by Q. With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
| Territorial Region | River Flowing in the Region |
|---|---|
| Asmaka | Godavari |
| Kamboja | Vipas |
| Avanti | Mahanadi |
| Kosala | Sarayu |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Asmaka – Godavari: Correct. Asmaka was located in the Deccan, near the banks of the Godavari River.
- Kamboja – Vipas: Incorrect. Kamboja was in the northwest frontier region (present-day Afghanistan); Vipas (Beas) is in the Punjab-Himachal area.
- Avanti – Mahanadi: Incorrect. Avanti was in western Madhya Pradesh, and the Mahanadi flows in Chhattisgarh/Odisha, not Avanti.
- Kosala – Sarayu: Correct. Kosala (modern Uttar Pradesh) was located along the Sarayu River.
Hence, only I and IV are correctly matched.
| Asmaka | Godavari | Located in the Deccan; part of Mahajanapadas; known for trade and early urban settlements along Godavari. |
| Kosala | Sarayu | Present-day Uttar Pradesh; capital at Ayodhya; center of Vedic culture and Mahajanapada; associated with Lord Rama. |
| Kamboja | Kabul / nearby tributaries | Northwest frontier (Afghanistan region); warrior clan mentioned in Mahabharata; rivers include Kabul and tributaries. |
| Avanti | Shipra / Chambal | Western Madhya Pradesh; capital at Ujjain; major trade, political, and religious center; associated with Buddhism and Jainism. |
| Magadha | Ganga / Son | Eastern India; capital at Pataliputra; major political power; birthplace of Mauryan Empire; center of Buddhism and Jainism. |
| Vajji / Vriji | Gandak / Koshi | Modern Bihar; republic governed by a confederation; important center during Mahajanapada period; associated with Buddha. |
| Matsya | Chambal / Banas | Modern Rajasthan; known for trade routes and early urban centers; mentioned in Mahabharata. |
| Chedi | Yamuna | Central India; capital at Suktimati; known from Mahabharata references; important Mahajanapada. |
| Vatsa | Ganga / Yamuna confluence | Capital at Kaushambi; trade and political center; important in Buddhist texts. |
| Gandhara | Kabul / Indus tributaries | Northwest India (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan); known for Greco-Buddhist art and as a trade hub. |
| Kuru | Yamuna / Ganga tributaries | Modern Haryana/Delhi region; prominent Mahajanapada; associated with Mahabharata; early Vedic culture. |
