Pataliputra through time

Theme 4 · 600 to 300 BCE

Janapadas, Mahajanapadas and the second urbanisation

The later capital of Magadha

Theme 5 · 6th century BCE to 321 BCE

Persian and Greek invasions, and the rise of Magadha

Udayin moved the capital here; its riverine location suited imperial expansion

Theme 7 · 324 or 321 to 187 BCE

Mauryan empire

The imperial capital, Megasthenes' Palimbothra; the pillared halls at Kumhrar; the third Buddhist council met here