प्राचीन बिहार का इतिहास

Understanding the sources of ancient history is essential for Bihar's historical context. This topic is crucial for framing foundational questions in the BPSC exam.

Sources of Ancient Bihar

• Buddhist texts like Anguttara Nikaya and Digha Nikaya are vital for understanding Bihar's history.
• The Shatapatha Brahmana contains the first geographical mention of Bihar.
• In the Rigveda, Bihar is referred to as 'Kikata' and 'Vratya'.
• Ashoka's inscriptions describe the propagation of Dhamma and the duties of officials.
• Mauryan pillar inscriptions have been discovered at Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, and Lauriya Areraj.
• Alexander Cunningham conducted excavations at ancient sites like Nalanda and Vaishali.

Vedic Age and Mahajanapadas

• During the Later Vedic Age (1000-600 BCE), Aryans arrived in Bihar along the Gandak River.
• According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, Aryans settled in the Videha kingdom.
• The use of iron and agricultural surplus in the 6th century BCE led to the rise of Mahajanapadas.
• The Anguttara Nikaya and Bhagawati Sutra mention the 16 Mahajanapadas.
• Magadha, Videha, Anga, and Licchavi were the major states during the Mahabharata era.

Foreign Travellers

• Megasthenes visited Chandragupta Maurya's court and wrote 'Indica'.
• Fa-Hien spent three years in Pataliputra and visited Nalanda Mahavihara.
• Xuanzang visited during Harshavardhana's reign and wrote the travelogue 'Si-Yu-Ki'.
• Ralph Fitch was the first English traveller to visit Bihar.