Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Territorial States & The First Magadhan Empire - UPSC MCQ

• The Lichchhavis were indeed associated with Vaishali.
• The Magadhas were associated with the region around Rajgir.
• The Shakyas were based around Kapilvastu.
• The Kurus were associated with regions in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, not Ujjain, making pair 4 incorrect.

1. The Mahajanapadas were large territorial states that formed before the rise of the Magadha Empire.

   • This statement is incorrect. The Mahajanapadas were indeed large territorial states, but many of them were contemporaneous with the rise of the Magadha Empire rather than preceding it. Magadha was one of the most prominent Mahajanapadas.

2. The use of iron for weapons and agricultural tools was crucial for the development of the Mahajanapadas.

   • This statement is correct. The introduction of iron technology played a significant role in the agricultural productivity and military capabilities of the Mahajanapadas, contributing to their expansion and development.

3. The Kingdom of Kashi was absorbed by Magadha during the expansion of the Magadha Empire.

   • This statement is correct. The Kingdom of Kashi (Varanasi) was indeed one of the kingdoms that fell under the control of Magadha as it expanded its influence.

Based on this analysis:

• Statement 1: Incorrect
• Statement 2: Correct
• Statement 3: Correct

Thus, two statements are correct. Therefore, the answer is:

c) Only two.

• Magadha's earliest capital was Rajgir, not Pataliputra, making statement 1 incorrect.
• Statement 2 is correct as Rajgir's geographical positioning made it a fortified and strategically significant capital.
• The agricultural fertility of Magadha was due to its location in the immensely fertile alluvial soil of the middle Gangetic plain, not arid regions, so statement 3 is incorrect.

• Vaishali was indeed the capital of the Vajji Confederacy, making pair 1 correct.
• Ujjain was the capital of Avanti, so pair 2 is correct.
• Champa was the capital of Anga, which means pair 3 is correct.
• Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa, not Kashi, making pair 4 incorrect.

• Bimbisara indeed used marriage alliances strategically, which is correct.
• The Nanda dynasty preceded, not succeeded, the Maurya dynasty, making statement 2 incorrect.
• Elephants were indeed used by Magadha in warfare before the Mauryan era, making statement 3 correct.

• Shravasti was an important city in the kingdom of Koshala.
• Rajgir was indeed a capital and notable city of Magadha.
• Mahishmati, although less frequently mentioned, was part of the southern region of Avanti.
• Kushinara was the capital of the Mallas and is significant for being the place where Gautama Buddha passed away.

• The assertion is true as elephants were a critical part of Magadha's military strategy.
• The reason correctly explains one of the reasons elephants were so effective, providing a psychological edge, making it a correct explanation of the assertion.

• The Shishunaga dynasty did indeed end the rivalry with Avanti by conquering it, making statement 1 correct.
• Mahapadma Nanda did expand Magadha by conquering Kalinga and claiming to be the sole sovereign, so statement 2 is correct.
• Alexander the Great did not advance into the Magadhan empire, primarily because of the formidable reputation of the Nanda dynasty, not necessarily repelled, making statement 3 incorrect.

• The assertion about Pataliputra's strategic location is accurate.
• The reason provides a broader context on why such locations were ideal for ancient capitals, aligning perfectly as an explanation for the assertion.

• The availability of iron deposits near Rajgir indeed provided Magadha with superior weaponry, making statement 1 correct.
• Pataliputra's strategic location at the confluence of major rivers made it a pivotal center for both defense and trade, so statement 2 is correct.
• The social structure in Magadha was unique, with a significant presence of non-orthodox groups like Kiratas and Magadhas, which contradicts statement 3 being traditional, making it incorrect.

• The Haryanka dynasty indeed had Rajgir as its capital.
• The Shishunaga dynasty had Vaishali as one of its capitals.
• The Nanda dynasty had its capital at Pataliputra.
• The Maurya dynasty had its capital at Pataliputra, not Ujjain, making pair 4 incorrect.

• The assertion about the Nanda dynasty's unpopularity and weak leadership contributing to their downfall is accurate.
• The reason provides a general principle that aligns with the assertion, making it a correct explanation.

• Statement-I accurately describes how Magadha's geographical advantages, including its location near iron deposits and control over strategic trade routes, contributed to its emergence as a powerful state.
• Statement-II is incorrect because the strategic importance of Magadha's capitals was not solely due to their fortified positions; their roles in trade and commerce, especially Pataliputra's, were crucial for the economic prosperity and strategic importance of Magadha.

• The war engine was indeed used during Ajatashatru's reign.
• The use of elephants was prominent before the Nanda dynasty, especially in Magadha's military, making pair 2 incorrect as it suggests it started with the Nandas.
• Iron weapons were indeed used before and during the rise of Magadha, making pair 3 correct.
• The mace-attached chariot was used during Ajatashatru's reign, not the Maurya dynasty, making pair 4 incorrect.

• The Nandas were indeed overthrown by the Mauryas, largely due to the former's unpopularity and weak leadership, making statement 1 correct.
• Mahapadma Nanda's conquests of Koshala and Kalinga were significant territorial expansions for Magadha, so statement 2 is correct.
• The use of elephants in warfare was pioneered by Magadha before the Maurya dynasty, making statement 3 incorrect.

• The Kingdom of Anga was indeed a powerful entity before being conquered by Bimbisara, making statement 1 correct.
• Avanti, with its capital at Ujjain, was a significant competitor, partly due to its access to iron deposits, which made it a rival in military capabilities, so statement 2 is correct.
• Magadha's economic prosperity was significantly boosted by its agricultural productivity due to the fertile alluvial soil of the middle Gangetic plain, contrary to statement 3, which underestimates agriculture's role.

• The assertion correctly identifies geographical advantages and access to iron deposits as key factors in Magadha's rise.
• The reason correctly explains how these factors contributed to Magadha's dominance, making it a valid explanation for the assertion.

• The economic prosperity of Magadha was indeed bolstered by the use of coins and the rise of towns, making statement 1 correct.
• The Shishunaga dynasty did not move the capital to Pataliputra; it was later under the Maurya dynasty that Pataliputra became a significant capital, making statement 2 incorrect.
• Bimbisara's policy of conquest and aggression was not limited to south of the Ganges River; his expansions included the conquest of Anga and alliances with other states, rendering statement 3 incorrect.

• Ajatashatru is indeed credited with military innovations such as the war engine and a mace-attached chariot, which he used in his conquests, making statement 1 correct.
• The expansion under the Nandas was not limited to the eastern regions; they also expanded westwards and southwards, notably conquering Kalinga, making statement 2 incorrect.
• The strategic selection of Pataliputra as a capital was indeed due to its location, surrounded by rivers, which provided natural defenses, so statement 3 is correct.

• The assertion correctly states that strategic alliances and military strength led to the Maurya dynasty's rise.
• The reason is true regarding Chandragupta's alliance with Chanakya but does not fully explain the broader military and strategic context, making it true but not the complete explanation.