Question

In Indian history, the 'Mahajanapada' of 6th century BC is related to _______.
1. Religious Pandits
2. A group of states
3. Advisors of kings
4. Religious relics

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : A group of states

The correct answer is A group of states.

• Mahajanapadas:​
  • The Mahajanapadas from Maha: Great, and Janapada: foothold of a people were sixteen kingdoms or group of states. 
  • They existed in Northern ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE during the second urbanization period.
  • Ancient Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya make frequent reference to sixteen great kingdoms and republics which had developed and flourished in a belt stretching from Gandhara in the northwest to Anga in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.
  • They are - Kashi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Machcha, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.
  • These Mahajanpadas are either Monarchy or Republics (Ganasanghas).
  • The important Republics of this period were the Sakyas of Kapilavastu and the Licchavis of Vaishali.
  • The important Monarchical Mahajanpadas of this period were Kaushambi (Vatsa), Magadha, Kosala and Avanti.
  • They included parts of the trans-Vindhyan region and all had developed prior to the rise of Buddhism in India.