History Quiz: Janapadas to Mahajanapadas

What period witnessed the transition from a tribal polity based on lineage to a territorial state?

• Sultanate period

• Vedic period

• Mughal period

• Mauryan period

What does the term 'Janapada' literally mean?

• Tribe or clan

• Territory

• Government

• Sovereignty

What marked the formation of the state in the Gangetic plains during the Mahajanapadas era?

• Religious conflicts

• Agricultural surplus

• Foreign invasions

• Trade routes

How many Mahajanapadas are mentioned in Puranic, Buddhist, and Jaina traditions?

• 24

• 12

• 16

• 20

What were the proto-states of the Gangetic region known as?

• Oligarchies

• Republics

• Monarchies

• Chiefdoms

Which kingdom was known for its gana-sangha or oligarchic form of governance?

• Kosala

• Vajji

• Magadha

• Kasi

What was the established practice in the Mahajanapadas on the Gangetic plains?

• Ajivikas

• Jainism

• Vedic orthodoxy

• Buddhism

Who provided legitimacy to the king through various rituals in the Mahajanapadas?

• Priests

• Artisans

• Merchants

• Warriors

What was the main source of revenue for the king in the Mahajanapadas?

• Land revenue

• Trade tariffs

• Religious donations

• Foreign aid

What was the social category below the shudras in the Mahajanapadas society?

• Untouchables

• Vaishyas

• Kshatriyas

• Brahmins