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.
