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Political Conditions and Institutions
a Minister named Pulika (Puņika) is said to have killed his master and appointed his own son, Pradyota, the ruler in the very sight of the Kshatriyas.1 Pradyota was thus Puņika's son, and with him commenced the Pradyota dynasty.
Pradyota was one of the most powerful monarchs of North India in the days of Lord Mahāvīra, and during that period Avanti rose to a high position. It was no less than Magadha in strength and position. According to the Buddhist text Mahavagga,2 Pradyota was a great soldier; and, according to the Puranas, he reduced many of his contemporary rulers to subjection. The Purānas do not give us a detailed list, but those subjugated may have been among the rulers of ShoḍaśaMahajanapadas.
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The relations of Pradyota with Bimbisāra of Magadha were cordial. Bimbisara sent his famous physician Jivaka to cure Pradyota when he fell ill. On the other hand, the Jaina legends mention that Pradyota went forth to attack Rājagriha, even during the lifetime of Bimbisāra, but the attempt was foiled by the cunning prince Abhaya. It is however definite that Pradyota's relations with Bimbisara's son, Ajātaśatru became strained. Ajätaśatru adopted an aggressive policy of attacking and conquering Vaisali. Being an ambitious ruler himself, Pradyota could not tolerate the aggression launched upon him by Ajataśatru. Both of them wanted to establish their supremacy in northern India. Pradyota was planning an attack upon his rival's capital at Rajagṛiha. Apprehending this invasion by Pradyota, Ajātaśatru fortified his capital.
Pradyota wanted to consolidate and extend his kingdom. In his neighbourhood, there was the powerful kingdom of Kausambi ruled by his rival Udayana Vatsarāja of the celebrated Bharata family. Pradyota seems to have engaged in war with Udayana but later on amity between them was
1. Matsya, p. 272, I, V. 37. 303.
2. SBE, XVII, p. 187.
3. ABORI, 1920-21; DPPN, I, 128.
4
CHI, I, p. 311.
5. RBI, pp. 4-7.
