Rise of Magadha MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Rise of Magadha - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Bimbisara.

Key Points

• Magadha Empire was founded by Bimbisara.
• Bimbisara (Shronika) (544 BC - 492 BC) was the founder of the Haryanaka Dynasty.
• He was contemporary to Gautama Buddha.
• He built the city of New Rajagriha.

Additional Information

• Bimbisara was succeeded by his son Ajatashatru (492 BC - 460 BC).
• Ajatashatru killed his father and seized the throne.
• Kalashoka or Kakavarna was the son and successor of Shishunaga.
• The Second Buddhist Council held 100 years after the Maha Parinirvana of Lord Buddha, in Vaishali, was patronized by King Kalashoka.
• Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty of ancient India.
• Dhana Nanda was dethroned by Chandragupta Maurya to establish the Maurya dynasty.

The correct answer is - Dhana Nanda

Key Points

• Dhana Nanda
  • In 326 B.C., when Alexander the Great invaded India, the Nanda Dynasty was ruling the Magadha region.
  • Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty, known for his vast wealth and centralized administration.
  • He was unpopular among his subjects due to his oppressive tax policies and amassed immense treasure, which later became a reason for his downfall.
  • His rule coincided with Alexander's invasion, but Alexander did not directly engage with Magadha as his campaign ended near the Beas River in Punjab.

Additional Information

• Nanda Dynasty
  • The Nanda Dynasty was established by Mahapadma Nanda, who is considered the first ruler of the dynasty.
  • It was known for its large standing army, which included approximately 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots, and 3,000 war elephants as per Greek accounts.
• Alexander's Invasion
  • Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C. and fought the famous Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) against King Porus.
  • He halted his campaign at the Beas River due to the resistance from his army, which refused to march further east because of the looming threat of larger Indian armies such as that of Magadha.
• Chandragupta Maurya
  • Chandragupta Maurya overthrew Dhana Nanda with the help of his mentor, Chanakya, and founded the Maurya Empire around 321 B.C..
  • This marked the end of the Nanda Dynasty and the rise of one of India's greatest empires.

The correct answer is - Ajatshatru

Key Points

• Ajatshatru
  • Ajatshatru was a prominent king of the Haryanka dynasty in Magadha (modern-day Bihar, India).
  • He ruled from approximately 492 BCE to 460 BCE.
  • Ajatshatru is credited with the creation of several innovative weapons, including the Mahashilakantaka (a large catapult) and the Rathmoosal (a chariot equipped with a mace).
  • These weapons played a crucial role in his military campaigns and significantly enhanced his combat capabilities.
  • Ajatshatru used these weapons in his wars against neighboring states, including the Licchavis of Vaishali.

Additional Information

• Mahapadmanand
  • He was the founder of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha, which succeeded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Mahapadmanand is known for expanding the Nanda Empire and accumulating vast wealth.
  • He is not specifically credited with the creation of the mentioned weapons.
• Shishunag
  • He was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty in Magadha, which preceded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Shishunag is known for his administrative skills and the consolidation of the Magadha kingdom.
  • There are no records of him inventing or using the mentioned weapons.
• Chanda Pradyota
  • He was the king of Avanti, a kingdom in ancient India.
  • Chanda Pradyota is known for his conflicts with neighboring states and his ambition to expand his kingdom.
  • He is not associated with the invention of the specific weapons mentioned.

The correct answer is: '4) Girivraja'.

Key Points

• The earliest capital of Magadha was at Rajgir, which was also called Girivraja.
  • This statement is correct.
  • Rajgir, also known as Girivraja, was the first capital of the Magadha kingdom. The name "Girivraja" translates to "the abode among the hills" which aptly describes the topographical nature of Rajgir, surrounded by five hills.
  • It was during the time of the Haryanka dynasty that Rajgir served as the capital. Bimbisara, the notable king of the Haryanka dynasty, ruled from Rajgir.

Incorrect Options

• Anga
  • Anga was a separate kingdom located to the east of Magadha. It was later annexed by the Magadha empire during the reign of Bimbisara.
• Pataliputra
  • Pataliputra was the subsequent capital of Magadha after Rajgir. It became the capital during the reign of Ajatashatru, the successor of Bimbisara, and remained an important city throughout ancient Indian history.
• Kushinagar
  • Kushinagar is historically significant as the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It was not associated with being a capital of Magadha.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4, Girivraja.

Additional Information

• Magadha's Historical Significance:
  • Magadha was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (great kingdoms) of ancient India. It played a crucial role in the development of Indian civilization and culture.
  • The region saw the rise of powerful dynasties such as the Haryanka, Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, and Gupta dynasties, which contributed significantly to the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.
• Rajgir's Historical Importance:
  • Rajgir was an important city during the time of both Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha. It hosted significant events in both Jainism and Buddhism, making it a prominent pilgrimage site for both religions.
  • The city is also known for its hot springs and ancient architectural remnants, including the cyclopean walls and the Vulture's Peak, a notable Buddhist site.

The correct answer is - Mahapadma Nanda

Key Points

• Mahapadma Nanda
  • Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty and is often referred to as the "first historical emperor of India".
  • He is called "Sarvakshatrantak" which translates to "destroyer of all Kshatriyas".
  • Mahapadma Nanda is known for his conquests and the expansion of his empire, which led to the suppression of many Kshatriya dynasties.
  • He is credited with establishing a strong centralized state which laid the foundation for the future Mauryan Empire.

Additional Information

• Bimbisara
  • He was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in ancient India.
  • Bimbisara is best known for his policies of expansion through marriage alliances and conquests.
  • He was a contemporary of the Buddha and supported Buddhism.
• Ajatashatru
  • He was the son of Bimbisara and succeeded him as the king of Magadha.
  • Ajatashatru is known for his aggressive expansionist policies and conflicts with the neighboring kingdoms.
  • He is also known for the construction of a fort at Pataliputra.
• Shishunaga
  • He was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty, which succeeded the Haryanka dynasty in Magadha.
  • Shishunaga is known for his administrative reforms and the consolidation of the Magadha kingdom.
  • His reign saw the annexation of the Avanti kingdom.

Magadha was a region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Kingdoms' of the Second Urbanization (600–200 BCE) in what is now south Bihar (before expansion) at the eastern Ganges Plain.

• Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism. Important Points

1. Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about two hundred years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha.
2. This was important for transport, and water supplies making the land fertile.
3. Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts, and chariots.
4. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

Hence, Magadha becomes the most powerful mahajanpada in 200 years because it has Various rivers and forest areas. It has also the Iron ore mines.

The correct answer is both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).Key Points

• Assertion (A) is true because there is historical evidence to suggest that Ajatashatru murdered his father, Bimbisara, in order to become the ruler of Magadha.
• Reason (R) is also true because it provides a motive for Ajatashatru's actions.
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have had a strong incentive to murder his father, who was the current ruler.
• In addition, Reason (R) provides a logical explanation for Assertion (A).
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have also been motivated to annex Kosala, which was a neighbouring kingdom.

• By annexing Kosala, Ajatashatru would have increased the size and power of his kingdom, which would have made him even more secure in his position as ruler.

​Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

The correct chronological order is D - E - A - C - B.Key Points

• Ajatastru's War with Lichchhavis:
  • This event took place around the 5th century BCE.
  • Ajatastru, the king of Magadha, engaged in a war with the Lichchhavi kingdom, which was located in present-day Bihar, India.
• Fight between Alexander and Porus:
  • This event occurred in 326 BCE.
  • Alexander the Great, the Greek conqueror, invaded the Indian subcontinent and faced Porus, a regional king in the Punjab region.
  • The battle between Alexander and Porus is famously known as the Battle of the Hydaspes.
• Alexander's death:
  • After his conquests in India, Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE in Babylon, at the age of 32.
  • His death marked the end of his empire and the beginning of a period of political turmoil.
• Coronation of Aśoka:
  • Aśoka, also known as Emperor Ashoka, ascended to the Maurya throne in 268 BCE.
  • He is renowned for his conversion to Buddhism and his subsequent efforts to promote peace, welfare, and religious tolerance throughout his empire.
• Nahapana defeated and killed by Gautamiputra:
  • This event occurred in the 1st century CE.
  • Nahapana was a powerful Indo-Scythian king who ruled in western India.

  • Gautamiputra Satakarni, a ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, defeated and killed Nahapana, thus consolidating his own rule in the region.

​So the correct order is

The correct answer is - Dhana Nanda

Key Points

• Dhana Nanda
  • In 326 B.C., when Alexander the Great invaded India, the Nanda Dynasty was ruling the Magadha region.
  • Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty, known for his vast wealth and centralized administration.
  • He was unpopular among his subjects due to his oppressive tax policies and amassed immense treasure, which later became a reason for his downfall.
  • His rule coincided with Alexander's invasion, but Alexander did not directly engage with Magadha as his campaign ended near the Beas River in Punjab.

Additional Information

• Nanda Dynasty
  • The Nanda Dynasty was established by Mahapadma Nanda, who is considered the first ruler of the dynasty.
  • It was known for its large standing army, which included approximately 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots, and 3,000 war elephants as per Greek accounts.
• Alexander's Invasion
  • Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C. and fought the famous Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) against King Porus.
  • He halted his campaign at the Beas River due to the resistance from his army, which refused to march further east because of the looming threat of larger Indian armies such as that of Magadha.
• Chandragupta Maurya
  • Chandragupta Maurya overthrew Dhana Nanda with the help of his mentor, Chanakya, and founded the Maurya Empire around 321 B.C..
  • This marked the end of the Nanda Dynasty and the rise of one of India's greatest empires.

The correct answer is - Ajatshatru

Key Points

• Ajatshatru
  • Ajatshatru was a prominent king of the Haryanka dynasty in Magadha (modern-day Bihar, India).
  • He ruled from approximately 492 BCE to 460 BCE.
  • Ajatshatru is credited with the creation of several innovative weapons, including the Mahashilakantaka (a large catapult) and the Rathmoosal (a chariot equipped with a mace).
  • These weapons played a crucial role in his military campaigns and significantly enhanced his combat capabilities.
  • Ajatshatru used these weapons in his wars against neighboring states, including the Licchavis of Vaishali.

Additional Information

• Mahapadmanand
  • He was the founder of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha, which succeeded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Mahapadmanand is known for expanding the Nanda Empire and accumulating vast wealth.
  • He is not specifically credited with the creation of the mentioned weapons.
• Shishunag
  • He was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty in Magadha, which preceded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Shishunag is known for his administrative skills and the consolidation of the Magadha kingdom.
  • There are no records of him inventing or using the mentioned weapons.
• Chanda Pradyota
  • He was the king of Avanti, a kingdom in ancient India.
  • Chanda Pradyota is known for his conflicts with neighboring states and his ambition to expand his kingdom.
  • He is not associated with the invention of the specific weapons mentioned.

The correct answer is Bimbisara.

Key Points

• Magadha Empire was founded by Bimbisara.
• Bimbisara (Shronika) (544 BC - 492 BC) was the founder of the Haryanaka Dynasty.
• He was contemporary to Gautama Buddha.
• He built the city of New Rajagriha.

Additional Information

• Bimbisara was succeeded by his son Ajatashatru (492 BC - 460 BC).
• Ajatashatru killed his father and seized the throne.
• Kalashoka or Kakavarna was the son and successor of Shishunaga.
• The Second Buddhist Council held 100 years after the Maha Parinirvana of Lord Buddha, in Vaishali, was patronized by King Kalashoka.
• Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty of ancient India.
• Dhana Nanda was dethroned by Chandragupta Maurya to establish the Maurya dynasty.

Magadha was a region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Kingdoms' of the Second Urbanization (600–200 BCE) in what is now south Bihar (before expansion) at the eastern Ganges Plain.

• Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism. Important Points

1. Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about two hundred years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha.
2. This was important for transport, and water supplies making the land fertile.
3. Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts, and chariots.
4. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

Hence, Magadha becomes the most powerful mahajanpada in 200 years because it has Various rivers and forest areas. It has also the Iron ore mines.

The correct answer is both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).Key Points

• Assertion (A) is true because there is historical evidence to suggest that Ajatashatru murdered his father, Bimbisara, in order to become the ruler of Magadha.
• Reason (R) is also true because it provides a motive for Ajatashatru's actions.
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have had a strong incentive to murder his father, who was the current ruler.
• In addition, Reason (R) provides a logical explanation for Assertion (A).
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have also been motivated to annex Kosala, which was a neighbouring kingdom.

• By annexing Kosala, Ajatashatru would have increased the size and power of his kingdom, which would have made him even more secure in his position as ruler.

​Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Jarasandha and Brihadratha was the founder of Magadha but the growth started under the Haryankas, expansion took place under the Sisungas and Nandas and reached under its zenith point under the Mauryas.

Important Points

• The Malwa region occupies a plateau in western Madhya Pradesh and south-eastern Rajasthan, with Gujarat in the west.
  • The region includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of Agar, Dewas, Dhar, Indore, Jhabua, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur, Ujjain, and parts of Guna and Sehore, and the Rajasthan districts of Jhalawar and parts of Kota, Banswara, and Pratapgarh.
• Haryanka Dynasty: There were three important kings in Haryanaka Dynasty- Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, and Udayin.
• Bimbisara:
  • Was the first king to have a standing army. Magadha came into prominence under his leadership.
  • He had a rivalry with Avanti king Pradyota, but later became friends and Bimbsara even sent his royal physician Jivaka to Ujjain, when Pradyota had jaundice.
  • He started the practice of using matrimonial alliances to strengthen his political position.
  • He followed a policy of conquest and expansion. The most notable conquest by Bimbisara was that of Anga.
  • He had an effective and excellent administrative system. The officers occupying high posts were divided into three – executive, military and judicial.
• Ajatashatru:
  • He killed his father and became ruler.
  • Embraced Buddhism.
  • He convened the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha just after the death of Buddha in 483 BCE. 
  • Won wars against Kosala and Vaishali.
  • Ajatashatru waged a war against Vaishali despite the fact that his mother was a Lichchhavi princess. It took him 16 long years to destroy Vaishali and add it to his empire.
  • He used a war engine to throw stones like catapults. He also possessed chariots to which maces were attached which facilitated mass killings.
  • The ruler of Avanti tried to invade Magadha and to thwart this danger Ajatashatru began the fortification of Rajgriha. However, the invasion did not materialize during his lifetime.
•  According to Sri Lankan chronicles, the people of Magadha revolted during the reign of Nagadasaka and placed an Amatya (minister) named Sisunaga as the king.  Sisunaga dynasty lasted from 413 BCE to 345 BCE.
• Sisunaga
  • Was the viceroy of Kasi before becoming king of Magadha.
  • The capital was Girivaraja.
  • The most important achievement of Shishunaga was the destruction of the power of Avanti with its capital at Ujjain.
  • This brought to an end the 100-year-old rivalry between Magadha and Avanti. 
  • Avanti became a part of the Magadha empire and continued to be so till the end of the Mauryan rule.
  • Later shifted the capital to Vaishali.

Thus, we can say that the expansion of Magadha on Malwa Plateau was under the reign of Sisunaga as Ujjain comes under Malwa Plateau.

Magadha was a region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Kingdoms' of the Second Urbanization (600–200 BCE) in what is now south Bihar (before expansion) at the eastern Ganges Plain.

• Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism. Important Points

1. Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about two hundred years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha.
2. This was important for transport, and water supplies making the land fertile.
3. Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts, and chariots.
4. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

Hence, Magadha becomes the most powerful mahajanpada in 200 years because it has Various rivers and forest areas. It has also the Iron ore mines. Therefore, the correct option is A and C.