Ajatashatru was the son of King Bimbisara and the ruler of Magadha. In Sanskrit, Ajatashatru means 'victor over enemy'. He extended the border of Magadha Empire further towards the north and the west. He killed his father in 493 BC to become the king of Magadha. Ajatashatru strengthened his capital, Rajagriha, and built a small fort there. He also annexed Koshala which was the kingdom of his maternal uncle. He ruled from 491 BC to 461 BC.