16 Mahajanapadas: GK MCQs and Explanations
Indus Valley MCQs

Q11. Taxila was the capital of which Mahajanapada?

(A) Gandhara
(B) Kamboja
(C) Kuru
(D) Malla
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Correct Answer: (A) Gandhara
Notes: Taxila was the capital of Gandhara and one of the most famous centers of learning in ancient India. Students from different regions came here to study medicine, politics, military science, and philosophy. It was also an important trade center connecting India with Central Asia.

Q12. Which Mahajanapada was located in present-day Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan?

(A) Kuru
(B) Gandhara
(C) Vajji
(D) Kosala
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Correct Answer: (B) Gandhara
Notes: Gandhara was situated in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, covering areas of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its strategic location made it an important center of trade and cultural exchange. The famous city of Taxila was located here.

Q13. Which Mahajanapada is associated with the Licchavis?

(A) Vajji
(B) Anga
(C) Kashi
(D) Avanti
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Correct Answer: (A) Vajji
Notes: The Licchavis were the most influential clan of the Vajji Confederacy, a powerful republican state of ancient India. Their capital was Vaishali, which was also associated with both Buddhism and Jainism. The Licchavis played an important role in the political history of the Mahajanapada period.

Q14. Vajji was an example of a:

(A) Monarchy
(B) Republic
(C) Empire
(D) Tribal Kingdom
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Correct Answer: (B) Republic
Notes: Unlike Magadha and Kosala, which were monarchies, Vajji followed a republican system of government. Important decisions were taken by assemblies of representatives rather than by a hereditary king.

Q15. Which Mahajanapada included the famous city of Vaishali?

(A) Vajji
(B) Kuru
(C) Surasena
(D) Panchala
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Correct Answer: (A) Vajji
Notes: Vaishali was the capital of the Vajji Confederacy and one of the most prosperous cities of ancient India. It is important in both Buddhist and Jain traditions. Vaishali is also known as one of the world’s earliest republics.

Q16. Which ruler of Magadha annexed Anga?

(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Bimbisara
(C) Ashoka
(D) Udayin
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Correct Answer: (B) Bimbisara
Notes: Bimbisara, the ruler of the Haryanka Dynasty, conquered Anga and incorporated it into Magadha. This victory increased Magadha’s wealth and control over important trade routes. The conquest of Anga is considered one of the major reasons behind the rise of Magadha as the strongest Mahajanapada.

Q17. Which river greatly benefited the growth of Magadha?

(A) Narmada
(B) Godavari
(C) Ganga
(D) Tapi
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Correct Answer: (C) Ganga
Notes: The Ganga River provided fertile alluvial soil, abundant water, and easy transportation, which greatly supported agriculture and trade in Magadha. Its location along the Ganga valley helped Magadha become economically strong and politically dominant.

Q18. Which Mahajanapada was located south of the Vindhya Mountains?

(A) Avanti
(B) Ashmaka
(C) Kuru
(D) Malla
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Correct Answer: (B) Ashmaka
Notes: Ashmaka (Assaka) was the only Mahajanapada situated south of the Vindhya Mountains. It was located on the banks of the Godavari River in the Deccan region.

Q19. The capital of Ashmaka was:

(A) Potana
(B) Taxila
(C) Kaushambi
(D) Ujjain
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Correct Answer: (A) Potana
Notes: Potana (Paudanya or Potali) was the capital of Ashmaka, the southernmost Mahajanapada. Located near the Godavari region, it played an important role in regional trade and administration.

Q20. Which Mahajanapada was associated with Mathura?

(A) Surasena
(B) Malla
(C) Kuru
(D) Gandhara
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Correct Answer: (A) Surasena
Notes: Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Mahajanapada. Located on important trade routes, Mathura later became a major center of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vaishnavism. The city is also closely associated with the life of Lord Krishna, making it historically and culturally significant.

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