CBSE Questions for Class 6 History Kingdoms Kings And An Early Republic Quiz 4 - MCQExams.com

The large and powerful janapadas were referred to as Mahajanapadas. The Buddhist and Jain texts mention the names of sixteen Mahajanapadas. These were Anga, Asmaka, Avanti, Chedi, Gandhara, Kashi, Kamboja, Kosala, Kuru, Magadha, Malla, Machha, Panchala, Surasena, Vriji, and Vatsa.

The capital of Vatsa lay 40 miles from Allahabad at Kausambi. Kausambi was a strong, fortified capital located near the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna.

The following factor helped Magadha to achieve success:
1. Presence of natural resources such as iron ore helped Magadha as they contributed to the making of effective weapons and tools.
2. Strategic location at the confluence of Ganga and Son rivers was beneficial for Magadha and also boosted trade and commerce.

Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty. Nandas took over Magadha in about 360 BC.

The word Janapada literally means the land. Archaeologists have excavated a number of settlements in these Janapadas, such as Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapur near Meerut, and Atranjikhera, near Etah (the last two are in Uttar Pradesh).