The Mahajanapadas were 16 powerful ancient Indian kingdoms or republics that emerged around the 6th century BCE, marking a shift from tribal areas to urbanized, centralized states with sophisticated administration and taxation systems, laying foundations for later empires like the Mauryas, with Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, and Vajji being prominent, featuring both monarchies and republics (Ganas/Sanghas)
sixteen great states:
Kosala
Kuru
Magadha
Malla
Matsya (or Maccha)
Panchala
Surasena
Vajji capital vaisali
Vatsa (or Vamsa)