Test your knowledge related to Mahajanpada Period (600-325 BC) and boost your preparation with following the previous year’s questions asked in different civil service exams on this topic. Let’s start!
Mahajanpada Period (600-325 BC): Key Facts
- The earliest extant (oldest surviving) coins of India were made of silver and are called Punch-marked or Aahat coins.
- The list of the 16 Mahajanapadas is found in the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya and the Jain text Bhagwati Sutra.
- The 6th century BC was a period of great religious upheaval globally; in India, Vedic religion had become very complex.
Key Rulers and Their Kingdoms
- Pradyota / Chand-Pradyota: Ruler of Avanti (capital: Ujjain). Contemporary of Buddha and Bimbisara.
- Udayan: Ruler of Vatsa (capital: Kaushambi). Legend of Udayan-Vasavadatta is associated with Ujjain.
- Prasenjit: Ruler of Kosala.
- Ajatshatru: Ruler of Magadha (Haryanka dynasty). Killed his father, Bimbisara; was killed by his own son Udayin.
- Chetak: King of the Lichchhavi republic (part of the Vajji confederacy).
- Mahendra: Ruler of Kosala mentioned in Samudragupta’s “Prayag Prashasti”.
- Mahapadma Nanda: Founder of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha. Known as Sarakshatrantaka and Aparo Parashurama (Second Parasurama).
- Jivaka: Famous physician; associated with the court of King Bimbisara of Magadha.
Capitals of Mahajanapadas
- Anga: Champa
- Magadha: Initially Rajgriha (Girivraja), later moved to Pataliputra by Udayin.
- Kosala: Shravasti (crescentic town shape) and Saket.*
- Vatsa: Kaushambi*
- Avanti: Ujjain (ancient name: Avantika)
- Chedi: Suktimati (or Sotthivati)*
- Kuru: Indraprastha and Hastinapur
- Panchala:
- North Panchala: Ahichhatra
- South Panchala: Kampilya
- Matsya: Viratnagar (Bairat); located in Rajasthan.
- Surasena: Mathura
- Ashmaka (Assaka): Potan/Potil (Paithan); located on the bank of the river Godavari.*
Republics (Ganas)
-
The Lichchhavis of Vaishali established the first republican system in the world.
-
Other early republics included the Shakyas of Kapilavastu, Mallas of Kusinara/Pava, and Bhaggas.
The Rise of Magadha
-
The Magadha Empire rose in the 6th century BC under Bimbisara.
-
Udayin (Haryanka dynasty) founded Pataliputra at the confluence of the Son and Ganga rivers.
-
Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler to make Pataliputra the capital of his empire.
-
Sisunaga extended Magadhan power over the Malwa region (Avanti).
-
The chronological order of Magadhan dynasties: Haryanka -> Nanda -> Maurya -> Shunga.
Other Important Facts
-
A Nanda king (likely Mahapadma) dug a canal in Kalinga (evidence: Hathigumpha inscription).
-
8 out of the 16 Mahajanapadas were located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
-
The ancient city of Viratnagar (Bairat) is mentioned in both the Mahabharata and Mahabhashya.
-
The town of Kalpi is situated on the bank of the Yamuna river.
-
The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela provides evidence of the Nanda dynasty.
1. The earliest extant coins of India were of –
(a) Copper
(b) Gold
(c) Lead
(d) Silver
[U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]
Ans. (d) Silver
- The oldest coins from India were made of silver and had marks from a stamp, so they are referred to as Aahat coins or Punch-marked coins.
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2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists:
List-I List-II
(King) (State)
| A. Pradyot |
1. Magadha |
| B. Udyan |
2. Vatsa |
| C. Prasenjit |
3. Avanti |
| D. Ajatshatru |
4. Kosala |
Code :
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 3 2 4 1
(d) 4 1 3 2
[U.P. Lower (Spl) (Pre) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (c) 3 2 4 1
- The Pali scriptures show that Pradyot was the ruler of Avanti, Udayana was the ruler of Vatsa Mahajanpada, Prasenjit was from Kosal, and Ajatshatru was the ruler Magadha.
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3. Chand-pradyota was the ruler of which ancient republic?
(a) Kasi
(b) Anga
(c) Avanti
(d) Vajji
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
Ans. (c) Avanti
- Pradyota was the ruler of the Avanti.
- Pradyota dynasty, also called Prthivim Bhoksyanti.
- Prodyota had two sons, Gopala and Palaka. He was succeeded by Palaka.
- Pradyotas of Avanti won Magadha and ruled there for 138 years from 799-684 BCE.
- His father was Punika, a minister in Ujjain. He killed the last ruler of the Brihadratha dynasty Ripunjaya and placed his son Pradyota on the throne to found the Pradyota dynasty in 682 BCE.
- Pradyota was contemporary to Gautama Buddha and Bimbisara.
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4. What was the name of the ruler of Kosala in Samudragupta’s “Prayag Prashasti”?
(a) Shiv Gupta
(b) Someshwar Deo
(c) Mahendra
(d) Mahipal
(e) None of these
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (c) Mahendra
- The Samudragupta’s “Prayag prashasti” mentions the name of the ruler of Kosala, Mahendra.
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5. The epigraphical evidence reveals that under the instructions of a Nanda king, a canal was dug:
(a) Anga
(b) Vanga
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) Kalinga
- The Hathigumpha inscription shows that King Mahapadmananda of the Nanda Empire won a battle in Kalinga.
- It also states that the king took the statue of King Jinsen and put in place a canal in Kalinga.
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6. What was the ancient name of Ujjain?
(a) Taxila
(b) Indraprastha
(c) Avantika
(d) None of above.
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (c) Avantika
- Ujjain is a city in Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is an old city that was one of the two main cities of Avanti, which was one of 16 major kingdoms in the area.
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7. Matsya Mahajanapada of 6th Century B.C. was located in:
(a) Western Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Bundelkhand
(d) Rohilkhand
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) Rajasthan
- The Matsya Mahajanapada was situated in the area around Jaipur, which is in the state of Rajasthan.
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8. How many Mahajanapadas were located in present-day Uttar Pradesh among the oldest sixteen Mahajanapadas of India?
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8
(d) 9
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre.) 2021]
Ans (c) 8
- Of the 16 Mahajanapadas, 8 were located in modern-day Uttar Pradesh.
- Kuru (Their capital, Hastinapura/Indraprastha, was near modern-day Delhi/Meerut)
- Panchala (Capital: Ahichchhatra & Kampilya, in modern-day Bareilly and Farrukhabad districts)
- Kosala (Capital: Shravasti, near modern-day Bahraich district)
- Kashi (Capital: Varanasi)
- Vatsa (or Vamsa) (Capital: Kausambi, near modern-day Prayagraj)
- Malla (One of their capitals was Kushinara (Kushinagar))
- Chedi (Their capital, Suktimati, is often placed in the Banda district of UP)
- Shurasena (Capital: Mathura)
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9. The ancient city is mentioned in the Mahabharata and Mahabhashya both –
(a) Madhyamika (Nagari)
(b) Karkot
(c) Viratnagar (Bairat)
(d) Raidh
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (*)
- Viratnagar was set up by King Virat and it was the capital of Matsya Kingdom wheren Pandava’s lived in 13th year of their exile.
- Madhyamika (or Nagari) was an ancient city near modern Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, mentioned in the Mahabharata, where Nakula conquered the Vatadhanas
- Both the Mahabharata and Mahabhashya (written by Patanjali) mention both of these cities.
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10. Who founded Pataliputra –
(a) Udayin
(b) Ashoka
(c) Bimbisara
(d) Mahapadmanada
[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Udayin
- Udayin, the successor of Ajatshatru, created Pataliputra by constructing a fort at the junction of the Son and Ganga rivers.
- This became the capital of the Magadha Empire, which replaced Rajgriha.
- It was also the capital of the Sisunaga dynasty, Nanda dynasty, and Maurya dynasty.
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11. Which ruler had made Pataliputra the capital of his empire for the first time?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Ashoka the Great
(c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(d) Kanishka
[42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (a) Chandragupta Maurya
- Udayin, a king of the Haryanka dynasty, is credited with founding the city of Pataliputra and moving the capital from Rajgir to this new strategic location around 490 BCE. However, the question asks about making it the capital of an empire.
- Chandragupta Maurya established Mauryan Empire with its capital at Pataliputra.
- Kanishka was the emperor of the Kushan Empire (c. 127-150 CE). His main capitals were Purushapura (modern Peshawar, Pakistan) and Mathura (in Uttar Pradesh).
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12. Who among the following kings had founded Pataliputra?
(a) Sisunaga
(b) Bimbisara
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Udayin
[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (d) Udayin
- Udayin, the leader of the Haryanka dynasty, built Pataliputra at the point where the Son and Ganga rivers meet and changed his main residence from Rajgriha to Pataliputra.
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13. By which ruler Pataliputra was chosen as the capital for the first time?
(a) Ajatashatru
(b) Kalashoka
(c) Udayin
(d) Kanishka
[46th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (c) Udayin
- Udyain, the leader of the Haryanka dynasty, built Pataliputra at the intersection of the Son and Ganga rivers and moved his government from Rajgriha to Pataliputra.
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14. The Legend of Udayan-Vasavadatta is related to
(a) Ujjain
(b) Mathura
(c) Mahishmati
(d) Kaushambi
[U.P. Lower (Spl) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Ujjain
- This story about Udayan and Vasavadatta is associated with the city of Ujjain.
- The poet Bhas wrote about their love story in his play “Svapnavasavadattam”.
- This happened during the time when Udayan was held in prison in Ujjain.
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15. In which century did the first Magadha Empire rise?
(a) Fourth Century B.C.
(b) Sixth Century B.C.
(c) Second Century B.C.
(d) First Century B.C.
[42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (b) Sixth Century B.C.
- The Magadha Empire began to grow in the sixth century B.C. and was founded by King Bimbisara, who lived from around 544 to 492 B.C. and was part of the Haryanka dynasty.
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16. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city-state in India in the 6th century B.C.?
(a) Gandhar
(b) Kamboj
(c) Kashi
(d) Magadha
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (d) Magadha
- Magadha was a very strong city in the early 600s B.C.
- It was one of the wealthiest and most successful of the Mahajanapada group.
- Magadha and Kosala, Anga, and Kashi were constantly competing for control.
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17. Which was the first capital of ancient Mahajanapada Magadh?
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Vaishali
(c) Champa
(d) Anga
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[66th B.P.S.C. (Pre.) 2020]
Ans. (e) None of the above/More than one of the above
- Magadha was an old kingdom in the south of Bihar.
- Initially, its main city was Rajagriha (now known as Rajgir).
- When Udayin (from the Haryanka dynasty) was in charge, the capital was transferred to Patliputra.
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18. Which one was not in the earlier Republic?
(a) Shakya
(b) Lichchhavi
(c) Yaudheya
(d) All of the above
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]
Ans. (*)
- During the time of the Buddha there were many republics, such as Shakya of Kapilavastu, Bhagga of Sumsuma Giri, Buli of Alkappa, Kalam of Kesaputta, Koliyas of Ramgarh, Malla of Kusinara, Malla of Pava, Moriya of Pippali Van, Lichchhavi of Vaishali and Videha of Mithila.
- The Yaudheyas were an ancient, warlike republic (gaṇa-saṅgha) of warriors in ancient India as acknowledged in the Junagadh Rock Inscription.
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19. By whom the first republic of the world was established in Vaishali –
(a) Maurya
(b) Nanda
(c) Gupta
(d) Lichchhavi
[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (d) Lichchhavi
- The Lichchhavi dynasty from the city of Vaishali set up the first republic in the world.
- Vaishali was named after King Vishal from the Mahabharata story.
- It is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage spot and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.
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21. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Parsvanath – Janatrika
(b) Bindusara-Shakya
(c) Skandagupta-Maurya
(d) Chetak-Lichchhavi
[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2013]
Ans. (d) Chetak-Lichchhavi
- King Chetak was the leader of the Lichchhavi Republic.
- His daughter Chelana wed the King of Magadha, Bimbisara.
- The Lichchhavi were part of the Vajji group of clans.
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22. Which Buddha text has described 16 Mahajanpads of the 6th century B.C.?
(a) Digha Nikaya
(b) Tripitaka
(c) Deepavansh
(d) Anguattar Nikaya
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (d) Anguttara Nikaya
- In the 6th century BCE, the Buddhist text ‘Anguttara Nikaya’ and the Jain text Bhagwati Sutra both mentioned 16 Mahajanapadas.
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26. 16 Janapadas of the age of Mahajanapada have often been mentioned in the Buddhist literature which of the following Janapadas has been mentioned by Panini in his Ashtadhyayi?
A. Magadh
B. Ashmak
C. Kamboj
D. Chedi
E. Vatsa
Code :
(a) A, B, and C
(b) D and E
(c) C, D, and E
(d) A, C, D, and E
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Re. Exam) (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (a) A, B, and C
- Panini was born in Pushkalavati, Gandhara, and is famous for his Sanskrit grammar.
- The Ashtadhyayi is an early grammar of Sanskrit which has 4,000 rules divided into eight chapters.
- He listed 22 Janapadas and three main provinces – Magadha, Ashmak, and Kamboj.
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27. The capital of North Panchal, according to Mahabharata, was located at :
(a) Hastinapur
(b) Indraprastha
(c) Ahichhatra
(d) Mathura
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]
Ans. (c) Ahichhatra
- The city of Ahichhatra was the main city of Northern Panchala, and Kampilya was the main city of Southern Panchala.
- The capital of the Kuru people was Hastinapur Indraprastha and Math.
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28. During the period of 16 Mahajanapadas, Mathura was the capital of –
(a) Vajji
(b) Vatsa
(c) Kashi
(d) Surasena
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (d) Surasena
- The city of Ahichhatra was the main city in Northern Panchala, and Kampilya was the main city in Southern Panchala.
- Hastinapura and Indraprastha were the main cities in Kuru while Mathura was the capital of Surasena.
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29. Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Kamboj – Rajpur/Hatak
(b) Ashmak – Potan/Potil
(c) Sursen – Kaushambi
(d) Koshal – Shravasti
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (c) Sursen – Kaushambi
- Sursen was a leader who ruled Mathura a long time ago.
- The other options given are correct.
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30. Champa was the capital of Mahajanapada.
(a) Magadha
(b) Vajji
(c) Kosala
(d) Anga
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (d) Anga
- Champa was the main city of Anga Mahajanapada and took up the area of modern-day Munger and Bhagalpur in Bihar.
- After some time, Bimbisara took it over and it became part of Magadha, which was located in the west.
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31. In the sixth century B.C. Suktimati was the capital of
(a) Panchala
(b) Kuru
(c) Chedi
(d) Avanti
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (c) Chedi
- In the 600s BC, Chedi Mahajanapada was found in the area that is now known as Bundelkhand and the nearby regions.
- The capital was called ‘Sotthivati’.
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32. Mahajanapada situated on the bank of river Godavari was-
(a) Avanti
(b) Vatsa
(c) Assaka
(d) Kamboja
[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) Assaka
- According to Buddhist and Jain texts, the region named ‘Assaka’ or ‘Ashmaka’ was situated between the Godavari and Narmada rivers in the 6th century.
- Its capital city was called Paithan/Potan or Potali (which had the old name Prathist).
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33. Which was the capital of Magadha?
(a) Pratishthan
(b) Vaishali
(c) Rajgriha
(d) Champa
[47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (c) Rajgriha
- Rajgriha was the first city to be the capital of Magadha.
- The first Buddhist Council was held there, and Lord Mahavir gave his first sermon there.
- The Brihadratha dynasty was the first to rule over Magadha, and their son Jarasandha made Rajgir (Girivraja) his capital.
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34. Which was the initial capital of Magadha?
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Vaishali
(c) Girivraja (Rajgriha)
(d) Champa
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (c) Girivraja (Rajgriha)
- Pulakesin II was a very strong ruler of the Chalukyas, ruling from 610 to 642 AD.
- The Aihole inscription tells us about his great accomplishments.
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35. Which one of the following was not the capital of the Magadha Empire?
(a) Girivraja
(b) Rajgriha
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Kaushambi
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (d) Kaushambi
- In ancient times, Girivraja and Pataliputra were the capitals of the Magadha Empire, while Kaushambi was governed by the Vatsa state.
- During the Haryanka dynasty, the capital of Magadha was moved from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.
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36. What is the town configuration of ancient Shravasti?
(a) Circular
(b) Crescentic
(c) Triangular
(d) Quadratic
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (b) Crescentic
- In 1861, Alexander Cunningham found the old Shravasti, which is now known as Shravasti, located near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh.
- Archaeological excavations revealed that Shravasti had a crescent shape.
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37. Which initial ruler of Magadha killed his father for enthroning and also was killed by his son for the same reason?
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ajatshatru
(c) Udayin
(d) Nagdashak
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]
Ans. (b) Ajatshatru
- Ajatashatru, the ruler of Magadha from 492-460 BC, killed his own father, Bimbisara, who founded the Haryanka dynasty, to take his throne.
- He was then killed by his own son, Udayin, for the same reason.
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38. What was the name of the dynasty of Ajatshatru?
(a) Maurya
(b) Haryanka
(c) Nanda
(d) Gupta
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) Haryanka
- Ajatashatru, who ruled Magadha from 492-460 BC, killed his father Bimbisara, the founder of the Haryanka dynasty, in order to take the throne.
- He was later killed by his son Udayin for the same reason.
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39. The Prince who was responsible for the death of his father was-
(a) Ajatashatru
(b) Chanda Pradyota
(c) Prasenjit
(d) Udayan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (a) Ajatashatru
- Ajatashatru, the ruler of Magadha from 492-460 BC, murdered his father Bimbisara, the founder of the Haryanka dynasty, to take the throne.
- His own son, Udayin, eventually killed him for the same reason.
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40. The power of Magadha was extended over the Malwa region during the reign period of –
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ajatshatru
(c) Udayabhadra
(d) Sisunaga
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (d) Sisunaga
- The Matsya Puranas say that the ruler of Magadha, Sisunaga, took control of Avanti (Malwa) by defeating Nandivardhan.
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41. Which dynasty ruled over Magadha after the Nanda Dynasty?
(a) Maurya
(b) Shunga
(c) Gupta
(d) Kushana
[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (a) Maurya
- The Nanda dynasty of Magadha was started after the Shishunaga dynasty ended.
- There were nine kings in the Nanda dynasty: Ugrasen, Panduk, Pandugadi, Bhootpal, Rashtrapal, Govishanak, Dashasiddhak, Kaivart, and Dhanananda.
- People were unhappy at the end of the Nanda dynasty due to the high taxes they had to pay on small items.
- Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya took advantage of this and killed Dhanan.
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42. Which inscription is the evidence of King Nand?
(a) Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela
(b) Rummindei pillar inscription
(c) Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman
(d) Ayodhya inscription of Dhandeva.
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (a) Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela
- Kharvel was a hugely important ruler of the Chedi dynasty in Kalinga.
- The Hathigumpha inscription gives us lots of information about his rule.
- It tells us that Kharvel ordered the building of canals in Kalinga.
- It’s the first record of canals being built.
- It also mentions that he donated villages to Jain monks and that he was victorious against the Chola, Chera, and Pandya states in the south.
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43. Arrange the following Magadhan dynasties in chronological order
1. Nandas
2. Sungas
3. Mauryas
4. Haryana
Choose the answer from the following codes :
(a) 2, 1, 4 and 3
(b) 4, 1, 3 and 2
(c) 3, 2, 1 and 4
(d) 1, 3, 4 and 2
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) 4, 1, 3 and 2
- These kingdoms were in the following order:
- Haryanka from 544 to 412 BC
- Nanda from 344 to 321 BC
- Mauryan from 321 to 184 BC
- Sunga from 184 to 75 BC
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44. Which King of Magadha is known as Aparo Parashurama?
(a) Bindusara
(b) Ajatasatru
(c) Kalasoka
(d) Mahapadma Nanda
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (d) Mahapadma Nanda
- After the Shishunaga dynasty, the Nanda dynasty took over the rule of Magadha.
- Mahapadma Nanda (also known as Ugrasen) was the founder of the Nanda dynasty.
- He was referred to as Sarakshatrantaka and Aparo Parashurama in Puranas.
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45. Who was the founder of the Nanda Dynasty in Magadha?
(a) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Dhanananda
(c) Nandivardhan
(d) Mahanandin
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) Mahapadma Nanda
- After the Shishunaga dynasty had ruled Magadha, the Nanda dynasty took over.
- Ugrasen, also known as Mahapadma Nanda, Sarvakshatrantaka, and Aparo Parashurama in Puranas.
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46. Read the statements (A) and (B) and choose the correct answer from the code given below :
(A) The sixth century B.C. was a period of great religious upheaval in all parts of the world.
(B) The Vedic religion had become very complex.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (B) are false.
(b) Both (A) and (B) are true.
(c) (A) is true, while (B) is false.
(d) (A) is false, while (B) is true.
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
Ans. (b) Both (A) and (B) are true.
- In the 6th century BC, different types of religion began to develop in the area of Ganga in northern India.
- This was because of the emergence of new thoughts and beliefs.
- People of different faiths started to argue with one another about their beliefs.
- This kind of intellectual movement also happened in other countries, such as China, Iran, and Greece.
- Confucius, Zarathustra, and Pythagoras were people who questioned traditional ideas in those countries.
- Vedic religion became more complicated and there was more focus on rituals and sacrifices.
- This caused the importance of priests to grow and more money was spent on rituals and animal sacrifices.
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47. Jivaka, the famous physician of the time of Mahatma Buddha was associated with the court of –
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Chanda Pradyota
(c) Prasenjit
(d) Udyana
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (a) Bimbisara
- Jivaka, a well-known doctor from history, was connected to the court of King Bimbisara.
- To offer medical help, Bimbisara asked Jivaka to visit the ruler of Avanti, King Chanda Pradyota.
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48. The town of Kalpi is situated on the bank of the river –
(a) Ganga
(b) Yamuna
(c) Narmada
(d) Krishna
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]
Ans. (b) Yamuna
- Kalpi is a town located in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, near the Yamuna River.
- In ancient times, it was known as Kalpriya and was built by King Vasudeva in the 4th century B.C.
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49. Match List-I (A) with List-II (B) and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:
List-I List-II
(Ancient Places of U.P.) (Capital)
| A. Kuru |
1. Saket |
| B. Panchal |
2. Kaushambi |
| C. Kosala |
3. Ahichhatra |
| D. Vatsa |
4. Indraprastha |
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 1 2
(c) 3 4 2 1
(d) 4 2 3 1
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (b) 4 3 1 2
- The location of 16 Mahajanapadas of the 6th century B.C. is found in the Buddhist text “Anguttara Nikaya” and the Jain text “Bhagavati Sutra”.
- The correctly matched list of Mahajanapadas and their Capitals is as follows:
| Mahajanapadas |
Capitals |
| A. Kuru |
Indraprastha |
| B. Panchal |
Ahichhatra |
| C. Kosala |
Saket |
| D. Vatsa |
Kaushambi |
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50. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists:
List–I List-II
(Mahajanapadas) (Capitals)
| A. Matsya |
1. Mathura |
| B. Kuru |
2. Potan |
| C. Sursena |
3. Virat Nagar |
| D. Asmak |
4. Indraprastha |
Code :
A B C D
(a) 4 2 1 3
(b) 3 1 4 2
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 2 3 4 1
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]
Ans. (c) 3 4 1 2
- The correct match of List-I with List-II is as follows:-
List–I List-II
(Mahajanapadas) (Capitals)
| A. Matsya |
Virat Nagar |
| B. Kuru |
Indraprastha |
| C. Sursena |
Mathura |
| D. Asmak |
Potan |
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51. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
(a) Anga- Champa
(b) Kosala – Ahichhatra
(c) Vatsa – Kaushambi
(d) Matsya – Viratnagar
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (b) Kosala – Ahichhatra
- The main cities of the Kosala kingdom were Saket and Shravasti.
- All other choices are correct.
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52. Which of the following is not correctly matched? Early Medieval Present Status Cities of Uttar Pradesh
(a) Koil – Aligarh
(b) Mahotsav Nagar – Mahoba
(c) Mahoday Shree – Kannauj
(d) Jaijakbhukti – Kaushambi
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre.) 2021]
Ans (d) Jaijakbhukti – Kaushambi
- Koil used to be the old name of Aligarh.
- People from Kampilya settled in Kampilgarh, which is now Aligarh.
- Mahotsav Nagar was the former name of Mahoba, meaning ‘the city of great festivals’.
- Mahodaya Shree was the original name of Kannauj, which was once the capital of Harsha’s empire.
- Jejakabhukti is the old name.
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53. Who was the last King of the Karnata dynasty?
(a) Harisimha Dev
(b) Ramsimha
(c) Matisimha
(d) Shyamsimha
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) Harisimha Dev
- Harisimha Dev was the last ruler of the Karnata Dynasty.
- He was very fond of art and literature and was the creator of the Panji system.
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