Ajatashatru was the son of King Bimbisara of Magadha (modern day Bihar) and ruled during the time of Lord Buddha. He was a great warrior, who conquered 36 republican states surrounding his kingdom and firmly established the predominance of Magadha in Eastern India.The most important war waged by Ajatashatru to gain supremacy over his neighbours was that with the powerful Lichchhavi Republic, ruled democratically by a group of noblemen. They had a powerful leader in Chetaka, in whom Ajatashatru found a formidable adversary