Bimbisara

(d. 494 B.C.E.) King of Magadha, the
region corresponding to modern Bihar,
whose reign ended shortly before the
traditionally accepted date for the death
of the Buddha. Bimbisara was an energetic administrator who had designs on
ruling a much larger empire. To this end,
he tried to conquer and control large
parts of the Ganges basin. Bimbisara is
believed to have been the first king to
conceive of ruling a large empire,
although he was deposed and murdered
by his son Ajatashatru before he saw it
become a reality.