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'Kosala' (Sanskrit: कोशल) was an ancient Indian Aryan kingdom, corresponding roughly in area with the region of Oudh. In sixth century BCE, Kosala formed one of the sixteen powerful realms of India (Mahajanapadas) of Buddhist traditions, and its cultural and political strength earned it the status of great power. Shravasti was the capital of Kosala Kingdom between 6th century BC to 6th century AD. However, it was later weakened by a series of wars with the neighboring kingdom of Magadha and, in the 4th century BC, was finally absorbed by it.
Kosala was the setting of much Sanskrit epic literature including the Ramayana, being ruled by the Raghuvamsa (Dynasty of Raghu) the family from which Rama hails. Buddha and Mahavira, founder of Jainism, taught in the kingdom. The King of Kosala was named King Pasenadi, and who was a follower of Buddha.