Arrange the following mahajanapadas from West to East.
A. Koshala
B. Anga
C. Magadha
D. Matsya
E. Gandhara
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → E, D, A, C, B
These are five of the mahajanapadas, the early states of the sixth century BCE. Their order from west to east is read from the map of the early states and their capitals.
(E) Gandhara — the westernmost, in the far north-west, with Taxila and Pushkalavati.
(D) Matsya — further east, to the south-west of Mathura.
(A) Koshala — further east, in the Ganga valley, with its city Shravasti.
(C) Magadha — east of Koshala, with Rajgir.
(B) Anga — the easternmost, beyond Magadha, with Champa.
Tip: An order of places is never in the text; it sits on the map. Before the exam, run your finger across each chapter map from west to east and from north to south.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 The sixteen mahajanapadas … The sixth century BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian history. It is an era associated with early states, cities, the growing use of iron, the development of coinage, etc. It also witnessed the growth of diverse systems of thought, including Buddhism and Jainism. Early Buddhist and Jaina texts (see also Chapter 4) mention, amongst other things, sixteen states known as mahajanapadas. Although the lists vary, some names such as Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara and Avanti occur frequently. Clearly, these were amongst the most important mahajanapadas.…”
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