Q1. Which Mahajanapada included the famous city of Taxila?
- Kamboja
- Gandhara
- Avanti
- Ashmaka
Correct Option: 2. Gandhara
Explanation:The Gandhara Mahajanapada covered modern-day Peshawar and Rawalpindi in Pakistan and included the famous city of Taxila (Takshashila). Taxila was a major center of learning and trade, attracting students and philosophers from all over Asia. The ruler of Gandhara during the 6th century BCE was Pukkusati, known for his interactions with other kings and possibly even with Buddhist monks.
Q2. The kingdom of Avanti was located in which modern Indian region?
- Bihar
- Rajasthan
- Malwa (Madhya Pradesh)
- Punjab
Correct Option: 3. Malwa (Madhya Pradesh)
Explanation: Avanti was a powerful Mahajanapada located in central India’s Malwa region. It had two capital cities—Ujjayini (modern Ujjain) and Mahishmati. The kingdom was divided into northern and southern parts by the Vindhya mountains. King Pradyota of Avanti is known for conflicts with other major powers like Magadha and Vatsa.
Q3. Which river was NOT a boundary of the Magadha kingdom?
- Yamuna
- Champa
- Ganga
- Son
Correct Option: 1. Yamuna
Explanation: Magadha was geographically bounded by:
• Ganga (north)
• Son (west)
• Champa (east)
• Vindhya ranges (south)
The Yamuna flowed farther west and was not directly associated with the boundaries of Magadha during this period.
Q4. The Dharmasutras were composed by which group to guide rulers and society?
- Kshatriyas
- Vaishyas
- Shudras
- Brahmanas
Correct Option: 4. Brahmanas
Explanation: From the 6th century BCE onward, Brahmanas composed texts called Dharmasutras, written in Sanskrit. These were legal and social codes that laid down the duties and responsibilities of different varnas, especially Kshatriya rulers. They advised rulers on taxation, law enforcement, and social conduct—reflecting the growing influence of Brahmanical ideology in monarchies.
Q5. What kind of government did the Mallas initially have before forming a confederacy?
- Democracy
- Monarchy
- Theocracy
- Anarchy
Correct Option: 2. Monarchy
Explanation: The Malla Mahajanapada, located west of Vajji, initially followed monarchical rule. However, over time, they adopted a republican (Gana-Sangha) system forming a confederacy of nine clans with two political centers—Kusinara and Pava. This reflects the dynamic political evolution of early Indian states.