Kosala (redirected from Koshal)

Kosala (kō`sələ), ancient Indian kingdom, corresponding roughly in area with the region of Oudh. Its capital was Ayodhya. It was a powerful state in the 6th cent. B.C. but was weakened by a series of wars with the neighboring kingdom of Magadha and finally (4th cent. B.C.) 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.

---

Kosala

Ancient kingdom, northern India. Roughly corresponding to the historical region of Oudh, in what is now south-central Uttar Pradesh state, it extended into present-day Nepal. In the 6th century BC it rose to become one of the dominant states in northern India. The Buddha was born there. The kingdom of Magadha conquered Kosala by c. 459 BC, and it became known as Northern Kosala to distinguish it from a larger kingdom to the south known variously as Kosala, Southern Kosala, or Great Kosala.

---

Kosala 

a state and historic region in ancient India, located north of the middle course of the Ganges River (corresponding to the later region of Oudh). It apparently arose in the seventh to the early sixth century B.C. At the end of the sixth century a number of neighboring regions, particularly Kasi, came under Kosala’s dominion. In the fifth century B.C., under King Prasenajit, Kosaia was forced after a long struggle to accept vassalage to the king of Magadha, Ajatasatru. Later, the sources cease to mention Kosaia as a political entity.