Sixth century B.C.E - Political Condition

Q.1 Matsya Mahajanapada of 6th Century B.C. was located in: (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017)

(a) Western Uttar Pradesh

(b) Rajasthan

(c) Bundelkhand

(d) Rohilkhand

Ans. (b)

Exp:

1.  The Matsya Mahajanapada was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas mentioned in Buddhist literature. It was located mainly in the region of present-day Rajasthan, particularly around: Alwar, Bharatpur and Jaipur regions of Rajasthan. Its capital was Viratanagara (modern Bairat/Bairat in Rajasthan). The famous site of Bairat (Viratanagara) is particularly important because of its association with Ashokan inscriptions and Buddhist remains. Hence, option (b) is correct.
2. Western Uttar Pradesh: This region was associated with Kuru and other Mahajanapadas, not primarily Matsya.
3. Bundelkhand: Bundelkhand was associated with the Chedi region.
4. Rohilkhand: The Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh is not the principal location of Matsya.

Q.2 Which was the first capital of ancient Mahajanapada Magadh? (66th B.P.S.C. (Pre.) 2020)

(a) Pataliputra

(b) Vaishali

(c) Champa

(d) Anga

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (e)

Exp:

·   The first capital of Magadha was Girivraja (Rajagriha/Rajgir). It was the capital during the early Magadhan period, particularly under rulers such as Bimbisara. Later, the capital was shifted to Pataliputra.

Q.3 The town of Kalpi is situated on the bank of the river – (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015)

(a) Ganga (b) Yamuna (c) Narmada (d) Krishna

Ans. (b)

Exp:

1. Kalpi is a historic town in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, situated on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. Kalpi was historically important because of its location along the Yamuna, which made it an important centre of trade and communication.
2. Quick river–city associations:

Q.4 Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists: (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020)

List–I              List-II

(Mahajanpadas)   (Capitals)

A. Matsya         1. Mathura

B. Kuru           2. Potan

C. Sursena         3. Virat Nagar

D. Asmak          4. Indraprastha

Code :

     A B C D

(a) 4 2 1 3

(b) 3 1 4 2

(c) 3 4 1 2

(d) 2 3 4 1

Ans. (c)

Exp:

1. The Matsya Mahajanapada was located mainly in present-day Rajasthan. Its capital was: Virat Nagar (Viratanagara). Modern Bairat in Rajasthan is identified with ancient Viratanagara.
2. The Kuru Mahajanapada was centred around the Delhi–Haryana–western Uttar Pradesh region. Its important capital was: Indraprastha, which is traditionally identified with the area of modern Delhi.
3. The Surasena (Sursena) Mahajanapada was located around the Mathura region. Its capital was: Mathura.
4. Asmaka (Assaka) was the only Mahajanapada located in southern India, generally associated with the Godavari valley. Its capital is traditionally identified as: Potali/Potana (Paudanya).

·  Quick Revision — Important Mahajanapada Capitals:

      Q.5 Who was the last King of Karnata dynasty? (60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016)

(a) Harisimha

(b) Ramsimha

(c) Matisimha

(d) Shyamsimha

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (a)

Exp:

1. The Karnata dynasty ruled Mithila (North Bihar) roughly from the 11th to the 14th century CE. It was founded by Nanyadeva around 1097 CE, with its capital at Simraungadh. The dynasty had several notable rulers, including: Nanyadeva → Gangadeva → Narasimha → Ramasimha → Shaktisimha → Harisimhadeva.
2. Harisimhadeva (Harisimha) was the last ruler of the Karnata dynasty. His reign ended when Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq's forces invaded Mithila around 1324 CE, bringing the Karnata rule to an end.