Kosala
Kosala was an ancient
Indian
Aryan kingdom, corresponding roughly in area with the region of
Oudh. Its capital was
Ayodhya. In sixth century BCE, Kosala formed one of the sixteen powerful realms of India (
Mahajanapadas) of Buddhist traditions, and its cultural and political strength earned it the status of
great power. However, it was later weakened by a series of wars with the neighboring kingdom of
Magadha and, in the 4th century BC, was finally absorbed by it.
Kosala was the setting of much
Sanskrit epic literature including the
Ramayana.
Buddha and
Mahavira, founder of
Jainism, taught in the kingdom. The King of Kosala was named King
Pasenadi, and who was a follower of Buddha.
