Mahajanapadas and Magadha Empire MCQ: Haryanka Dynasty, Avanti Mahajanapada & Takshashila

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who was the Greek writer who mentioned the meeting of Sandrokottos (Chandragupta) and Alexander?

   • A.Pliny
   • B.Strabo
   • C.Justin✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Megasthenes

   Explanation: Justin, a Greek writer, described the meeting of Sandrokottos and Alexander the Great.

2. Q2.Which ancient city was known as 'Avantika'?

   • A.Ujjain✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mahishmati
   • C.Vidisha
   • D.Dashapura

   Explanation: Ujjain is considered an ancient historical town and was one of the two capitals of Avanti. It is also known as Avantika.

3. Q3.In which state were eight of the sixteen Mahajanapadas located?

   • A.Bihar
   • B.Madhya Pradesh
   • C.Uttar Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rajasthan

   Explanation: Out of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, eight were present in modern Uttar Pradesh: Kashi, Kosala, Vatsa, Malla, Kuru, Panchal, Surasena, and Chedi.

4. Q4.Who founded the city of Rajgriha (Girivraj)?

   • A.Bimbisara
   • B.Ajatshatru
   • C.Jarasandha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Brihadratha

   Explanation: According to Puranas, Jarasandha, the son of the first king of the Brihadratha dynasty, made Girivraj (Rajgriha) his capital.

5. Q5.The town of Kalpi was situated on the bank of which river?

   • A.Ganga
   • B.Yamuna✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chambal
   • D.Betwa

   Explanation: The town Kalpi is situated in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh on the bank of the river Yamuna.

6. Q6.Who was the ruler of Avanti during the time of Buddha?

   • A.Prasenjit
   • B.Udayana
   • C.Pradyota✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ajatshatru

   Explanation: Pradyota was the ruler of Avanti and a contemporary of Buddha and Bimbisara.

7. Q7.Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Potana or Potali?

   • A.Avanti
   • B.Assaka (Ashmaka)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Matsya
   • D.Vatsa

   Explanation: The 'Assaka' or 'Ashmaka' Mahajanapada was located in the Godavari valley, and its capital was Potana or Potali.

8. Q8.Who established the Haryanka dynasty?

   • A.Ajatshatru
   • B.Bimbisara✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Udayin
   • D.Nagdashak

   Explanation: Bimbisara is said to be the first and most powerful emperor of the Haryanka dynasty and the real founder of the Magadha Empire.

9. Q9.Which of the following kings was a contemporary of Alexander?

   • A.Mahapadmananda
   • B.Dhanananda✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chandragupta Maurya
   • D.Bimbisara

   Explanation: Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty and was ruling Magadha at the time of Alexander's invasion.

10. Q10.From which rock edict do we know about the Kalinga war of Ashoka?

    • A.Rock Edict I
    • B.Rock Edict X
    • C.Rock Edict XII
    • D.Rock Edict XIII✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The 13th rock edict provides clear evidence of the Kalinga war and Ashoka's remorse.

11. Q11.Who was the founder of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila?

    • A.Nanyadev✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Harisimha Dev
    • C.Gangadev
    • D.Narasimhadev

    Explanation: Nanyadev (1097-98 AD) was the founder of the Karnata dynasty. He was a great warrior.

12. Q12.What was the capital of the Karnata dynasty?

    • A.Patliputra
    • B.Simraon✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Darbhanga
    • D.Madhubani

    Explanation: The capital of the Karnata dynasty was Simraon. The period of this dynasty is considered the golden period of Mithila.

13. Q13.Who was the last ruler of the Karnata dynasty?

    • A.Nanyadev
    • B.Shaktisimha Dev
    • C.Harisimha Dev✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Mahesh Thakur

    Explanation: The last ruler of the Karnata Dynasty was Harisimha Dev. He was a great patron of art and literature.

14. Q14.Which ruler is credited with propounding the 'Panji system' in Mithila?

    • A.Nanyadev
    • B.Harisimha Dev✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bhairav Singh
    • D.Shiva Singh

    Explanation: Harisimha Dev, the last ruler of the Karnata dynasty, was the profounder of the Panji system.

15. Q15.The town of Kalpi was known by which name in ancient times?

    • A.Kalpriya✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Kanyakubja
    • C.Mahishmati
    • D.Viratnagar

    Explanation: During the ancient period, the town of Kalpi was famous as 'Kalpriya'. It is situated in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

16. Q16.Who founded the town of Kalpi in the 4th century B.C.?

    • A.King Vasudeva✓ Correct Answer
    • B.King Udayana
    • C.King Pradyota
    • D.King Virat

    Explanation: Kalpi was built during the 4th century B.C. by King Vasudeva.

17. Q17.According to Puranas, Pradyota, the ruler of Avanti, was the son of whom?

    • A.Bimbisara
    • B.Pulika✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Udayin
    • D.Shishunaga

    Explanation: Pradyota is said to be the son of Pulika, who killed his master at Ujjain to make his son the King.

18. Q18.What was the name of the ruler of Kosala mentioned in Samudragupta's 'Prayag Prashasti'?

    • A.Shiv Gupta
    • B.Someshwar Deo
    • C.Mahendra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Mahipal

    Explanation: The name of the ruler of Kosala, Mahendra, is mentioned in Samudragupta's 'Prayag Prashasti'.

19. Q19.According to Ramayana, who founded the city of Takshashila?

    • A.Bharat
    • B.Taksha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lava
    • D.Kusha

    Explanation: It is known from Ramayana that Takshashila Nagar was founded by Taksha, the son of Bharat.

20. Q20.Where was the capital of the Kamboja Mahajanapada located?

    • A.Rajpur or Hatak✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Taxila
    • C.Indraprastha
    • D.Mathura

    Explanation: In the northern part of ancient India (Uttarapatha), the capital of Kamboja was Rajpur or Hatak.