📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.17 | Classroom Explanation

(Ancient History: 600–322 BC)

📌 Question

Q.17) With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests Mahajanapada geography, especially the river–region association, a classic UPSC area requiring map-based elimination.

🔍 Key Concept: Mahajanapadas and River Geography

• Between 600–322 BC, India witnessed the rise of 16 Mahajanapadas
• Rivers played a crucial role in:

• Settlement patterns
• Agriculture
• Trade and political power

UPSC often frames mismatched river–region pairs to test spatial clarity.

🔍 Pair-wise Analysis

✅ Pair I: Asmaka – Godavari (Correct)

• Asmaka (Assaka) was the only Mahajanapada located south of the Vindhyas
• Situated on the banks of the Godavari River
• Capital often identified as Potana / Pratisthana

➡️ Pair I is correctly matched.

❌ Pair II: Kamboja – Vipas (Incorrect)

• Kamboja was located in the north-western frontier region
• Associated more with Indus system and trans-Hindukush routes

• Vipas (Beas) flows through:

• Punjab region
• Associated with Gandhara, not core Kamboja territory

➡️ Pair II is not correctly matched.

❌ Pair III: Avanti – Mahanadi (Incorrect)

• Avanti was located in Malwa region
• Capital: Ujjain
• Major rivers associated:

• Shipra
• Narmada basin influence

• Mahanadi flows through:

• Chhattisgarh
• Odisha

➡️ Pair III is not correctly matched.

✅ Pair IV: Kosala – Sarayu (Correct)

• Kosala lay in the Awadh region
• Capital cities:

• Ayodhya
• Sravasti

• River Sarayu flows through Ayodhya and Kosala region

➡️ Pair IV is correctly matched.

🧮 Logical Counting (UPSC Style)

• Correct pairs: I and IV
• Incorrect pairs: II and III

➡️ Total correct = 2

➡️ Correct option: (b) Only two

🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Asmaka:

• Southernmost Mahajanapada
• Important bridge between Deccan and northern India

• Kosala:

• Closely associated with Ramayana tradition
• Politically powerful during early historic period

• Avanti:

• One of the most urbanised Mahajanapadas
• Ujjain later became a major astronomical centre

• UPSC Trap Tip:

• Punjab rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) are often wrongly paired with non-Punjab Mahajanapadas

📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I
Subject: Ancient History
Theme: Mahajanapadas — Political Geography
Nature: Map-based + Conceptual