Udayin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Udayin |
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Sculpture of Udayin
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| King of Magadha | |
| Reign | c. 460 – c. 444 BCE |
| Predecessor | Ajatashatru |
| Successor | Anuruddha |
| Died | 444 BC |
| Dynasty | Haryanka |
| Father | Ajatashatru |
| Mother | Vajira |
| Religion | Jainism, Buddhism |
Udayin (c. 460-444 BCE) also known as Udayabhadra was a king of Magadha in ancient India. According to the Buddhist and Jain accounts, he was the son and successor of the Haryanka king Ajatashatru. Udayin laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra at the confluence of two rivers, the Son and the Ganges. He shifted his capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra due to the latter's central location in the empire.
Life and reign
The Buddhist traditions state that Udayin was Ajatashatru's favourite son, and was alive during the reign of his grandfather Bimbisara. When Ajatashatru met Gautama Buddha, Udayin was a young prince. Udayin ruled during c. 460-444 BC. he established his capital at Pataliputra at the confluence of the Son and the Ganges rivers. His father had built a fort here to repulse a potential Pradyota invasion from Avanti. Udayin moved his capital to Pataliputra, probably because it was at the centre of his growing kingdom.
He defeated Palaka of Avanti multiple times but was ultimately killed by him in 444 BC. The Puranas mention Nandivardhana as the successor of Udayin. However, the Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles state that he was succeeded by Anuruddha. These Buddhist chronicles also state that all the kings from Ajatashatru to Nagadasaka, including Udayin, killed their fathers. Jain texts mention that Udayin was killed by an assassin of rival kingdom. Being childless, he was succeeded by Nanda who was selected by his ministers.
