The rise of Magadha

Among the small states of the Ganges valley, Magadha, on the lands of present-day Bihar, gradually pulls ahead. It is helped by the iron ore deposits nearby, the fertile floodplain, and the river as a trade route; its capital is first the fortress of Rajagriha, later Pataliputra on the Ganges. Under King Bimbisara and his successors Magadha absorbs its neighbours and becomes the strongest state of northern India. It is here that the Buddha and Mahavira preach — and from here, two centuries on, the empires of the Nandas and the Mauryas will grow.