Identify the correct pair of Mahajanapadas.

(A) Vajji, Magadha, Avanti, Banawali
(B) Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala
(C) Gandhara, Afgan, Magadha, Koshala
(D) Matsya, Chola, Chera, Pandya
(E) Vatsa, Chedi, Gandhara, Avanti

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(B), (E) Only

The correct answer is Option (1) → (B), (E) Only

(B) Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala

(E) Vatsa, Chedi, Gandhara, Avanti

The 16 Mahajanapads in ancient India:
Kasi
Kosala
Anga
Magadha
Vajji
Malla
Chedi/Cheti
Vatsa
Kuru
Panchala
Matsya
Surasena/Shurasena
Assaka
Avanti
Gandhara
Kamboja

The sixth century BCE marks a significant turning point in early Indian history, characterized by the emergence of early states, urban centers, the increasing use of iron, and the introduction of coinage. This period also witnessed the growth of diverse philosophical systems, including Buddhism and Jainism. Early Buddhist and Jaina texts mention sixteen states known as mahajanapadas, with names like Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, and Avanti being frequently mentioned as among the most important mahajanapadas.

The governance of these mahajanapadas varied; while most were ruled by kings, some, known as ganas or sanghas, functioned as oligarchies, with power shared by multiple men, collectively referred to as rajas. Notably, both Mahavira and the Buddha belonged to such ganas. In some cases, like the Vajji sangha, resources such as land were possibly controlled collectively by the rajas. Although the histories of these states are challenging to reconstruct due to limited historical sources, some of them endured for nearly a millennium.