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The emergence of the sixteen Mahajanapadas marks a significant phase in the political and socio-economic history of ancient India during the sixth century BCE. This period is often regarded as the beginning of the Second Urbanization in the middle Gangetic valley. The Mahajanapadas represented large territorial states that evolved from the earlier tribal polities or Janapadas mentioned in the Later Vedic literature. Their rise reflected the transition from kinship-based political organization to territorially defined kingdoms and republics. Literary sources such as the Anguttara Nikaya, Mahavastu, Jain Bhagavati Sutra, and various Buddhist texts provide valuable information regarding these sixteen Mahajanapadas. The term 'Mahajanapada' literally means a great territorial state. These states developed due to several factors including the widespread use of iron technology, agricultural expansion, surplus production, population growth, urbanization, increased trade, and the emergence of organized systems of taxation and administration. While some Mahajanapadas were hereditary monarchies, others followed republican or oligarchic forms of government known as Gana-Sanghas. The sixteen Mahajanapadas listed in the Anguttara Nikaya are Anga, Magadha, Kasi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka (Asmaka), Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja. Anga was situated in eastern India with its capital at Champa, located near present-day Bhagalpur in Bihar. Champa was an important commercial centre connected with riverine and maritime trade. Anga initially emerged as a prosperous kingdom but was eventually conquered by Magadha under King Bimbisara. Its fertile lands and commercial importance contributed to Magadha's growing power. Magadha occupied the southern part of modern Bihar between the rivers Ganga and Son. Its early capitals were Rajagriha (Rajgir) and later Pataliputra. Magadha became the most powerful Mahajanapada owing ____ _________ _________ ____ ________ ___ _____.
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