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democratic rule, where the Kings were the constitutional heads, and they did every governmental work with the advice of Councils. There were some extensive Staies that were ambitious for expanding their states by incorporating their neighbouring small States.
Despite the fact that it is very interesting and useful to know the actual political conditions in India in the oth and 7th centuries B. C. it is a matter of sorrow, that no Eastern nor Western Scholar has taken pains to make a thorough search and write a complete histury. Let us try to scan the Jain and Bauddha Books to gather whatever information they afford in this respect.
Following Bauddha Records there were four principal States ( Empires ).
1. The Empire of Magadhas-Capital Rajgrah (subsequently styled Patliputra with Bimbisar (called in Jain Books Bambisar or shrepik ) was the first sovereign and his Prince Ajatshatru (Styled Ashokchandra or Konik in Jain Books) succeeded him to the power Both these are held to be the followers of Jainism according to Jain Books. An ample history of these two is contained in Jain Books.
2. In the North East there was the Koshala Empire having Shravästi as its metropolis. Prasena ruled the Empire and he was succeeded by his Prince Vidyudabha. Jain Books lack reference of the King in Shravasti. The obvious reason is that the ruler was a follower of Buddhism and this is quite clear in Bauddha Books.
3. Just to the South of Koshalas was the empire of Vansha or Vateas, its Capital being Koshambi on the river Jamna Parantap ( called Shatanik in Jain Literature) ruld there. This Pri. nce Udain (Udayan in Jain Books ) succeeded him. Both the Father and son re Jains as shown in Jain Literature.
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