According to the 7th century Chinese monk Xuanzang, Bimbisara built the city of Rajgir (Rajagriha).

[15] He established the Haryanka dynasty and laid the foundations of Magadha with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of Pataliputra.

He led a military campaign against Anga, perhaps to avenge his father's earlier defeat at the hands of its king, Brahmadatta.

The campaign was successful, Anga was annexed, and prince Kunika (Ajatashatru) was appointed governor at Champa.

[15] His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).

[22] This marriage also ended the hostility between Magadha and Kosala and gave him a free hand in dealing with the other states.

[15] As per Buddhism, due to influence by Devadatta (a Buddhist monk), Bimbisāra was assassinated by his son Ajatashatru in c. 493 BCE, who then succeeded him to the throne.

[30][31] It is further written, that he will be reborn as Mahapadma (sometimes called Padmanabha), the first in the chain of future tirthankaras who are to rise at the beginning of the upward motion (Utsarpini) of the next era of time.