Question

Which of the following was not the capital of the Magadha empire?
A. Girivraja
B. Rajgriha
C. Patliputra
D. Kosambi

Answer 1

Hint: Magadha was one of India's sixteen Mahajanapadas, or "Great Kingdoms," and was located in southern Bihar. Magadha was the birthplace of two of India's most dominant empires, as well as a significant centre for the development of Jainism and Buddhism.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options
A. Girivraja: It is also known as Rajgir. It is an ancient city and a municipal council in the Indian state of Bihar's Nalanda district. Giriraja served as the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, which would later become the Mauryan Empire. Through its king Jarasandha, the city is mentioned in India's greatest literary epic, the Mahabharata. The city is home to the 2,500-year-old Cyclopean Wall. This is also a significant field of Jainism and Buddhism.

B. Rajgriha: it's a modern name of Girivraja city which was the first capital of Magadha.

C. Patlipurtra: modernly known as Patna was the capital of the Magadha Empire. Pataliputra was a hub for education and the fine arts. Many astronomers and scholars lived there, including Aryabhata, Vatsyayana, and Chanakya. The king of Magadha founded Patna in 490 BCE.

D. Kosambi: was an important city of ancient India. One of the sixteen mahajanapadas, it was the capital of the Vatsa kingdom. It was about 56 kilometres southwest of the Yamuna River's confluence with the Ganges at Prayaga (modern Prayagraj). Thus from the above discussions, the correct answer is option D. Kosambi is not the capital of the Magadha empire.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note:
- The Mauryan Empire and the Gupta Empire were both established in Magadha.
- From 684 B.C. to 320 B.C., India was dominated by the Magadha Empire and nearby the end of the 12th century Muslim conquered Magadha.
- The Magadha people are first mentioned in the Atharvaveda, where they are identified alongside the Angas, Gandharis, and Mujavats.