was captured alive, but Pasenadi spared his life and gave him his daughter, Vajirā, in marriage and for a time all went well.¹² Later, however, after his conquest of the Licchavis, Ajātasattu seems to have succeeded in establishing his sway in Kosala.¹³ In the sixth century B.C. the Sākyan territory of Kapilavatthu was subject to Kosala.¹⁴ - [Previous: v1.c12.3488](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12.3488) - [Next: v1.c12.3490](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12.3490) - [Up: v1.c12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12.3489](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c12.3489) · Pramāṇa