Mahajanapadas MCQ (Set 1)
Master the history of the 16 Mahajanapadas (600 BC) with these 10 high-potential MCQs tailored for WBCS, UPSC, and SSC CGL aspirants. This quiz covers key capitals, rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, and the rise of Magadha. Check your real-time score in the Report Card below.
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1. Which Buddhist text provides the list of the 16 Mahajanapadas?
A) Anguttara Nikaya
B) Digha Nikaya
C) Vinaya Pitaka
D) Bhagavati Sutra
Explanation: The Buddhist text 'Anguttara Nikaya' gives the canonical list of the 16 Mahajanapadas. The Jain text 'Bhagavati Sutra' also lists them but with slightly different names.
2. Which was the only Mahajanapada located to the south of the Vindhya Range?
A) Avanti
B) Vatsa
C) Assaka/Ashmaka
D) Chedi
Explanation: Assaka (Capital: Potali) was situated on the banks of the Godavari river, making it the only southern Mahajanapada.
3. Who was the founder of the Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha?
A) Ajatashatru
B) Bimbisara
C) Udayin
D) Shishunaga
Explanation: Bimbisara (544 BC - 492 BC) founded the Haryanka dynasty and made Magadha a dominant power through matrimonial alliances and conquest.
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4. What was the capital of the Vajjis (Vriji) confederacy?
A) Rajgriha
B) Champa
C) Vaishali
D) Kaushambi
Explanation: Vaishali was the capital of the Vajji confederacy (a Gana-Sangha/Republic) and is considered one of the world's earliest republics.
5. King Pradyota, who was treated by Buddha's physician Jivaka, was the ruler of:
A) Avanti
B) Kosala
C) Magadha
D) Vatsa
Explanation: Pradyota (known as 'Chanda Pradyota') was the powerful king of Avanti. When he suffered from jaundice, Bimbisara sent his royal physician Jivaka to treat him.
6. Which Magadhan ruler shifted the capital from Rajgriha to Pataliputra?
A) Bimbisara
B) Ajatashatru
C) Udayin
D) Kalashoka
Explanation: Udayin, the son of Ajatashatru, laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra (modern Patna) at the confluence of the Son and Ganga rivers and shifted the capital there.
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7. The ancient city of 'Taxila' was the capital of which Mahajanapada?
A) Gandhara
B) Kamboja
C) Surasena
D) Matsya
Explanation: Taxila (Takshashila) was the capital of Gandhara (modern Peshawar/Rawalpindi). It became a famous center of learning.
8. Who is known as 'Kuniya' or 'Kunika' in historical texts?
A) Bimbisara
B) Ajatashatru
C) Mahapadma Nanda
D) Dhanananda
Explanation: Ajatashatru (492 BC - 460 BC) is referred to as 'Kunika' in Jain texts. He killed his father Bimbisara to ascend the throne.
9. Which Mahajanapada was famous for its excellent horses?
A) Kashi
B) Kosala
C) Kamboja
D) Malla
Explanation: Kamboja (located in the Hindukush region) was renowned in ancient times for its excellent breed of horses and horsemen.
10. The first Persian invasion of India (Gandhara region) was led by:
A) Cyrus
B) Darius I
C) Xerxes
D) Alexander
Explanation: Darius I (ruler of the Achaemenid Empire) invaded northwest India in 516 BC and annexed Punjab, making it his 20th Satrapy.
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