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Vatsyayana was from Pataliputra. Where exactly was this city, and
does anyone have any information on it?
Thank you, Patrick
Ah, reading up on the Kamasutra eh ? Surprised that you haven't
encountered Pataliputra if you've read any ancient history of India.
Pataliputra is now part of Patna the capital of the state of Bihar
with the Ganga as its northern border. It was constructed by
Ajatsatru, the ruler of Magadha to effectively wage war against
Vaishali and the Licchavis of northern Bihar across the Ganga. It
subsequently became the capital of Magadha which constituted the
largest empire in all of the Indian subcontinent and dominated the
political scene until the Guptas, also descended from rulers of
Magadha, moved the capital to Ayodhya and then Kannauj in western UP.
At its height, when it drove the Greeks out of north-western India,
Magadha extended all the way to Afghanistan.
So I would say that Pataliputra was one of the most significant cities
from about 600 BC to 500 AD. Ironically Ajatshatru was attacking the
regions where the Buddha was born during the Buddha's own lifetime,
even met him and used his advice against the Licchavis. Buddha was
enlightened at Gaya, close to Rajgir, Magadha's older capital. That's
largely the reason for the influx of tourists in Bihar, as the state
is quite impoverished today.
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