ICSE Class 6 Answered

Bimbisara was the first important king of the kingdom of Magadha and ruled it for 52 long years. He made Magadha the most powerful kingdom through military conquests and matrimonial alliances which in turn resulted in extensive expansion of his territories. He conquered the kingdom of Anga and brought the river port of Champa under his direct political control. This enabled the development of a flourishing maritime trade which in turn increased the economic might of Magadha. The deposits of iron ore found in this region further reinforced this process. Hence, under Bimbisara, Magadha became a major power of its times.