A region in India comprising the middle Ganges plains and the Chota Nagpur plateau in north-eastern India. The region had its ‘golden age’ during the evolution of early Indian civilization. Among its ancient kingdoms was Magadha, where both Gautama Buddha and the Jain Seer, Mahavira, preached. Its capital, Pataliputra (now Patna), was adopted by several notable empire builders, including the Mauryas and the Guptas. About 1200 it came under Muslim influence and remained subservient to the Delhi sultans until becoming a province of the Mogul empire in the 16th century. In 1765 British victories resulted in its amalgamation with Bengal and the introduction of indigo plantations.