Mahajanapada and Their Capitals Quiz

Archeology

• Punched mark coins were used during the Mahajanapada period.

Mahajanapada and their Capitals

• Kashi (Banaras) was the capital of Mahajanapada.
• Anga's capital was Champa.
• Gandhar's capital was Taxila.
• Virat's capital was Virat Nagar.
• Matsya's capital was Virat Nagar.
• Sursena's capital was Mathura.
• Vatsa's capital was Kausambi.
• Avanti's capital was Ujjain.
• Magadha's capital was Rajgriha.
• Malla's capital was Kushinagar/Pawa.
• Assaka's capital was Potali/Potana.
• Koshala's capital was Shravashti.
• Kamboj's capital was Rajpur.
• Vajji's capital was Vaishali.
• Chedi/Cheti's capital was Suktimati/Sathhivati.

Buddhist Literature

• Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka are the three Pitakas of Buddhist scriptures.
• Vinaya Pitaka is the Disciplinary Code, compiled in the 1st Buddhist Council, and recited by Upali.
• Sutta Pitaka is the Conventional scripture, compiled in the 1st Buddhist Council, and recited by Ananda.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Moral scripture, a translation of Sutta Pitaka.
• Tripitaka was translated from Pali to Sanskrit.
• Canonical texts include Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• Non-canonical texts include Milindapanha, Neetipakarana, Vishuddhimagga, and Nidanakatha.

Symbols of Buddhism

• Lotus is a symbol of Buddhism.
• Buddha is also called Sakyamuni or Tathagata.
• Bodhi Tree is a symbol of Buddhism.
• Dharmachakra Pravartana is a symbol of Buddhism.
• Wheel is a symbol of Buddhism, associated with Dharmachakra Pravartana.
• Stupa/Footprints are symbols of Buddhism, associated with Mahaparinirvana.

Important Events

• Buddha was born in 566 BC and died in 483 BC.
• The first 5 disciples of Buddha were Audinya, Bhadrika, Vaspa, Mahanaman, and Kashyapa.
• Buddha taught in Pali.
• The concept of Upsampada is similar to Baptism in Christianity.

Concepts

• Maitreya is the future Buddha.
• Dipankara/Kassapa is the previous Buddha.
• Paribbajaka/Parivrajaka is a wanderer.
• Arhat is a concept in Buddhism.
• Buddhism teaches the Middle Path, unlike Jainism which teaches extremism.
• Buddhism does not idolize God or the soul.
• Buddhism emphasizes Karma and Ahimsa.
• Hinayana (Lesser Path) is a sub-sect of Buddhism.
• Theravada is a sub-sect of Buddhism.
• Bodhisattavas are associated with Mahayana Buddhism.
• Four Noble Truths are a fundamental concept in Buddhism.

Vedic Age

• The Vedic Age was characterized by a pastoral economy.
• The main occupation was agriculture.
• The society was patriarchal, but women had a respectable position.
• Family was the basic unit, with Kula referring to the family.
• Cows were considered providers of everything.
• Slavery was present in the Vedic Age.
• There were no cities in the Vedic Age.
• All deities were male, with few female goddesses.
• Indra was the most important deity.
• The Varna system was based on color.
• Materialistic focus was present in the Vedic Age.
• Religion was for personal use.
• Protection was a key concept in the Vedic Age.
• The polity was characterized by succession, but not only by the eldest son.
• Army was not a permanent group, and pastoralists acted as the army.
• Barter was prevalent, and there was no concept of private property.
• Gifts were given to the entire tribe, and there was no taxation.

Later Vedic Period

• The Later Vedic Period was characterized by a shift from pastoral to agricultural economy.
• The territory was expanded to the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
• Surplus production led to population growth, and eventually, the rise of cities.
• Agriculture became the main occupation.
• Multiple cereals and crops were introduced.
• The concept of property was introduced, and the status of women declined.
• Joint family was present, and the Gotra system was introduced.
• Village was the basic unit, and complexity rose.
• Interaction with Non-Aryans increased.
• Varna system was based on occupation, and Shudras were not entitled to Upanayana samskara.
• Ashram system took place, and Anulom and Pratilom marriages were mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad.
• Sacrifices became prominent, and idolatry appeared.
• Rituals changed, and prayers recital became less prominent.
• Rajasuya, Vajapeya, and Ashvamedha were important rituals.
• Territorial idea gained ground, and hereditary chieftainship was present.
• Divine nature of kingship was introduced, and the concept of taxation was introduced.
• Coinage system started, and Satamana was used as a form of currency.### Ancient Indian Culture
• Ashtadhyayi is the oldest surviving Sanskrit grammar book.

War Traditions

• Elephants were used on a large scale in wars.

Geography and Resources

• Rich iron deposits are found in the areas of Bihar (BR) and Jharkhand (JH).

Influential Texts

• Bhagvati Sutra is an important Jaina text.
• Parishistaparvan is another significant text.

Cultural Significance

• The meeting ground of two opposite cultures: Aryan and Non-Aryan cultures.