Mahajanapadas and Magadha Empire MCQ: Alexander's Invasion, the Battle of Hydaspes & King Porus

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

1. Q1.Which ruler destroyed the power of the Avanti Mahajanapada?

   • A.Ajatshatru
   • B.Shishunaga✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kalashoka
   • D.Mahapadmananda

   Explanation: The most important achievement of Shishunaga was the destruction of the power of Avanti and its annexation to the Magadha Empire.

2. Q2.Pukkusati was the king of which Mahajanapada who sent an embassy to Bimbisara?

   • A.Gandhara✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kamboja
   • C.Avanti
   • D.Madra

   Explanation: Pukkusati was the king of Gandhara and a contemporary of Bimbisara. He sent an embassy and a letter to Bimbisara.

3. Q3.Who was the ruler of Taxila who surrendered to Alexander?

   • A.Porus
   • B.Ambhi✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Abhisara
   • D.Shashigupta

   Explanation: Ambhi, the king of Taxila, surrendered to Alexander without fighting and offered him help.

4. Q4.The kingdom of Porus was located between which two rivers?

   • A.Jhelum and Chenab✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ravi and Beas
   • C.Indus and Jhelum
   • D.Chenab and Ravi

   Explanation: King Porus's territory was situated between the rivers Jhelum (Hydaspes) and Chenab (Acesines).

5. Q5.The famous 'Battle of the Hydaspes' was fought between Alexander and whom?

   • A.Ambhi
   • B.Porus✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Dhanananda
   • D.Chandragupta

   Explanation: The Battle of the Hydaspes (Jhelum) was fought in 326 BC between Alexander the Great and King Porus.

6. Q6.Alexander's army refused to cross which river?

   • A.Indus
   • B.Jhelum
   • C.Beas✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sutlej

   Explanation: Alexander's army refused to advance further east after reaching the banks of the river Beas (Hyphasis).

7. Q7.What was the Greek name for the river Beas?

   • A.Hydaspes
   • B.Hyphasis✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Acesines
   • D.Hydraotes

   Explanation: The Greek writers referred to the river Beas as 'Hyphasis'.

8. Q8.For how many months did Alexander stay in India?

   • A.14 months
   • B.16 months
   • C.19 months✓ Correct Answer
   • D.24 months

   Explanation: Alexander stayed in India for a total of approximately 19 months (from 326 BC to 325 BC).

9. Q9.In which year did Alexander invade India?

   • A.326 BC✓ Correct Answer
   • B.323 BC
   • C.321 BC
   • D.312 BC

   Explanation: Alexander invaded India in 326 BC.

10. Q10.When did Alexander die?

    • A.326 BC
    • B.323 BC✓ Correct Answer
    • C.320 BC
    • D.318 BC

    Explanation: Alexander died in 323 BC at the age of 33.

11. Q11.Where did Alexander die?

    • A.Macedonia
    • B.Athens
    • C.Babylon✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Pataliputra

    Explanation: Alexander died in Babylon on his way back from India.

12. Q12.Which city was founded by Alexander in memory of his beloved horse?

    • A.Nicaea
    • B.Bucephala✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alexandria
    • D.Kandahar

    Explanation: Alexander founded the city of Bucephala (Boukephala) on the banks of the Jhelum in memory of his favourite horse, Bucephalus.

13. Q13.What was the name of Alexander's horse?

    • A.Chetak
    • B.Kanthaka
    • C.Bucephalus✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Natwar

    Explanation: The name of Alexander's horse was Bucephalus.

14. Q14.Who was the father of Alexander?

    • A.Philip II✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Aristotle
    • C.Seleucus
    • D.Darius

    Explanation: Alexander was the son of Philip II, the King of Macedonia.

15. Q15.Who was the teacher of Alexander the Great?

    • A.Plato
    • B.Socrates
    • C.Aristotle✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Herodotus

    Explanation: The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander.

16. Q16.Which ruler is known as 'Sarvakshatrantaka' in the Puranas?

    • A.Ajatshatru
    • B.Mahapadmananda✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chandragupta Maurya
    • D.Kanishka

    Explanation: Mahapadmananda is called 'Sarvakshatrantaka' (destroyer of all Kshatriyas) and 'Bhargava' (second Parashurama) in the Puranas.

17. Q17.Who was the ruler referred to as 'Agrammes' or 'Xandrames' by Greek writers?

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

    Explanation: The Greek writers called Dhanananda, the last Nanda king, as 'Agrammes' or 'Xandrames'.

18. Q18.Which ruler was known by the title 'Srenika'?

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

    Explanation: According to Jain texts, Bimbisara was known as 'Srenika', while his son Ajatshatru was known as 'Kunika'.

19. Q19.What was the capital of the Kuru Mahajanapada?

    • A.Mathura
    • B.Indraprastha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ahichchhatra
    • D.Kampilya

    Explanation: The Kuru Mahajanapada covered the region of modern Delhi and Meerut, and its capital was Indraprastha.

20. Q20.Which dynasty ruled Magadha when Alexander invaded India?

    • A.Maurya Dynasty
    • B.Nanda Dynasty✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shishunaga Dynasty
    • D.Haryanka Dynasty

    Explanation: At the time of Alexander's invasion (326 BC), the Nanda dynasty was ruling over Magadha, and the king was Dhanananda.