Mahajanapadas - Kosala

Kosala

The country of Kosalas was located to the north-west of Magadha with its capital at Savatthi (Sravasti). It was located about 60 miles north of modern Ayodhya at the border of Gonda and Behraich districts in the Sahet-Mahet region. Its territory corresponding to the modern Awadh (or Oudh) in i.e Central and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. It had the river Ganges for its southern, the river Gandak (Narayani) for its eastern and the Himalaya mountains for its northern boundary. It finds mention as the center of Vedic Dharma. Its kings allied with Devatas in various wars against Daityas, Rakshas and Asuras. Koshala and Ayodhya hold a central place in the Hindu scriptures, Itihas and Purana. Raghuvansha- Ikshvakuvansha was the longest continuous dynasty, Lord Rama was a king in this dynasty. Other great kings were Prithu, Harishchandra, Dilip who find mention in different Puranas, Ramayan and Mahabharat. According to these texts, Koshala was the most powerful and biggest kingdom ever in the recorded history. Later, the kingdom was ruled by king Prasenjit during the era of Mahavira and Budhha followed by his son Vidudabha. There was a struggle for supremacy between king Pasenadi (Prasenjit) and king Ajatasatru of Magadha which was finally settled once the confederation of Lichchavis became aligned with Magadha. Kosala was ultimately merged into Magadha when Vidudabha was Kosala's ruler. Ayodhya, Saketa, Benares and Sravasti were the chief cities of Kosala.