Ajatashatru

Ajatashatru (; Pali: Ajatasattu; Kunika; ) was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in North India. He was the son of King Bimbisara. He was contemporary with Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. He took over the kingdom of Magadha from his father, forcefully by imprisoning him. He fought a war against Vajji, ruled by the Lichhavis, and conquered the republic of Vaishali. Ajatashatru followed policies of conquest and expansion. He defeated his neighbors 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.