Static Quiz 21 February 2026 (Ancient History)

Q1. With reference to the Mahajanapadas, consider the following statements:

1. Anga was located to the east of Magadha.
2. Kashi was situated on the banks of river Godavari.
3. Matsya was located in present-day Rajasthan.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) All three
D) None

Q1. (B)
Explanation::

Statement 1 – Correct

• Anga was one of the eastern Mahajanapadas.
• It lay to the east of Magadha, roughly in modern Bhagalpur–Munger region of Bihar.
• Its capital was Champa, a flourishing commercial centre on the Ganga trade route.
• Magadha later annexed Anga under Bimbisara, strengthening its eastern flank.

Statement 2 – Incorrect

• Kashi was centred around Varanasi, located on the Ganga River, not Godavari.
• It was one of the most prosperous early Mahajanapadas due to fertile alluvial plains.
• The Godavari is associated with Asmaka, not Kashi.

Statement 3 – Correct

• Matsya was located in present-day Rajasthan, especially around Jaipur–Alwar region.
• Capital: Viratanagara (identified with Bairat).
• It occupied a strategic position between the Gangetic plains and Malwa plateau.

Q2.

Assertion (A): Magadha emerged as the most powerful Mahajanapada.
Reason (R): It had access to fertile alluvial plains and iron ore deposits.

A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
B) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C) A is correct but R is incorrect.
D) A is incorrect but R is correct.

Q2. (A)
Explanation:

Assertion – Correct

• Magadha ultimately absorbed major rivals such as Anga, Kashi, and Vajji.
• It became the nucleus of later imperial powers (Nanda, Maurya).

Reason – Correct and Directly Causal

Magadha’s rise was geographically determined:

1. Fertile Alluvial Soil
   1. Located in lower Gangetic basin → high agricultural surplus.
   1. Supported large standing armies.
2. Iron Ore Deposits
   1. Proximity to Chotanagpur plateau.
   1. Iron weapons gave military superiority over rivals.
3. River Network Advantage
   1. Ganga, Son, and Punpun rivers facilitated transport and trade.
4. Natural Defences
   1. Rajagriha surrounded by hills.
   1. Later capital Pataliputra at river confluence – strategic.

Thus, geography directly explains Magadha’s political dominance.

Q3. Arrange the following capitals in north-to-south geographical order:

1. Taxila
2. Ujjaini
3. Rajagriha
4. Champa

Select the correct answer:
A) 1-2-3-4
B) 1-3-4-2
C) 2-1-3-4
D) 3-1-4-2

Q3. (B)
Explanation:

• Taxila (Gandhara) – Located in present-day Pakistan (Punjab region), farthest north-west.
• Rajagriha (Magadha) – Located in Bihar.
• Champa (Anga) – East Bihar, slightly south-east of Rajagriha but roughly similar latitude.
• Ujjaini (Avanti) – Located in Madhya Pradesh on Malwa plateau; lies significantly south of the Gangetic plain capitals.

Thus north → south:
Taxila → Rajagriha → Champa → Ujjaini.

Q4.  

Which of the following Mahajanapadas followed a republican (gana-sangha) form of government?

1. Vajji
2. Malla
3. Magadha
4. Kosala

Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 4 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. (C)
Explanation:

Republican States (Gana-Sanghas):

• Vajji Confederacy – Included Lichchhavis; capital Vaishali.
• Malla – Two branches with capitals at Kusinara and Pava.

Characteristics:

• Oligarchic assemblies.
• Collective decision-making.
• No hereditary monarchy.

Monarchical States:

• Magadha (Bimbisara, Ajatashatru).
• Kosala (Prasenajit).

Q5. The Mahajanapada located on the banks of river Godavari was:
A) Kamboja
B) Asmaka
C) Kosala
D) Kuru

Q5. (B)
Explanation:
Asmaka was the only southern Mahajanapada, located near Godavari.

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