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In the 6th century BC we see the consolidation of the previously existing polities called Janapadas. We now have Mahajanapadas. There were 16 such Mahajanapadas. Some were republics(Ganasanghas) and others were monarchies (Samrajya).

This period saw rapid increse of agricultural output aided by iron ploughshare and canal based irrigation. This led to the second urbanisation in India (the Indus Valley Civilisation being the first urbanisation). Thus, the Mahajanapadas were proper states with centralised administration, bureaucracy, policing, taxation, sovereignty, army and a powerful King, who was aided by councils and brahmins.

We also note the rise of more than 62 new schools or heterodox belief systems. There were four major schools of thought such as Ajivikism, Materialist schools(Ajita Kesakamilin and Charvaka), Buddhism and Jainism. Of these Buddhism and Jainism, still exist in India and many other countries. The rest, they either disappeared or merged into something else or morphed into something rent. We discuss Ajivikas and the materialists in this episode. Buddhism and Jainism would be covered in the next episode.