Magadha Empire Short Notes & MCQs for SSC, PSC, RRB Exams
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The Magadha Empire (6th to 4th century BC) was a powerful kingdom in ancient India that paved the way for the Mauryan Empire. This article breaks down its rise, key dynasties, foreign invasions, and societal change. And it also provides the most important MCQs for SSC, PSC, RRB exams from the topic.
The period from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC was marked by a struggle for supremacy among the four Mahajanapadas: Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa, and Avanti. Ultimately, Magadha emerged as the most powerful and prosperous kingdom in North India.
The founder of Magadha was Jarasandha and Brihadratha. But, the growth started under the Haryankas, expansion took place under the Shishunagas and Nandas, and reached its peak under the Mauryas.
Key Highlights of the Magadha Empire
Key Aspect
Details
Time Period
6th Century BC to 4th Century BC
Prominent Dynasties
Haryanka, Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya
Capital Cities
First Rajagriha (modern-day Rajgir) and then Pataliputra (modern-day Patna)
Major Contributions
Rise of Buddhism, Expansion of territory, Cultural & trade exchanges with foreign powers (Persians, Greeks)
Factors Behind the Rise of Magadha
The rise of Magadha was influenced by several geographical, political, and social factors:
Factor
Description
Geography
Located on fertile Gangetic plains, Magadha had easy access to trade routes and abundant natural resources.
Natural Resources
Rich in iron for weapon-making and agriculture due to alluvial soil and sufficient rainfall.
Social Structure
Magadha had unorthodox rulers and was more open to alliances, which helped in strengthening its position.
Strategic Alliances
Marital alliances with neighboring states ensured both political and military benefits.
Dynasties of Magadha Empire
Haryanka Dynasty (544 BC - 413 BC)
The Haryanka Dynasty laid the foundation for Magadha’s rise, with its rulers introducing key military and political strategies.
Key Rulers of the Haryanka Dynasty:
King
Key Achievements
Bimbisara (544 BC - 492 BC)
Built Rajgir (Girivraja) surrounded by five hills.
First ruler with a standing army (Seniya).
Defeated Anga King Brahmadatta and strengthened his own position by matrimonial alliances.
Married into royal families of Koshala, Lichchhavis, and Madra.
Known for diplomatic alliances and expanding Magadha's influence.
Sent his personal physician, Jivaka, to his rival Avanti king Chandapradyota Mahasena of Ujjain, to cure him of jaundice.
Ajatashatru (492 BC - 460 BC)
Killed his father, Bimbisara to seize the throne. He adopted an aggressive policy of expansion and gained complete control over Kasi.
Defeated his maternal uncle Prasenjit, king of Kosala, and married his daughter Vijjira.
Destroyed Vaishali (capital of the Lichchhavis) after a protracted war of sixteen years, by sowing the seeds of discord amongst the people of Vaishali.
Built fortifications like Rajagriha and Jaladurga.
He patronized the first Buddhist Council and Buddha died during his reign.
Udayin (460 BC - 444 BC)
Son and successor of Ajatashatru.
Moved the capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra (modern Patna).
His reign marked the beginning of the shift to a more centralized government.
Udayin was succeeded by weak rulers Anuruddha, Munda, and Naga Dasak.
Naga Dasak was the last ruler of Haryanka dynasty from 437 to 413 BCE and son of Munda.
Shishunaga Dynasty (412 BC - 344 BC)
The Shishunaga Dynasty continued the expansion of Magadha, even overthrowing the rival Pradyota Dynasty of Avanti.
King
Key Achievements
Shishunaga (412 BC - 394 BC)
Shishunaga was the minister of Naga Dasak and was elected by the people.
Overthrew Pradyota Dynasty of Avanti ending the hundred-year-old rivalry between the two states and Avanti became a part of Magadh.
Moved the capital to Vaishali.
Kalashoka (Kakavarin) (394 BC - 344 BC)
He succeeded Shishunaga.
Convened the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali (383 BC).
Known for strengthening the empire and continuing expansion.
The 10th and the last ruler of the Shishunaga dynasty as per Puranas was Mahanandin. Mahanandin was killed by his illegitimate son from a Shudra wife named Mahapadmananda.
Nanda Dynasty (344 BC - 323 BC)
The Nanda Dynasty marked the rise of Mahapadmananda, who consolidated power and expanded Magadha significantly. It is considered to be the first non-Kshatriya dynasty of Magadha.
King
Key Achievements
Mahapadmananda (344 BC - 324 BC)
The great conqueror and founder of the Nanda dynasty.
Also known as 'Ekarat', 'Eka-chhatra' (sovereign ruler), or Ugrasena i.e. owner of a huge army (Pali texts).
Known as "The first empire-builder of Indian History".
Conquered Koshala and Kalinga.
Built a massive army, become known as Sarvakshatrantaka (uprooter of Kshatriyas).
Succeeded by his eight sons, the last one being Dhanananda.
Dhanananda (324 BC - 323 BC)
The last Nanda ruler.
Faced the invasion of Alexander the Great in 326 BC.
Overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya).
Important Magadha Empire MCQs for SSC, PSC, RRB & Other Competitive Exams
The Magadha Empire was the cradle of India's early imperial age, laying the foundation for the Mauryan Empire. Its success was due to strategic alliances, military innovations, and socio-political reforms, as well as the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. By shaping trade routes and promoting cultural exchanges, it left a lasting legacy on the Indian subcontinent.
PracticeShow All Answers
Q1: Name the kingdom which first used elephants in wars?
A. Magadha
B. Avanti
C. Vatsa
D. Kosala
The kingdom of Magadha, under King Bimbisara, was the first to use elephants in war around 543 BC. Elephants became a crucial part of military strategies in ancient India, and Magadha's success in unifying the northern region was partly due to its effective use of elephants in battle.
Q2: ________ was the capital of Magadha before the 4th century BCE.
A. Pataliputra
B. Vaishali
C. Rajagriha
D. Ujjain
Before the 4th century BCE, the capital of Magadha was Rajagriha (modern-day Rajgir). This ancient city was the center of power for several Magadhan rulers, including Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. It is also known for its proximity to the Buddha’s life, with many important events in Buddhism occurring here.
Q3: In the 4th century BCE, the capital of Magadha was shifted to ________.
A. Vaishali
B. Taxila
C. Rajagriha
D. Pataliputra
In the 4th century BCE, Magadha's capital was moved from Rajagriha to Pataliputra (modern Patna). Under Chandragupta Maurya, Pataliputra became the heart of the Mauryan Empire and one of the great cities of ancient India, strategically located at the confluence of major rivers.
Q4: The first ruler of Magadha from the Haryanka dynasty was ________.
A. Mahapadmananda
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayin
D. Ajatashatru
Bimbisara was the first prominent ruler of the Haryanka dynasty. He expanded the Magadhan empire and established its early dominance, playing a key role in its military and political strategies, including the use of war elephants.
Q5: ________ was one of the powerful rulers of Magadha.
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Bimbisara
C. Dhanananda
D. Kalashoka
Bimbisara was one of the most powerful and influential rulers of Magadha, who played a significant role in its early expansion and establishment as a dominant kingdom in northern India. He also fostered alliances with other kingdoms, notably through his marriage to the Kosala princess.
Q6: Ajatashatru, a ruler of the Haryanka Dynasty, was the son of ________.
A. Dhanananda
B. Mahapadmananda
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Bimbisara
Ajatashatru, who succeeded Bimbisara, was the son of Bimbisara. His reign was marked by internal conflicts, including his role in his father’s assassination, as well as wars with neighboring states like the Vajjis and the powerful Licchavis.
Q7: The famous physician Jeevaka was appointed by the court of:
A. Ajatashatru
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Mahapadmananda
D. Bimbisara
Jeevaka, one of the most renowned physicians of ancient India, was appointed by King Bimbisara of Magadha. He was closely associated with the royal court and is often mentioned in Buddhist texts as a healer for both the king and the people of the region.
Q8: Bimbisara sent Jeevaka, a royal physician, to treat the ruler of which dynasty?
A. Kalinga
B. Kosala
C. Avanti
D. Gandhara
Bimbisara sent Jeevaka to treat the ruler of the Avanti kingdom. Avanti, located in central India, was an important kingdom during the time and often in conflict with Magadha.
Q9: Which of the following rulers did NOT belong to the Maurya dynasty?
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Bindusara
C. Bimbisara
D. Ashoka
Bimbisara was not part of the Maurya dynasty; he was the ruler of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha. The Maurya dynasty, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, succeeded the Nanda and Haryanka dynasties.
Q10: Which ruler murdered his father, Bimbisara, to ascend the throne?
A. Ajatashatru
B. Mahapadmananda
C. Dhanananda
D. Udayin
Ajatashatru, the son of Bimbisara, is said to have imprisoned and possibly killed his father to take the throne of Magadha. His reign was marked by significant political and military challenges, including wars with the Vajjis and the expansion of the empire.
Q11: King Ajatashatru was a ruler of the ________ dynasty.
A. Haryanka
B. Nanda
C. Maurya
D. Shishunaga
Ajatashatru was a ruler of the Haryanka dynasty, succeeding his father Bimbisara. He is notable for his conflict with the Licchavis and his role in the spread of Buddhism.
Q12: Ajatashatru sent his minister named Vassakara to the Buddha to get his advice on the matter related to the attack on the ________.
A. Vajjis
B. Kosala
C. Vatsa
D. Kalinga
Ajatashatru sought the Buddha’s advice through his minister Vassakara about attacking the Vajjis, a confederation of tribes who were allied with the Licchavis. The Buddha’s counsel ultimately led to the decision to delay the war.
Q13: Name the Indian ruler of the Haryanka dynasty who was the son of Ajatashatru and who laid the foundation of the city of Pataliputra.
A. Bimbisara
B. Dhanananda
C. Mahapadmananda
D. Udayin
Udayin, the son of Ajatashatru, is credited with founding the city of Pataliputra (modern Patna), which would later become the capital of the Maurya dynasty under Chandragupta Maurya.
Q14: What was the name of the first dynasty that ruled over the Magadh kingdom?
A. Maurya dynasty
B. Nanda dynasty
C. Shishunaga dynasty
D. Haryanka dynasty
The Haryanka dynasty was the first dynasty to rule over Magadha. It was founded by Bimbisara and continued through his son Ajatashatru. The dynasty is credited with expanding the Magadhan empire and setting the stage for the later Mauryan Empire.
Q15: First ruler of the Nanda dynasty was ________.
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Mahapadma Nanda
C. Bimbisara
D. Dhanananda
Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty. He was known for his expansionist policies and was a powerful ruler who laid the foundation for the rise of the Mauryan Empire.
Q16: Mahapadma Nanda ruled over the kingdom of ________.
A. Avanti
B. Vatsa
C. Kalinga
D. Magadha
Mahapadma Nanda ruled over the Magadha kingdom. His reign marked the end of the Haryanka dynasty and the beginning of the Nanda dynasty, which later paved the way for Chandragupta Maurya and the Mauryan Empire.
Q17: Who was called “Agrammes” or “Xandrames” by the Greek writers?
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Dhanananda
C. Bimbisara
D. Mahapadmananda
Dhanananda, the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, was referred to as “Agrammes” or “Xandrames” by Greek historians like Megasthenes. He was known for his tyranny and was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.
Q18: Last ruler of the Nanda dynasty was ________.
A. Bimbisara
B. Dhanananda
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Mahapadmananda
Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, and his reign ended when he was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, leading to the establishment of the Mauryan Empire.
Q19: Who wrote the grammatical work Ashtadhyayi (first grammar book of Sanskrit language)?
A. Kalidasa
B. Patanjali
C. Kautilya
D. Panini
Panini, an ancient Indian scholar, wrote the Ashtadhyayi, a foundational work on Sanskrit grammar. His work laid the foundations for the study of linguistics and remains influential to this day.
Q20: Which of the following pairs of ‘Name of Ruler - Empire’ is correctly matched?
A. Chandragupta Maurya - Gupta Empire
B. Mahapadma Nanda - Magadha Empire
C. Bimbisara - Gupta Empire
D. Ashoka - Mauryan Empire
Mahapadma Nanda was the ruler of the Magadha Empire. The Gupta Empire was founded much later by Chandragupta I, while the Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, was the one associated with Ashoka.
Q21: Which dynasty was ruling Magadha immediately before Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire in Ancient India?
A. Gupta
B. Nanda
C. Maurya
D. Shishunaga
Before Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire, the Nanda dynasty ruled over Magadha. The Nanda dynasty was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of his advisor Chanakya.
Q22: Iron mines in Jharkhand attributed to the rise of which kingdom in ancient India?
A. Vatsa
B. Magadha
C. Gupta
D. Maurya
The iron mines in Jharkhand contributed to the rise of Magadha, which benefited from the abundant iron resources, crucial for its military expansion. The use of iron in weapons helped strengthen Magadha’s military prowess.
Q23: In which battle did Alexander the Great defeat Porus of Paurava in 326 BC?
A. Battle of Kalinga
B. Battle of Magadha
C. Battle of Panipat
D. Battle of Hydaspes
Alexander the Great defeated Porus, the ruler of Paurava, in the Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BCE. This battle, fought along the river Jhelum, was one of Alexander’s most difficult victories due to the strong resistance from Porus’s forces.
