Question

How many Mahajanapadas do the Buddhist and Jain literature present a list of during the Mahajanapada Period of 600 BC - 325 BC?
1. 12
2. 16
3. 14 
4. 18 

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 16

The correct answer is 16.

• There were sixteen such Mahajanapadas during 600 B.C. to 325 B.C. in the Indian Sub-continent.
• There were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in Northern ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE during the second urbanization period.
• The 6^th - 5^th centuries BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian history; during this period India's first large cities arose after the demise of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• It was also the time of the rise of sramana movements (including Buddhism and Jainism), which challenged the religious orthodoxy of the Vedic Period.

• The term "Janapada" literally means the foothold of a people.
• The Bhir Mound was first excavated from 1913 - 1925 by Sir John Marshall.
• There are seven features or main constituents of a Mahajanapada and they are listed below:
  • The King
  • The Minister
  • The Country
  • Fortified City
  • Treasury
  • Army
  • Ally​