Avanti-Magadhan War

The Avanti-Magadhan war was fought between the Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha and Avanti for domination over much of North India.

The ancient Indian states were almost always in conflict with one another. During the reign of Emperor Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha pursued an expansionist policy. This caused him to come into conflict with Pradyota, the King of Avanti. Bimbisara had to fortify Rajgir due to the threat of an Avanti invasion. During the early years of the reign of Ajatashatru, Avanti managed to establish its supremacy by invading certain parts of Magadhan territories.

Shishunaga: Conquest of Avanti
After the death of Ajatashatru a period of uncertainty followed and a succession of weak rulers again gave rise to a threat of a Pradyota invasion. Enraged by this, the people of Magadha overthrew the last of the Haryanka rulers and one of the ministers, Shishunaga, usurped the throne. Shishunaga defeated the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti, removing a major threat to the Magadhan Empire.