Territorial States and the First Magadhan Empire - UPSC Prelims Quiz
Answer all questions carefully. Questions are UPSC-level involving statement analysis, chronology, and analytical reasoning.
hard•10 questions•~14 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements about the Mahajanapadas:
1. In the age of the Buddha we find 16 large states called Mahajanapadas, mostly situated north of the Vindhyas.
2. The kingdom of Kasi with its capital at Varanasi appears to have been the most powerful of the states in the beginning, but eventually had to submit to the power of Kosala.
3. The Lichchhavis, the most powerful clan among the Vajjis, had their capital at Vaisali, identical with Basarh in the district of Vaisali in north Bihar.
4. The capital of Kapilavastu (birthplace of the Buddha) has been identified with Piprahwa in Basti district, while Lumbini lies about 15 km from Piprahwa in Nepal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 02
medium
With reference to the marriage alliances of Bimbisara of Magadha, which of the following is correctly matched?
Question 03
hard
Consider the following statements about Ajatasatru of Magadha:
1. Ajatasatru killed his father Bimbisara and seized the throne for himself.
2. He acquired Kasi by defeating the Kosalan king who was then compelled to give his daughter in marriage to Ajatasatru.
3. Ajatasatru possessed war engines - a chariot to which a mace was attached, and a catapult-like stone-thrower.
4. Ajatasatru destroyed the independence of Vaisali in a single decisive battle within one year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 04
hard
The fort at Pataliputra (at the confluence of the Ganga and Son at Patna) was built by which ruler, and why was its location strategically important?
Question 05
hard
Consider the following statements about the causes of Magadha's success in founding the first empire in India:
1. The richest iron deposits were situated not far away from Rajgir, the earliest capital of Magadha.
2. Magadha was the first Indian state to use elephants on a large scale in its wars against its neighbours.
3. Avanti, not Magadha, was the first to smelt and forge iron around 500 BC, which is why it was Magadha's most serious competitor.
4. Pataliputra was called 'jaladurga' (water-fort) because it was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Gandak, Son, and Sarayu rivers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 06
medium
With reference to the Nanda dynasty of Magadha, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Question 07
hard
RS Sharma identifies the 'unorthodox character' of Magadhan society as one of the causes of Magadha's success. This refers to which of the following?
Question 08
hard
Consider the following pairs matching Mahajanapada capitals with their correct locations:
1. Sravasti - Borders of Gonda and Bahraich districts in Uttar Pradesh (Sahet-Mahet)
2. Kausambi - Near Allahabad; situated at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna
3. Rajgir (Girivraja) - Surrounded by five hills; earliest capital of Magadha
4. Ujjain - Capital of the southern part of Avanti
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Question 09
medium
The royal physician Jivaka is mentioned in the context of relations between Magadha and Avanti. Which of the following correctly describes this episode?
Question 10
medium
Consider the following statement: 'Alexander, who invaded Panjab at the time, did not dare to move towards the east.' The primary reason for this, as suggested by RS Sharma, was: