Match the following Janapadas with their capitals.
|
No. |
Column A |
Column B |
|
1 |
Kashi |
Varanasi |
|
2 |
Kosala |
Shravasti |
|
3 |
Avanti |
Ujjaini |
|
4 |
Magadha |
Rajagriha |
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 (1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d).
Janapada — Capital
Kashi — a. Varanasi
Kosala — b. Shravasti
Avanti — c. Ujjayini
Magadha — d. Rajagriha
Explanation of the Major Mahajanapadas:
- • Kashi: It was situated in the Varanasi region of present-day Uttar Pradesh. It was renowned for its fine textiles and horse trade.
- • Kosala: Its capital was Shravasti. Ayodhya was also a prominent city within this Mahajanapada. King Prasenajit was a famous ruler of this kingdom.
- • Avanti: It was located in the present-day Malwa region (Madhya Pradesh). It had two capitals: Ujjayini for Northern Avanti and Mahishmati for Southern Avanti.
- • Magadha: The most powerful Mahajanapada of ancient India. Its initial capital was Rajagriha (Girivraja), which was later shifted to Pataliputra.
Additional Information (The 16 Mahajanapadas):
- The Buddhist text *Anguttara Nikaya* and the Jain text *Bhagavati Sutra* mention the 16 Mahajanapadas of ancient India.
- Mahajanapada — Capital — Present-day Location
- • Vatsa — Kaushambi — Prayagraj (UP)
- • Gandhara — Taxila — Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
- • Matsya — Viratnagar — Jaipur (Rajasthan)
- • Kuru — Indraprastha — Delhi-Meerut
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
- • Question: Which was the only Mahajanapada situated in South India?
- Answer: Ashmaka (Capital: Potali/Potli)
- • Question: Where was the first Republic of the Hindu world established?
- Answer: Vaishali (Vajji Mahajanapada)
- • Question: From the court of which Mahajanapada did Jivaka (the famous royal physician) hail?
- Answer: Magadha