Magadha

Magadha was an ancient kingdom of India, mentioned in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

It comprised that portion of Behar lying south of the Ganges, with its capital at Pataliputra or Patna.

As the scene of many incidents in the life of Gautama Buddha, it was a holy land. It was also the seat of the Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta, which extended over all India under Asoka; and, later, of the powerful Gupta Empire.

• This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica. Please update as needed.