ABSTRACT
The epics portray the importance of chariot in the life of the people in tune with the Vedic tradition. It seems that this continued in the Mahājanapada age, which lasted from about sixth century bc to fourth century bc, with some dilution. During this period, sixteen large states (Aṅga, Magadha, Kāśī, Kośala, Vajji, Malla, Cedi, Vaṁśa, Kuru, Pañcāla, Matsya Sūrasena, Assaka, Avantī, Kamboja and Gāndhāra) and ten autonomous clans (Śākyas, Bhagas, Bulis, Kālmas, Koliyas, Mallas (Pāvā) Mallas (Kuśinārā), Moriyas, Videhas and Licchavis) ruled over the country. 1
