Ajatashatru

Ajatashatru
Painting depicting Ajatashatru visiting the Buddha to assuage his guilt
2nd Haryanka Emperor
Reign	c. 565 – c. 535 BCE or c. 492 – c. 460 BCE
Predecessor	Bimbisara
Successor	Udayabhadra
Died	535 BCE or 460 BCE
Spouse	Vajira
Issue	Udayabhadra
Dynasty	Haryanka
Father	Bimbisara

Ajatashatru (IAST: Ajātaśatru; Pali: Ajātasattu; Kunika; r. c. 492 – c. 460 BCE or early 4th century BCE) was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in North India. He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. He forcefully took over the kingdom of Magadha from his father and imprisoned him. He fought a war against Vajji, ruled by the Lichchhavis, and conquered the republic of Vaishali. Ajatashatru followed policies of conquest and expansion. He defeated his neighbours including the king of Kosala; his brothers, when at odds with him, went to Kashi, which had been given to Bimbisara as dowry. This led to a war between Magadha and Kosala. Ajatashatru occupied Kashi and captured the smaller kingdoms. Magadha under Ajatashatru became the most powerful kingdom in North India.

Mahavamsa dates accession of Ajatashatru in 491 BC. It further dates his second campaign against Vajjis in 481-480 BC. Based on the same, A. L. Basham dates the first campaign of Ajatashatru in 485 BC. The Samannaphala Sutta states that Ajatashatru visited the six teachers to hear their doctorines and at last visited Buddha in 491 BC.

Ajatashatru, also known as Kunika, was the son of Bimbisara. The ancient inscription in Government Museum, Mathura refers to him as vaidehi putra Ajatashatru Kunika "Ajatashatru Kunika, the son of Vaidehi." The story of Ajatashatru is found in the Tripiṭaka of Buddhism and Jain Agamas. The account of Ajatashatru's birth is more or less similar in both the traditions. According to Jainism, Ajatashatru was born to King Bimbisara and Queen Chelna; Buddhist tradition records Ajatashatru being born to Bimbisara and Kosala Devi. It is worthwhile to note that both the queens were called "Vaidehi" in both the traditions. Thus Ajatashatru being called Vaidehiputra in the inscription at the Mathura museum does not clarify his mother's name.