Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 185

Which was the capital of "Malla" Mahajanpad?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical capitals of the ancient Indian Mahajanpads.

Correct Answer: C) Kushinara

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Malla Mahajanpad was one of the sixteen Mahajanpads (great kingdoms) that existed in ancient India. These Mahajanpads were powerful and influential states that emerged during the Vedic period and the subsequent period of the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. The Malla Mahajanpad was located in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent, primarily in the region that is now part of Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar.

The capital of the Malla Mahajanpad was Kushinara, which is now known as Kasia in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Kushinara is a significant site in Buddhist history as it is believed to be the place where the Buddha passed away. The city was an important center of the Malla kingdom and played a crucial role in the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.

It is important to distinguish the capital of the Malla Mahajanpad from the capitals of other Mahajanpads. For example, Champa was the capital of the Anga Mahajanpad, and Vaishali was the capital of the Vajji Mahajanpad. These capitals were located in different regions and were associated with different Mahajanpads. Confusion between these capitals can lead to incorrect answers in questions related to ancient Indian geography and history.

Understanding the capitals of the ancient Mahajanpads is essential for students preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, and Civil Services. These examinations often include questions on ancient Indian history and geography, and knowledge of the capitals of the Mahajanpads is a key component of this knowledge. By familiarizing oneself with the capitals of the Mahajanpads, students can improve their performance in these examinations and gain a deeper understanding of the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Champa is incorrect. Champa was the capital of the Anga Mahajanpad, not the Malla Mahajanpad. This option might be chosen due to confusion with other ancient Indian capitals.
  • Option B: Vaishali is incorrect. Vaishali was the capital of the Vajji Mahajanpad, not the Malla Mahajanpad. This option might be chosen due to confusion with other ancient Indian capitals.
  • Option C: Kushinara is correct. Kushinara was the capital of the Malla Mahajanpad. This option is the right answer because it correctly identifies the capital city of the Malla Mahajanpad.
  • Option D: None of the above is incorrect. This option is incorrect because Kushinara is indeed the capital of the Malla Mahajanpad. Choosing this option might be due to a lack of knowledge about the specific capitals of the ancient Mahajanpads.

Mnemonic: K for Kushinara, K for King's capital

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