Magadha was a kingdom ruled by Vedic civilization kings. Jarasandha was the greatest among them during epic times. His capital was Rajagriha or Rajgir a modern hill resort in Bihar. Jarasandha's continuous assault on the Yadava kingdom of Surasena resulted in their withdrawal from central India to western India. Jarasandha was a threat not only for Yadavas but also for Kurus. Pandava Bhima killed him in a wrestling duel. Thus Yudhishthira, the Pandava king, could complete his campaign of bringing the whole of Indian kingdoms to his sway, release the imprisoned kings and start his preparations for the Rajsuya sacrifice.

Jarasandha had friendly relations with Chedi king Shishupala, Kuru king Duryodhana and Anga king Karna. After the epic age, in Kali Yuga, Magadha became the foremost of Indian kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the river Ganges. Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned almost the whole of India. This empire was formidable even to the Greek warrior Alexander.

Magadhas defeated by Bhishma

Having defeated all the Magadhas, the Kasis, and the Kosalas, Kuru warrior Bhishma brought away by force two maidens for Vichitravirya, the Kuru prince.

Magadha visited by Bhima during his military campaign

Bhima vanquished in battle the Submas and the Prasuhmas. And winning them over to his side, the son of Kunti, possessed of great strength, marched against Magadha. On his way he subjugated the monarchs known by the names of Danda and Dandadhara, And accompanied by those monarchs, the son of Pandu marched against Girivraja. After bringing the son of Jarasandha under his sway by conciliation and making him pay tribute, the hero then accompanied by the monarchs he had vanquished, marched against Kansa.