Home > Travel > Cities of India > Ancient Rajagriha
Ancient Rajagriha
Rajagriha was the capital of Magadhan era. This word Rajagriha came from the "Abode of the Kings". Now, this place is comprised of the archaeological sites.

Share this Article:

Ancient Rajagriha, Capital of Magadha, Ancient BiharRajagriha is the ancient capital city of Magadha of Bihar. Magadha of Bihar was the part of Magadhan Empire and played as the most important role in administrative section from the time of Indian Puranas.

Rajagriha in Ancient Scriptures
Puranas, Jains Agamas and the Buddhist Pali scriptures showcase Rajagriha as an ancient city of Magadha, while Mahabharata also noted Rajagriha as the political seat after Indraprastra. Mahabharata also noted the history of Bhima and Jarasandha. The Buddhist scriptures mostly written by Chinese pilgrims Fahien and Hieun Tsang portrayed the history of Buddha era in Rajagriha and the social, political and economical life of Rajagriha.

Emergence of Rajagriha
The ancient Rajagriha was the capital city of the Magadha kings. Rajagriha gained importance in 5th century BC when Udayin (460-440 BC), son of Ajatashatru, moved his official and administrative seat to Pataliputra, the modern day Patna in Bihar. "The Home of Royalty` was founded in Rajagriha by Shishunaga of Shishunaga dynasty in 413 BC.

Social Life of Rajagriha
The people of Veda era who spread from the northwest to north-central India and the Ganga river showed the elegance in art, architecture, sculptures and the scriptures. The people of Vedic culture were organized into several clans. Each of the clans and the tribes are ruled by the Rajas and Maharajas. The chief was primarily a leader of war, battles and the revolts. He was solely responsible for protecting each and every clan.

Monuments in Rajagriha
In Rajagriha, there are many ancient monuments which include Gridhakuta Hill, Vulture`s Peak, Pipphali House or Cave, Venuvana, Jivakarama, Tapodarama and Saptaparni Cave. Some of the other archaeological sites in Rajagriha are the Karnada Tank where Gautama Buddha used to bathe, Son bhandar Cave, the Maniyar Math that dates from the 1st century, Maraka Kukshi where the still unborn Ajatasatru was cursed as a patricide, the "Ranabhumi" where Bhima and Jarasandha fought in the Mahabharata battles.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India

Cities of North East India
Cities of North East India defines the unity in their culture and tradition. The tourism sector in North East cities in India are mainly based on nature and adventure tourism.
Cities of Central India
Cities of Central India are located on the Central Highlands in the midst of the dense jungles and the rich history of Chandella Dynasty.
Cities of South India
Cities of South India express the cleanliness, technically upgraded traffic system and easy communication in inter cities and abroad with railways, roadways and airways.
Cities of North India
Capital Cities of North India have a rich history from the time of Mahabharata. These cities have good communication system, proper business centers and cultural home towns.
Capital Cities in East India
Capital cities in East India define the Bengali and Odiya culture with the close similarities. The tribal culture is also dominant in the 21st century capitals along with the heavy industrialization.
Capital Cities of South India
Capital cities of South India are the smarter cities, with well equipped communication system and rapid transit system. In these capital cities of India, ayurveda, historical tourism and the medical tourism are dominant.
Capital cities of West India
Capital cities of West India define the business centers and this region has the highest GDP rate.
Capital Cities of Central India
Capital Cities of Central India are located in the midst of forests and the tribal belts of Central India.
Capital Cities in North East India
North East India forms a unity in the tribal language, settlements and the culture. The capital cities of North East India run their administration in a unified form.
Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.
Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.
Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.
Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.
Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India represent the culture, history, monuments and eco tourism with easy connectivity in roadways, railways and airways.
Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.
Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.
Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.
Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.
Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.