GK Questions, The Mahajanapadas of the Indo-Gangetic Plain: Writing essays and responding to objective and subjective questions requires the ability to analyse political, social, and economic developments, which history offers as a basis. Furthermore, issues about international relations, policies, and heritage all have connections to current events. A solid understanding of historical chronology, significant personalities, and movements (such as the freedom struggle) improves exam scores and facilitates interview preparation. History is essential for candidates, as it not only helps them achieve good grades but also enables them to comprehend India’s identity and problems on a deeper level.
In this post, we’ve compiled 50 Most Important GK MCQs on the Mahajanapadas of the Indo-Gangetic Plain with detailed answers. These questions are ideal for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Railway, CDS, NDA, State PSC, and other government exams. Understanding these facts not only strengthens your static GK but also gives an edge in History, Art & Culture sections.
The Mahajanapadas
1. The sixth century BCE in India is known as the era of:
A. First Urbanisation
B. Vedic Expansion
C. Second Urbanisation
D. Gupta Revival
2. The decline of Harappan towns was followed by urban centres emerging mainly in:
A. Coastal India
B. Southern Plateau
C. Indo-Gangetic plains
D. Deccan Trap
3. Which factor mainly supported the growth of Mahajanapadas?
A. Sea trade
B. Nomadic culture
C. Iron agricultural tools
D. Pastoral economy
4. The term Mahajanapadas refers to:
A. Tribal republics
B. Religious centres
C. Large territorial states
D. Capital cities
5. According to Buddhist texts, how many Mahajanapadas existed?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
6. Anga’s capital Champa was located at:
A. Yamuna–Ganga confluence
B. Ganga–Champa rivers confluence
C. Indus valley
D. Narmada basin
7. Kashi was later captured by:
A. Magadha
B. Anga
C. Kosala
D. Avanti
8. Kapilavastu was important because it was:
A. Capital of Magadha
B. Trade hub
C. Birthplace of Gautama Buddha
D. Jain council centre
9. The republican territory of the Shakyas was part of:
A. Magadha
B. Kosala
C. Avanti
D. Kuru
10. Vaishali was the capital of:
A. Mallas
B. Magadha
C. Vajji Confederacy
D. Chedi
11. Kushinara and Pava are associated with:
A. Jainism
B. Vedic sacrifices
C. Last events of Buddha’s life
D. Gupta administration
12. Chedi was located in:
A. Eastern Gangetic plain
B. Deccan plateau
C. Central India (Bundelkhand)
D. North-West frontier
13. The epic Mahabharata is linked with which Mahajanapada?
A. Panchala
B. Kuru
C. Matsya
D. Avanti
14. Panchala was divided by:
A. Yamuna river
B. Indus river
C. Ganga river
D. Son river
15. Avanti was divided into:
A. East and West Avanti
B. North and South Avanti
C. Upper and Lower Avanti
D. Urban and rural Avanti
16. Taxila was an important centre of:
A. Buddhism only
B. Agriculture
C. Trade and learning
D. Naval power
17. Kamboja was famous for:
A. Gold mines
B. Excellent breed of horses
C. Cotton textiles
D. Iron weapons
18. The most powerful states in the 6th century BCE were:
A. Kosala and Kuru
B. Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti
C. Anga and Vajji
D. Matsya and Surasena
19. Gana-Sanghas were:
A. Monarchies
B. Feudal states
C. Republican states
D. Theocratic states
20. In Gana-Sanghas, the chief executive was known as:
A. Raja
B. Samrat
C. Ganapati
D. Senapati
21. Political power in Gana-Sanghas was:
A. Hereditary
B. Centralised
C. Collective
D. Divine
22. Which class dominated Gana-Sanghas?
A. Vaishyas
B. Shudras
C. Kshatriyas
D. Brahmanas
23. Magadha’s rise to power began under:
A. Ajatashatru
B. Bimbisara
C. Shishunaga
D. Mahapadma Nanda
24. Bimbisara belonged to the:
A. Nanda dynasty
B. Shishunaga dynasty
C. Haryanka dynasty
D. Maurya dynasty
25. Rajgir (Girivraja) was protected by:
A. Rivers
B. Desert
C. Five hills
D. Dense forests
26. Ajatashatru killed his father:
A. Shishunaga
B. Udayin
C. Bimbisara
D. Kalashoka
27. Ajatashatru used which new weapons?
A. Catapults
B. Rathamusala and Mahashilakantaka
C. Longbows
D. Cannons
28. The capital was shifted to Pataliputra by:
A. Bimbisara
B. Ajatashatru
C. Udayin
D. Shishunaga
29. Shishunaga temporarily shifted the capital to:
A. Rajgir
B. Champa
C. Vaishali
D. Taxila
30. The Shishunaga dynasty ended rivalry between:
A. Kosala and Kashi
B. Magadha and Avanti
C. Anga and Vatsa
D. Vajji and Malla
31. The first non-Kshatriya dynasty was:
A. Maurya
B. Shishunaga
C. Nanda
D. Haryanka
32. Mahapadma Nanda claimed to be:
A. World conqueror
B. Chakravartin
C. Ekarat (sole sovereign)
D. Devaputra
33. Dhanananda was overthrown by:
A. Alexander
B. Bimbisara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Ashoka
34. Magadha’s success was partly due to:
A. Poor neighbours
B. Rich iron deposits
C. Coastal trade
D. Nomadic warriors
35. Pataliputra was located at the confluence of:
A. Ganga and Yamuna
B. Ganga and Son
C. Indus and Jhelum
D. Godavari and Krishna
36. Alexander invaded India in:
A. 400 BCE
B. 326 BCE
C. 312 BCE
D. 300 BCE
37. Alexander defeated which Persian ruler before India?
A. Cyrus
B. Darius III
C. Xerxes
D. Artaxerxes
38. The easternmost point of Alexander’s campaign was:
A. Indus
B. Hydaspes
C. Beas
D. Ravi
39. Alexander died at:
A. Babylon
B. Taxila
C. Babylon
D. Susa
40. One major effect of Alexander’s invasion was:
A. Spread of Buddhism
B. Improved Indo-Greek contacts
C. Political unification
D. End of Magadha
41. Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) is linked with:
A. Harappan culture
B. Chalcolithic phase
C. Second Urbanisation
D. Gupta period
42. NBPW was mainly found in:
A. Deccan
B. Gangetic plains
C. Coastal regions
D. Kashmir
43. Pura or Nagara referred to:
A. Village
B. Market
C. Fortified town
D. Port
44. Shrenis were:
A. Religious sects
B. Guilds of merchants and artisans
C. Royal councils
D. Village assemblies
45. Trade routes connected Tamralipti with:
A. Taxila
B. North-West India
C. Sri Lanka
D. Deccan ports
46. Nishka and Satamana were:
A. Taxes
B. Land grants
C. Coins
D. Weights
47. Gramabhojaka was:
A. Priest
B. Trader
C. Headman of village
D. Army officer
48. Craftsmen villages were known as:
A. Gramika
B. Karmakaragrama
C. Nagara
D. Pura
49. Rich peasants were called:
A. Dasas
B. Gahapatis
C. Shrenis
D. Nigamas
50. Irrigation channels were dug under the supervision of:
A. King
B. Merchant guilds
C. Village headman
D. Army officials
Answer
| Serial | Answer | Serial | Answer |
| 1 | c. Second Urbanisation | 26 | c. Bimbisara |
| 2 | c. Indo-Gangetic plains | 27 | b. Rathamusala and Mahashilakantaka |
| 3 | c. Iron agricultural tools | 28 | c. Udayin |
| 4 | c. Large territorial states | 29 | c. Vaishali |
| 5 | c. 16 | 30 | b. Magadha and Avanti |
| 6 | b. Ganga–Champa rivers confluence | 31 | c. Nanda |
| 7 | c. Kosala | 32 | c. Ekarat (sole sovereign) |
| 8 | c. Birthplace of Gautama Buddha | 33 | c. Chandragupta Maurya |
| 9 | b. Kosala | 34 | b. Rich iron deposits |
| 10 | c. Vajji Confederacy | 35 | b. Ganga and Son |
| 11 | c. Last events of Buddha’s life | 36 | b. 326 BCE |
| 12 | c. Central India (Bundelkhand) | 37 | b. Darius III |
| 13 | b. Kuru | 38 | c. Beas |
| 14 | c. Ganga river | 39 | a. Babylon |
| 15 | b. North and South Avanti | 40 | b. Improved Indo-Greek contacts |
| 16 | c. Trade and learning | 41 | c. Second Urbanisation |
| 17 | b. Excellent breed of horses | 42 | b. Gangetic plains |
| 18 | b. Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti | 43 | c. Fortified town |
| 19 | c. Republican states | 44 | b. Guilds of merchants and artisans |
| 20 | c. Ganapati | 45 | b. North-West India |
| 21 | c. Collective | 46 | c. Coins |
| 22 | c. Kshatriyas | 47 | c. Headman of village |
| 23 | b. Bimbisara | 48 | b. Karmakaragrama |
| 24 | c. Haryanka dynasty | 49 | b. Gahapatis |
| 25 | c. Five hills | 50 | c. Village headman |
Tips for Aspirants – Why These GK Questions Matter
If you’re aiming for exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, or other State Public Service Commissions, mastering History GK is a must. Questions from “The Mahajanapadas” are frequently repeated in exams because they establish a logical foundation for understanding the Historical Evolution of India.
🟢 These GK questions with answers help in:
- Strengthening your static GK base
- Quick revision of conceptual theories
- Differentiating between similar-sounding options
Pro Tip: Revise these questions multiple times, focus on keywords and try linking each theory to a scientist’s name—it really helps in the elimination strategy!
Conclusion
We hope you found this collection of 50 MCQs on The Mahajanapad helpful in your exam preparation. Historyisn’t just about memorising names and dates—it’s about understanding how our planet came to be and how it continues to change.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page and share the PDF with your study group. Keep practicing, and in Part 3, we’ll cover more questions on ancient history.
👉 Stay tuned for Ancient History GK Part-4: The Later Vedic Age MCQs
✍️ For more GK questions with answers, visit our dedicated 👉 GK Section.
