MCQs on Mahajanapada Period – Ancient Indian History
Q1. How many Mahajanapadas or ‘Great Kingdoms’ existed in ancient India during the lifetime of Lord Gautam Buddha?
a) 8
b) 12
c) 16
d) 20
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Correct Answer: c) 16
Explanation: There were 16 Mahajanapadas or ‘Great Kingdoms’ in ancient India during the lifetime of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Q2. Which of the following was not a Mahajanapada?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vanga
d) Gandhara
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Correct Answer: c) Vanga
Explanation: Vanga was not one of the 16 Mahajanapadas, but Magadha, Kuru, and Gandhara were.
Q3. Which Mahajanapada was located in present-day Bihar?
a) Magadha
b) Kashi
c) Kosala
d) Avanti
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Correct Answer: a) Magadha
Explanation: Magadha was located in present-day Bihar and was one of the most powerful Mahajanapadas.
Q4. Which Mahajanapada was located in present-day Uttar Pradesh?
a) Magadha
b) Kashi
c) Kosala
d) Avanti
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Correct Answer: c) Kosala
Explanation: Kosala was located in present-day Uttar Pradesh and was ruled by the famous king, Mahajanaka.
Q5. Which Mahajanapada was located in present-day Madhya Pradesh?
a) Magadha
b) Kashi
c) Avanti
d) Vajji
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Correct Answer: c) Avanti
Explanation: Avanti was located in present-day Madhya Pradesh and was ruled by the famous king, Pradyota.
Q6. Which Mahajanapada was ruled by the famous king, Bimbisara?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: a) Magadha
Explanation: Bimbisara was a famous king of Magadha and was succeeded by his son, Ajatashatru.
Q7. Which Mahajanapada was ruled by the famous king, Prasenajit?
a) Magadha
b) Kashi
c) Kosala
d) Vajji
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Correct Answer: c) Kosala
Explanation: Prasenajit was a famous king of Kosala and was a contemporary of Lord Buddha.
Q8. Which Mahajanapada was ruled by the famous king, Udayin?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: a) Magadha
Explanation: Udayin was a famous king of Magadha and was responsible for shifting the capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra.
Q9. Which Mahajanapada was ruled by the famous king, Mahapadma Nanda?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: a) Magadha
Explanation: Mahapadma Nanda was a famous king of Magadha and was the founder of the Nanda dynasty.
Q10. Which Mahajanapada was known for its iron industry?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Chedi
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Correct Answer: d) Chedi
Explanation: Chedi was known for its iron industry and was located in present-day Madhya Pradesh.
Q11. Which Mahajanapada was known for its cavalry?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Gandhara
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Correct Answer: d) Gandhara
Explanation: Gandhara was known for its cavalry and was located in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Q12. Which Mahajanapada was known for its navy?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Anga
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Correct Answer: d) Anga
Explanation: Anga was known for its navy and was located in present-day Bihar.
Q13. Which Mahajanapada was known for its textiles?
a) Magadha
b) Kashi
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: b) Kashi
Explanation: Kashi was known for its textiles and was located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
Q14. Which Mahajanapada was known for its trade with the Greeks?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Gandhara
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Correct Answer: d) Gandhara
Explanation: Gandhara was known for its trade with the Greeks and was located in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Q15. Which Mahajanapada was known for its republican form of government?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: c) Vajji
Explanation: Vajji was known for its republican form of government and was located in present-day Bihar.
Q16. Which Mahajanapada was known for its confederacy of eight states?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: c) Vajji
Explanation: Vajji was known for its confederacy of eight states and was located in present-day Bihar.
Q17. Which Mahajanapada was known for its famous king, Janaka?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Videha
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Correct Answer: d) Videha
Explanation: Janaka was a famous king of Videha and was known for his patronage of scholars and philosophers.
Q18. Which Mahajanapada was known for its famous queen, Nandini?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Malla
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Correct Answer: d) Malla
Explanation: Nandini was a famous queen of Malla and was known for her beauty and intelligence
Q19. Which Mahajanapada was known for its famous king, Pradyota?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Avanti
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Correct Answer: d) Avanti
Explanation: Pradyota was a famous king of Avanti and was known for his military conquests.
Q20. Which Mahajanapada was known for its famous king, Jarasandha?
a) Magadha
b) Kuru
c) Vajji
d) Chedi
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Correct Answer: a) Magadha
Explanation: Jarasandha was a famous king of Magadha and was known for his military prowess. He was a major antagonist in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, and was killed by the Pandava prince, Bhima.