Kosala , ancient kingdom Northern India , roughly corresponds to the historical region of Oudh in present-day south-central State of Uttar Pradesh . Kosala spanned both banks of the Sarayu River (modern Ghaghara ) and northward to what is now Nepal. Based on the Hindu epic Ramayana Kosala was ruled by kings descended from the sun. One of these kings was Rama, whose capital was Ayodhya (Oudh) near modern Faizabad was .
Kosala won at the beginning of the 6th century v . Ch. An political importance and became one of the 16 dominant states in North India. It annexed the powerful kingdom of Kashi. Around 500 v . Chr . It was considered one of the four powers of the north - perhaps the dominant power - during the reign of King Prasenajit (Pasenadi). At that time, Kosala could control the trade routes of the Ganges (Ganga) . The Buddha who lives in the Shakya (Sakiya) tribe of northern Kosala ( approx. 563 v. Chr. ) was born , often preached in the capital Shravasti (Savatthi), where he spent the last 25 years of his life during the rainy season.
There had been a marital alliance between Kosala and Kosala Magadha , but about 490 v. broke in war between them. As a result, Kosala appeared to have been weakened and never regained his position of control. Kosala was absorbed into Magadha sometime during the reign of the latter king Ajatashatru ( c. 491- c. 459 vdZ ).
In later times Kosala was known as North Kosala to distinguish it from a large southern kingdom known as Kosala, South Kosala or Greater Kosala at the top Mahanadi River (today in eastern State Madhya Pradesh ) is known. This latter kingdom with its capital Sripura (later Sripur, Raipur) became according to Ramayana founded by Rama's son Kusha and was until the 12th century ce known by that name .