Magadha Empire MCQs with Explanations

Correct Answer: (A) Udayin

---

Pataliputra was founded by Udayin, who was the successor of Ajatshatru. He built a fort at the confluence of Son and Ganga River. He shifted the capital of the Magadha Empire from Rajgriha to Pataliputra. It was also the capital of Sisunaga dynasty, Nanda dynasty, and Maurya dynasty.

Correct Answer: (A) Chandragupta Maurya

---

Pataliputra was established by Udyain, the ruler of Haryanka dynasty at the confluence of Son and Ganga River and transferred his capital from Rajgriha to Pataliputra. But Udayin is not mentioned in the above options. Here, Chandragupta Maurya will be the correct answer.

Correct Answer: (D) Kaushambi

---

The legend of Udayan-Vasavadatta is related to Kaushambi. Great poet Bhasa has described this story in his drama ‘Svapnavasvadattam’, the love story of Vatsa king Udayan and Vasvadatta, the daughter of Avanti King Pradyot. The story is during the time when Udayan was imprisoned in Ujjayini. Udayana, the king, is associated with Kaushambi, while Vasavadatta, the princess, is from Avanti

Correct Answer: (B) Sixth Century B.C.

---

The first Magadhan empire flourished in 6th century B.C. The actual founder of this empire was king Bimbisara (approximately 544-492 century B.C). He was related to Haryanka dynasty.

Correct Answer: (D) Magadha

---

Magadha was the most powerful city in the early 6th century B.C. It was one of the richest and most prosperous Mahajanapada among others. Magadha had a long rivalry with Kosala, Anga and Kashi. They always struggled for the supremacy.

Correct Answer: (D) Chetak-Lichchhavi

---

King Chetak was the emperor of the Lichchhavi republic. His daughter Chelana was married to Magadha King Bimbisara. Lichchhavi was one of the clans of the union of Vajji.

Correct Answer: (A) Only one

---

Statement 1 is incorrect: According to the Arthashastra of Kautilya, a striking social development of the Maurya period was the employment of slaves in agricultural operations. Labour was provided by the dasa-karmakaras – slaves and hired labour. According to Arthashastra the various categories of labour included wage labour, bonded labour, and slave labour.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Maurya period saw the establishment of the first empire in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Such a large empire required new strategies of governance. The complex system of administration set up under the Mauryas became the foundational basis of succeeding polities. The Maurya period constitutes a landmark in the system of taxation in ancient India. The Mauryas attached greater importance to assessment than to storage and deposit. The Samaharta was the highest officer in charge of assessment and collection, and the Sannidhata was the chief custodian of the state treasury and storehouse. The assessor-cum-collector was far more important than the chief treasurer.
Statement 3 is correct: The punch-marked silver coins, which carry the symbols of the peacock and crescented hill, formed the imperial currency of the Mauryas. They have been discovered in large numbers. Copper coins were also punch-marked. Besides punch-marked silver and copper coins, cast copper coins and die-struck coins were also issued.

Correct Answer: (C) Ahichhatra

---

The capital of Northern Panchala was Ahichhatra and Kampilya was the capital of southern Panchala. Hastinapura and Indraprastha were the capital of Kuru while Mathura was the capital of Surasena.

Correct Answer: (C) Sursen - Kaushambi

---

Sursen was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura. Other options are correctly matched.

Correct Answer: (C) Rajgriha

---

Rajgriha was the first capital of Magadha, (Where first ‘Buddhist Council’ was organized and Lord Mahavir sermoned first). According to Puranas, the first dynasty to rule over Magadh was Brihadrath dynasty. King Brihadrath's son, Jarasandha, made Girivraja (Rajgir) his capital. Later on, Udayin, son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital to Patliputra.

Correct Answer: (D) Kaushambi

---

Girivraja or Rajgriha and Pataliputra were the capital of the Magadha Empire respectively in ancient times while Kaushambi was ruled by Vatsa state. The capital of Magadha was shifted from Rajgriha to Pataliputra during Haryanka dynasty.

Correct Answer: (B) Crescentic

---

Alexander Cunningham had identified the ancient Shravasti at Sahet-Mahet (today’s Shravasti) placed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh in 1861. It is known by excavations that the configuration of Shravasti was in crescentic form.

Correct Answer: (B) Ajatshatru

---

The ruler of Magadha, Ajatashatru (492-460 BC) killed his father Bimbisara, the founder of Haryanka dynasty and sat on the throne. He was also killed by his son Udayin (different from the king Udayan of Vatsa) for the same reason.

Correct Answer: (D) Mahapadmananda

---

After Shishunaga dynasty, the Nanda dynasty started ruling Magadha. Mahapadmananda or Ugrasen was the founder of Nanda dynasty. He was also called as Sarvakshatrantaka and Aparoparashurama in Puranas.

Correct Answer: (A) Only one

---

Among the 16 mahajanapadas, Kasi was initially powerful. However, Kosala became dominant later. A power struggle broke out between Magadha, Kosala, Vrijji and Avanti. Eventually, Magadha emerged as the dominant mahajanapada and established the first Indian empire.
The first known ruler of Magadha was Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty. He extended the territory of Magadhan Empire by matrimonial alliances and conquests. By marrying off his sister to Prasenajit, ruler of Kosala, he received Kasi as dowry. He also married the princesses of Lichchhavis and Madra.
Statement 1 is incorrect: He maintained friendly relations with Avanti but annexed Anga by military might. Thus, Magadha became a powerful and prominent power. During his reign, Bimbisara patronised various religious sects and their leaders.
Statement 2 is correct: He had an encounter with Buddha as well. His son Ajatashatru ascended the throne by killing his father. King Prasenajit immediately took back Kasi, which he had handed out as dowry to Bimbisara. This led to a military confrontation between Magadha and Kosala. The struggle lasted until Prasenajit was overthrown and died at Rajgriha, the capital of Magadha Empire. Kosala was then annexed to Magadha. Ajatashatru also fought and won the battle against the Lichchhavis. He defeated the Lichchhavis and the Mallas. Ajatashatru is also believed to have met Buddha in his lifetime. By the time Ajatashatru died in 461 BCE, Magadha had become undisputedly the strongest power.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty. Shishunaga, a viceroy of Benaras, deposed the last Haryanka king and ascended the throne. The Shishunagas ruled for fifty years before the throne was usurped by Mahapadma Nanda.