Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
In which of the following texts the list of the sixteen great states (Shodasha Mahajanapadas) of ancient India occur? 1. Arthashastra 2. Anguttara Nikaya 3. Digha Nikaya 4. Bhagavati Sutra
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
The 6th century BCE marked the 'second urbanization' in India, characterized by the emergence of 16 powerful territorial states known as Mahajanapadas.Explanation
Two primary ancient sources provide a list of 16 states:
1. Anguttara Nikaya (Buddhist Sutta Pitaka)
2. Bhagavati Sutra (Jain Viyaha-pannatti)Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option 2 and 4 are correct. While the lists in these two texts differ slightly in names, both agree on the number 16.
Logic 2: The Arthashastra (Option 1) is an administrative manual and doesn't provide this list. The Digha Nikaya (Option 3) mentions only 12.