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Ancient History MCQs – 8 ( Magadh Dynasty )

Magadh Dynasty MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, State PSCs and other Examinations

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1. First king to have a standing army was ?

A. Chandra Gupta Maurya
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Kakavarna

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [B] Bimbisara

Bimbisara was the first king to have a standing army.
According to Buddhist chronicles, Bimbisara ruled for 52 years (544 BCE – 492 BCE).
Magadha came into prominence under his leadership.
He was a contemporary and a follower of the Buddha. He was also an admirer of Mahavira, who was also his contemporary.
He started the practice of using matrimonial alliances to strengthen his political position.
He had three wives:
- Kosala Devi → King of Kosala’s daughter and the sister of Prasenjit
- Chellana → Daughter of the Lichchavi chief of Vaishali
- Khema → Daughter of the king of Madra, Punjab
He had his capital at Girivraja/Rajagriha (Rajgir). It was surrounded by 5 hills, the openings of which were closed by stone walls on all sides. This made Rajagriha impregnable and Magadha a strong state.
He became a victim of patricide by his son Ajatasatru.

2. First Buddhist Council was convened by ?

A. Chandra Gupta Maurya
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Ajatasatru

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [D] Ajatasatru

Ajatashatru was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha.
He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.
Ajatshatru patronized the first Buddhist Council that was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha at around 483 BC.
He became a victim of patricide by his son Udayin.
Details about the Buddhist Councils:
1st Buddhist Council :
- Held at around 483 BC.
- It was presided over by monk Mahakasyapa.
- It was held in the Sattapani cave located at Rajgriha.
2nd Buddhist Council :
- Held in 383 BC.
- It was held at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the presidency of Sabakami.
3rd Buddhist Council :
- It was held in 250 BC at Pataliputra under the patronage of King Asoka and under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa.
4th Buddhist Council :
- It was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD under the patronage of Kushan king Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra, with Asvaghosa as his deputy.
- In this council, Buddhism was divided into 2 sects of Mahayana and Hinayana.

3. Who among the following transferred his royal residence Permanently from Rajgriha to Pataliputra.

A. Chandra Gupta Maurya
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Kakavarna

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [C] Udayin

Udayin was the son and successor of the Haryanka king Ajatashatru.
Udayin laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra at the confluence of two rivers, the Son and the Ganges.
He shifted his capital from Rajgriha to Patliputra.

4. The Haryanka dynasty of Magadh was followed by ?

A. Sisunaga Dynasty
B. Maurya Dynasty
C. Nanda Dynasty
D. None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [A] Sisunaga Dynasty

Sisunaga was the founder of the Sisunaga Dynasty.
Shishunaga was amatya (vedic name for minister) of the last Haranyaka king Nagadasaka.
He defeated the last Haryanka ruler and became king of Magadh.
Saisunaga also defeated the king of Avanti and made it a part of the Magadha Empire.
The Sisunaga Dynasty lasted from 413 BCE to 345 BCE.

5. The Second Buddhist Council was convened by ?

A. Chandra Gupta Maurya
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Kalasoka

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [D] Kalasoka

Kalasoka was the son of Sisunaga.
He conducted the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali.
Kalasoka was killed by the founder of the Nanda dynasty.

6. First ruler of the Nanda Dynasty was ?

A. Mahapadma Nanda
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Kalasoka

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [A] Mahapadma Nanda

The Nanda Dynasty was the first non-Kshatriya dynasty of ancient India.
It lasted from 345 BCE to 321 BCE.
The first ruler of the Nanda Dynasty was Mahapadma Nanda who usurped the throne of the last ruler of Shishunaga Dynasty.
He was also called “Sarva Kashtriyantaka” (destroyer of all the Kshatriyas) and “Ekrat” (sole sovereign who destroyed all other ruling princes).

7. Last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty was ?

A. Mahapadma Nanda
B. Dhana Nanda
C. Udayin
D. Kalasoka

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [B] Dhana Nanda

Dhana Nanda was the last Nanda ruler.
Dhana Nanda inherited a huge empire from his father and possessed a huge standing army.

8. The ‘Battle of Hydaspes’ was fought on the banks of river ?

A. Jhelum
B. Ravi
C. Ganges
D. Indus

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [A] Jhelum

The Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexander and Porus on the banks of river Hydaspes (Jhelum).
It was a well-contested battle.
Although Porus had a strong army, he lost the battle.

9. When Alexander invaded India, Magadha was ruled by ?

A. Mahapadma Nanda
B. Dhana Nanda
C. Udayin
D. ChandraGupta Maurya

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [B] Dhana Nanda

In 327 B.C. Alexander crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains and defeated Porus in the Battle of Hydaspes.
Alexander continued his march and wanted to proceed further eastwards towards the Gangetic valley. However, he could not proceed because of his army’s refusal.
Hardships of prolonged war made them exhausted and they wanted to return home.
Alexander could not persuade them and hence finally decided to return.
During this time Magadh was ruled by Dhana Nanda.

10. Chandragupta Maurya defeated which among the following rulers to establish Maurya Empire in Magadha ?

A. Mahapadma Nanda
B. Dhana Nanda
C. Udayin
D. Shishunaga

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer – [B] Dhana Nanda

Dhana Nanda became unpopular with his subjects due t0 his oppressive way of extorting taxes.
Also, his Sudra origins and an anti-Kshatriya policy led to a large number of enemies.
Finally, Dhana Nanda was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya along with Chanakya, who took advantage of the public resentment and established the Mauryan Empire in Magadha.

11. Which among the following rulers of the Nanda Dynasty was called ‘Ugrasena’ ?

A. Mahapadma Nanda
B. Dhana Nanda
C. Udayin
D. Kalasoka