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RAS question

Bimbisara, the founder of Magadha's power, belonged to which dynasty?

Correct answer: (D) Haryanka.

Bimbisara, credited with founding Magadha's power, belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.

  1. (A)

    Shishunaga

  2. (B)

    Maurya

  3. (C)

    Nanda

  4. (D)

    Haryanka

Explanation

Bimbisara is linked with the rise of Magadha because he founded the Haryanka dynasty and strengthened the kingdom through both diplomacy and conquest. He is placed around 544-492 BCE and used matrimonial alliances with the princesses of Kosala, Vaishali and Madra, along with the conquest of Anga, to turn Magadha into a stronger power. The Government of Bihar's history section supports the dynastic identification: under "Dynasty of Haryanka", it states that the Haryanka dynasty lasted from 544 to 492 B.C. and was established by Bimbisara. It also places this under pre-Mauryan Magadha, making Haryanka the correct answer rather than any later Magadhan dynasty.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Shishunaga is wrong because the Government of Bihar page identifies Shishunaga, not Bimbisara, as the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty, which it places later, from 412 B.C. to 344 B.C.
  • (B) Maurya is wrong because the Government of Bihar says the Mauryan dynasty lasted from 321 B.C. to 184 B.C. and was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, not by Bimbisara.
  • (C) Nanda is wrong because the Government of Bihar places the Nanda dynasty after Shishunaga, from 344 B.C. to 321 B.C., and names Mahapadmananda as its founder.

Concept

This tests the early Magadhan dynasties within Ancient Indian History, especially the sequence from pre-Mauryan Magadha to later imperial formations. RAS repeats this area because dynasty-founder-capital links are basic anchors for questions on state formation in north India.

Source

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