CAPF AC 2020 Q52: Ancient History – Mahajanapadas & Early Kingdoms
Which one of the following is NOT listed as one of the sixteen mahajanapadas in the pre-Mauryan period?
- (a) Kuru
- (b) Vatsa
- (c) Gandhara
- (d) Kalinga
Answer: (d) Kalinga
Explanation
The sixteen mahajanapadas
How to think: Kalinga is famous for the war fought by Ashoka.
That is the Mauryan age, later than the mahajanapadas.
| Option | In the list of sixteen? | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Kuru | Yes | Indraprastha |
| (b) Vatsa | Yes | Kaushambi |
| (c) Gandhara | Yes | Taxila |
| (d) Kalinga | No | Conquered by Ashoka in about 261 BCE |
The sixteen mahajanapadas:
| Region | Names |
|---|---|
| East | Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla |
| Middle Ganga | Kashi, Kosala, Vatsa, Chedi |
| West and north | Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Shurasena |
| Far north-west | Gandhara, Kamboja |
| Centre and south | Avanti, Ashmaka |
The list comes from the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya.
Answer: (d) Kalinga.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Kuru is one of the sixteen, with its capital at Indraprastha.
- (b) Incorrect. Vatsa is one of the sixteen, with its capital at Kaushambi.
- (c) Incorrect. Gandhara is one of the sixteen, with its capital at Taxila.
- (d) CORRECT. Kalinga is not in the list of sixteen mahajanapadas.
Key point
16 mahajanapadas (6th century BCE; Anguttara Nikaya): Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti were the strongest. Kalinga is not in the list. Ashmaka was the only one in the south.
Remember
Kalinga was not a mahajanapada.
Common mistakes
- Adding Kalinga because it is a well-known ancient kingdom.
- Forgetting that Ashmaka on the Godavari was the only southern mahajanapada.
- Mixing up capitals: Kaushambi belongs to Vatsa, Ujjain to Avanti.
Exam tip
Kalinga goes with Ashoka, not with the sixteen. Place each name in its age.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part I, Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns
- NCERT Class VI History — Our Pasts I (Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic)