RAS question
Which of the following was the capital of the Mahajanapada of Magadha?
Correct answer: (C) Rajagriha.
Rajagriha, identified with modern Rajgir in Bihar, was the capital of the Mahajanapada of Magadha.
Explanation
Rajagriha was Magadha's capital in the early historic setting. The Bihar Tourism page places the Cyclopean Wall at Rajgir and describes Rajgriha as the ancient capital of Magadha. Rajagriha is identified with modern Rajgir in Bihar. Magadha was not just another Mahajanapada: it became the most powerful one, helped by its strategic location, fertile soil, iron deposits and strong rulers. The capital later shifted to Pataliputra under the Nandas and Mauryas, but that later development does not change Rajagriha's role as Magadha's Mahajanapada-stage capital.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa, so it belongs to a different Mahajanapada, not Magadha.
- (B) Ujjain was the capital of Avanti, which makes it a plausible ancient-city distractor but not Magadha's capital.
- (D) Vaishali was associated with Vajji/Licchavi, so it points to another polity rather than Magadha.
Concept
The Mahajanapadas and their capitals are a recurring RAS ancient-history theme because capitals help link political geography with the rise of early states. Magadha recurs especially often because its growth leads into the Nanda and Maurya phase.