[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 6. The Rise of Magadha

 

[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 6. The Rise of Magadha

One Liner of Ancient History - The Rise of Magadha

Here are 50 questions and one-liner answers based on Ancient Indian History - The Rise of Magadha:

Que. What was the political landscape of northern India in the early 6th century BC? Ans: A patchwork of independent kingdoms.

Que. What were the two main types of political systems prevalent in northern India at that time? 

Ans:  Monarchies and republics.

Que. What were the most powerful states of that era known as?

 Ans:  The Sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Que. Name one of the prominent Mahajanapadas besides Magadha. 

 Ans: Kosala.

Que. Which Mahajanapada eventually emerged as the most powerful? 

 Ans: Magadha.

Que. In which modern-day Indian state was Magadha located? 

 Ans: Bihar.

Que. What were the Sakyas of Kapilavastu known for? 

 Ans: Being a republic.

Que. What was the social organization during the Vedic period based on? 

 Ans: Four varnas (castes).

Que. Which religious movements emerged in the 6th century BC challenging Vedic beliefs? 

 Ans: Jainism and Buddhism.

Que. What led to the development of urban centers like Varanasi? 

 Ans: Growth of trade and commerce.

Que. What kind of governance did most kingdoms in the Gangetic plains have? 

 Ans: Monarchies.

Que. Where did republics primarily flourish in northern India? 

 Ans: Himalayan foothills and northwestern regions.

Que. What kind of texts mention the Sixteen Mahajanapadas? 

 Ans: Buddhist and Jain texts.

Que. Give an example of a tribal republic. 

 Ans: The Sakyas.

Que. How were decisions made in these republics? 

 Ans: By a public assembly through majority voting.

Que. What process occurred over time among the smaller kingdoms? 

 Ans: Political consolidation.

Que. By the mid-6th century BC, how many major kingdoms remained? 

 Ans: Four.

Que. Name one of the four remaining kingdoms by the mid-6th century BC. 

 Ans: Vatsa.

Que. What did this period of fragmentation and consolidation lay the groundwork for? 

 Ans: The rise of powerful empires.

Que. Which Buddhist text provides a list of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas? 

 Ans: The Anguttara Nikaya.

Que. On which riverbank was the Vatsa kingdom located? 

 Ans: Yamuna River.

Que. What was the capital of the Vatsa kingdom? 

 Ans: Kausambi.

Que. Who was a notable ruler of the Vatsa kingdom? 

 Ans: Udayana.

Que. With which kingdoms did Udayana form matrimonial alliances? 

 Ans: Avanti, Anga, and Magadha.

Que. Under whose control did the Vatsa kingdom eventually fall? 

 Ans: Avanti.

Que. What was the capital of the Avanti kingdom? 

 Ans: Ujjain.

Que. Who was the prominent ruler of the Avanti kingdom? 

 Ans: Pradyota.

Que. Whom did Pradyota marry from the Vatsa kingdom? 

 Ans: Vasavadatta.

Que. Which religion did Pradyota patronize? 

 Ans: Buddhism.

Que. Which empire ultimately conquered the Avanti kingdom? 

 Ans: Magadha.

Que. What was the capital of the Kosala kingdom? 

 Ans: Ayodhya.

Que. Who was a renowned ruler of the Kosala kingdom? 

 Ans: Prasenajit.

Que. Whom did Prasenajit marry from Magadha? 

 Ans: Bimbisara's sister.

Que. What did Kosala receive as dowry from Magadha? 

 Ans: The kingdom of Kasi.

Que. Following Prasenajit's death, which empire did Kosala become a part of? 

 Ans: Magadha.

Que. Where was Magadha strategically located? 

 Ans: Between the upper and lower Gangetic valley.

Que. What natural resource was found near Rajgir that benefited Magadha? 

 Ans: Iron ore.

Que. What served as the early capital of Magadha?

 Ans:  Rajagriha.

Que. Name two notable rulers who led Magadha to its zenith. 

 Ans: Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.

Que. What was Bimbisara known for besides military strength?

 Ans:  Strategic alliances and patronage of Buddhism.

Que. To which dynasty did Bimbisara belong?

 Ans:  Haryanka dynasty.

Que. Whom did Bimbisara marry from Kosala? 

 Ans: Kosaladevi.

Que. Which region did Bimbisara acquire as dowry? 

 Ans: Kasi.

Que. Which kingdom in the east did Bimbisara defeat and annex? 

 Ans: Anga.

Que. Which religions is Bimbisara associated with? 

 Ans: Jainism and Buddhism.

Que. Who succeeded Bimbisara as the ruler of Magadha? 

 Ans: Ajatasatru.

Que. Which formidable confederacy did Ajatasatru defeat? 

 Ans: The Licchavi confederacy of Vaisali.

Que. What strategic location did Ajatasatru fortify? 

 Ans: Pataligrama (later Pataliputra).

Que. Which Buddhist council did Ajatasatru convene? 

 Ans: The First Buddhist Council.

Que. Who laid the foundation for the new capital at Pataliputra after Ajatasatru? 

 Ans: Udayin.