The emergence of Mahajanapadas and Magdh MCQ Questions and Answers

Sol. The capital of Magadha was initially Rajagriha, but it was later shifted to Patliputra by Ajatashatru for strategic and administrative reasons. Patliputra, located near the confluence of major rivers like the Ganga and Son, offered better connectivity, defense, and trade advantages, making it an ideal capital for expanding the empire.

Sol. Magadha’s success was influenced by multiple factors: its geographical advantage due to proximity to iron-rich areas vital during the Iron Age, strong weaponry that supported military dominance, and strategically located capitals like Rajagriha and Patliputra, which helped in defense and administration. The idea that no other power had the courage to attack is exaggerated and lacks historical support.

Sol. In the sixth century BC, Suktimati served as the capital of the Chedi Mahajanapada. It was one of the sixteen major states (Mahajanapadas) mentioned in early Buddhist texts, and its location provided it regional importance in central India.

Sol. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is often referred to as Padmapani, meaning “holder of the lotus.” He is associated with compassion and is one of the most revered figures in the Mahayana pantheon.

Sol. The concept and list of the sixteen Mahajanapadas are primarily found in ancient Buddhist texts such as the Anguttara Nikaya. These texts provide early political geography of the Indian subcontinent in the 6th century BCE.

Sol. The Vajji confederacy, with its capital at Vaishali, was a republican state known for its collective governance by a group of clans, notably the Lichchhavis. It is one of the earliest known examples of a republican form of government in ancient India.

Sol. Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nandas with the strategic and political support of Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), a brilliant economist and political thinker. Chanakya guided and mentored Chandragupta in establishing the Mauryan Empire.

Sol. The Lichchhavis, a prominent clan in the Vajji confederacy, are credited with establishing one of the earliest republics in the world at Vaishali. Their governance model was based on an assembly and council system, reflecting early democratic elements.

Sol. The list of the sixteen Mahajanapadas is found in the Anguttara Nikaya, a Buddhist scripture that categorizes these major states of early northern India. It serves as an important source for understanding the political landscape of ancient India.

Sol. The chronological order of the Magadhan dynasties is as follows: Haryankas were the earliest, followed by the Nandas, then the Mauryas, and finally the Sungas. This sequence represents the political transition and expansion of Magadha from a regional power to a vast empire.

Sol. When arranged from west to east, the Mahajanapadas follow this order: Avanti (located in western Madhya Pradesh), Matsya (modern-day Rajasthan), Kosala (eastern Uttar Pradesh), and Magadha (southern Bihar). This reflects the geographical spread from the western to the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Sol. The first statement is incorrect because Anga and Magadha were primarily located in the eastern part of the Gangetic valley, which is mainly a rice-growing region, not wheat. The second statement is correct—rice cultivation produced higher yields, supporting a denser population in eastern areas like Magadha. Therefore, only the first statement is not correct.

Sol. The Vajji Mahajanapada was a confederacy of eight republican clans, including the Lichchhavis. It had a unique form of governance that was based on collective leadership and decision-making, distinguishing it from monarchies of the time.

Sol. Both statements are correct. The list of sixteen Mahajanapadas is indeed found in the Anguttara Nikaya, a Buddhist text. The Asmaka Mahajanapada was the only southern state among the sixteen and was located on the bank of the Godavari River, in present-day Maharashtra.

Sol. Among the sixteen Mahajanapadas, Magadha emerged as the most powerful due to its strong economic base, strategic location, access to iron resources, and effective rulers. It later became the nucleus of major empires like the Mauryas and the Nandas.

Sol. The correct matching of kings with their kingdoms is:

Pradyota – Avanti
Udayana – Vatsa
Prasenjit – Kosala
Ajatshatru – Magadha

 This sequence corresponds to the code 3 2 4 1.

Sol. All listed dynasties—Haryanka, Sisunaga, and Nanda—ruled Magadha at different points in time. These dynasties laid the foundation for the region’s dominance and paved the way for the rise of the Mauryan Empire.

Sol. The most accurate statement is that both Buddhist and Jaina texts provide a list of sixteen Mahajanapadas, which were major territorial units in ancient India. The other statements are incorrect: not all Mahajanapadas were oligarchies—many were monarchies; they were spread across northern and central India, not just the east; and most of them did maintain armies for defense and expansion.

Sol. The correct pairings of Mahajanapadas with their capitals are as follows: Matsya – Virat, Asmaka – Potana, Anga – Champa, and Chedi – Shuktimati. These capital cities were significant administrative and political centers during the period of the sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Sol. Chandragupta Maurya’s reign is generally placed between 324 BC and 300 BC. He founded the Mauryan Empire with the guidance of Chanakya and established strong central authority after defeating the Nanda dynasty and later expanding his empire significantly.

Sol. Chandragupta Maurya became a follower of Jainism later in life. He abdicated the throne in favor of his son Bindusara and moved to Karnataka with the Jain monk Bhadrabahu, where he is believed to have fasted to death in accordance with the Jain tradition of sallekhana.