Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The Pali texts mention mention sixteen Mahajanapadas. Most of these states were located in the upper and mid- Gangetic plains, including the Doab area covered by the Ganges, Yamuna, and their tributaries. 

Statement 2 is correct: The increased usage of iron in eastern Uttar Pradesh  and western Bihar from the sixth century BC onwards established circumstances for the creation of vast territorial states, i.e., the Mahajanapadas. The new agricultural techniques and implements allowed peasants to produce more food grains than they needed. The rise of large states with towns as their bases of operations strengthened the territorial idea. People owed strong allegiance to the janapada, or the territory to which they belonged, rather than to their jana, or tribe.

Ans: D

Exp:

In the 6th century BC, ancient India had several kingdoms. This era saw socio-economic growth along with religious and political developments across the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Pali texts show that the janapadas grew into mahajanapadas, i.e. large states or countries. These texts mention sixteen of them.  They were namely Anga, Magadha, Kasi, Vatsa, Kosala, Saurasena, Panchala, Kuru, Matsya, Chedi, Avanti, Gandhara, Kamboja, Assaka, Vajji, and Malla.

Ans: A

Exp:

Option (a) is incorrect: The earliest capital of Magadha was at Rajgir. Later, the capital was shifted from Rajgir to Pataliputra. Pataliputra occupied a pivotal position as it was on the riverine route along the Ganga River.

Option (b) is correct: Magadha came into prominence under the leadership of Bimbisara of the Haryanka dynasty.  His expansion of the kingdom, especially his annexation of the kingdom of Anga to the east, is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Mauryan empire. 

Option (c) is correct: Magadha enjoyed a special advantage in military organization. Although the Indian states were well acquainted with the use of horses and chariots, it was Magadha which first used elephants on a large scale in its wars against its neighbours. The eastern part of the country could supply elephants to the princes of Magadha. Elephants could be used to storm fortresses and to march across marshy and other areas lacking roads and other means of transport.

Option (d) is correct: Udayin was one of the prominent rulers of the Magadha empire.  He laid the foundation of the city of Paaliputra at the confluence of the Ganges and Son, at Patna. Patna lay at the centre of the Magadhan kingdom, which now extended from the Himalayas in the north to the hills of Chhotanagpur in the south. 

Ans: C

Exp:

The following conditions favour the expansion of Magadha:

• Pataliputra was a water fortress (jaladurga)-  The Magadha kingdom shifted their capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra in the fifth century BC. Pataliputra was at the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, the Gandak, and the Son. The army was able to proceed north, west, south, and east by following the paths of the rivers. Furthermore, it’s situation was rendered invulnerable because it was virtually surrounded by waterways.
• The Ganges as a means of transport and agricultural facilities– Magadha lay at the centre of the mid-Gangetic plains and the Ganges and its tributaries providing a means of both transport and agricultural facilities. As most of the mahajanapadas were located in the Gangetic plains, they could be reached by navigating the rivers.
• Rise of towns and use of metal money- The kingdom of Magadha benefited from the rise of towns and use of metal money. The rise of towns contributed to the  trade and commerce in north-east India and enabled the princes to levy tolls on the sale of commodities and accumulate wealth to pay and maintain their army.
• The unorthodox character of Magadhan society – The Magadhan Society had an unorthodox character. The society was inhabited by the Kiratas and Magadhas, who were held in low esteem by the orthodox brahmanas. The emergence of Jainism and Buddhism also led to changes in society and the thinking of the people.
• Advantage in Military organisation– Magadha enjoyed a special advantage in military organization. Although the Indian states were well acquainted with the use of horses and chariots, it was Magadha which first used elephants on a large scale in its wars against its neighbours. 

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Bimbisara was the founder of the Haryanka Dynasty, an early ruling dynasty of the Magadha Empire. Magadha came into prominence under his leadership. He used matrimonial alliances as a way to strengthen his political position. Example- Bimbisara’s first wife was the daughter of the king of Koshala. The marriage bought off the hostility of Koshala and gave Bimbisara a free hand in dealing with the other states.

Statement 2  is correct: The kingdom of Anga had its capital at Champa. One of the most notable conquests of Bimbisara was Anga.  He placed it under the viceroyalty of his son, Ajatashatru.

Statement 3  is incorrect: The Magadhan Empire was an ancient Indian kingdom that played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism. The early Magadhan monarchs, such as  Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, fostered Buddhism and Jainism. The Nanda Dynasty was predominantly Jain. They extended the Magadhan power by conquering Kalinga from where they brought an image of Jina as a victory trophy.