Test: Emergence of Mahajanapadas - UPSC MCQ

There were 16 mahajanpadas-

1. Kasi
2. Kosala
3. Anga
4. Magadha
5. Vajji
6. Malla
7. Chedi
8. Vatsa
9. Kuru
10. Panchala
11. Matsya
12. Surasena
13. Assaka
14. Avanti
15. Gandhara
16. Kamboja

Magadha, located in Bihar, was one of the most powerful Mahajanapadas, known for its strong rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.

Vajji was renowned for its unique republican system of government, which was a confederacy of eight clans.

• Kosala was one of the ancient Mahajanapadas located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
• It was ruled by King Prasenajit, who was a significant figure in the region.
• Kosala played a crucial role in the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.
• Other Mahajanapadas like Vatsa, Magadha, and Kashi were also important but were distinct regions.

Vatsa, in Uttar Pradesh, was known for its patronage of Buddhism during the time of Buddha.

Magadha, with its capital at Rajagriha, was significant in both Jainism and Buddhism.

Avanti, located in Madhya Pradesh, was ruled by King Mahapadma Nanda, who expanded its territories significantly.

Some popular Mahajanapadas were Anga, Magadha, Kashi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Asmaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kambhoja. Lichachavis, Mallas, Shakyas, Vajji were some of the important republics.

Pradyota was the ruler of the ancient Indian Mahajanapada Avanti. Pradyota dynasty, also called prthivim bhoksyanti, is an ancient Indian dynasty, which ruled over Avanti in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

Magadha, under King Jarasandha, was a powerful kingdom but had conflicts with Lord Krishna and other neighboring kingdoms.

Anga, situated in Bihar, allied with Magadha against the Vajji confederacy during ancient times.

Vatsa, under King Udayana, had friendly relations with Lord Buddha and was located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.

Kosala, with its capital at Sravasti, was a prominent Mahajanapada situated in present-day Uttar Pradesh.

Vajji, situated in Bihar, was known for its prosperity and was one of the important Mahajanapadas.

Avanti, located in Madhya Pradesh, was ruled by King Pradyota and was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas.