Kaushambi
Topic: Janapadas, Mahajanapadas and the Second Urbanisation · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "New Beginnings: Cities and States"
Meaning
Kaushambi was the capital of the Vatsa mahajanapada. It stood on the river Yamuna, near present-day Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. It was a large fortified city, meaning it was surrounded by strong walls. It mattered because the Dakshinapatha began there. This was the main road that crossed the Vindhya hills and led to south India, so Kaushambi became a busy link between north and south.
Example
In c. 6th century BCE, King Udayana of Vatsa ruled from Kaushambi. Archaeologists have dug up the remains of the city's massive walls there.
Don't confuse with
- Kaushambi vs Kushinagar: Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa, on the Yamuna. Kushinagar was a town of the Malla state, where the Buddha died.
Related concepts
- Mahajanapada
- Gandhara
- Kuru
- Kosala
- Prasenajit
- Vatsa
- Udayana of Vatsa
- Avanti
- Pradyota of Avanti
- Ashmaka