Magadha was an ancient kingdom located on the Indo-Gangetic plains in eastern India and spread over what is today the modern state of Bihar. At the height of its power, it claimed suzerainty over the entire eastern part of the country and ruled from its capital at Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar). The capital of Magadha was Girivraj (modern Rajgir, Bihar). This city was surrounded by rings of mountains and was, therefore, difficult to lay siege to. Later on Udayin made Patliputra his capital.