[Solved] Identify the Non-Mahajanapada | Kalinga Analysis

Which one of the following is NOT listed as one of the sixteen mahajanapadas in the pre-Mauryan period?

[CAPF 2020]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The traditional list of 16 states (Solasa Mahajanapada) represents the political geography of North India and parts of the Deccan around 600 BCE.

Authentic Source Evidence

The Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya lists: Anga, Magadha, Kasi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja. Kalinga is not on this canonical list.

Analytical Breakdown

Kalinga (D): Though a powerful state later (Ashoka's time), it wasn't part of the core 16 mentioned in early Buddhist/Jaina literature.

Kuru, Vatsa, Gandhara: All are standard members of the 16 Mahajanapadas.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Which Mahajanapada was located in the southernmost part of the list?"

Assaka (or Ashmaka) was the southernmost Mahajanapada, located on the banks of the Godavari river.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The 'Sixteen Mahajanapadas' is a literary convention that focuses primarily on the Aryan-occupied heartland of Northern India."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Anguttara Nikaya 2 Kalinga 6