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

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?  

• Only one  
• Only two  
• Only three  
• All the four  

Answer: (b) Only two  

During the period 600–322 BCE, northern and central India witnessed the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas (large territorial states). These kingdoms were generally associated with specific geographical regions and river systems, which influenced settlement patterns, agriculture and trade.

Pair 1: Asmaka – Godavari 

Asmaka (Assaka) was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas and the only Mahajanapada located in the Deccan region.

• It was situated on the banks of the Godavari River in present-day Maharashtra–Telangana region.
• The capital of the kingdom is believed to have been Potali (or Paudanya).

Pair 2: Kamboja – Vipasa

Kamboja was a Mahajanapada located in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent, covering areas of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of Kashmir.

• The Vipasa River (modern Beas) flows through the Punjab region.
• The core area of Kamboja lay further northwest, beyond the Beas river basin.

Pair 3: Avanti – Mahanadi

Avanti was an important Mahajanapada located in the Malwa region of present-day Madhya Pradesh.

• It had two main centres: Ujjain (Ujjayini) and Mahishmati.
• The region is associated mainly with rivers such as the Shipra and Narmada.

The Mahanadi River, however, flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha, far to the east of Avanti’s territory.

Pair 4: Kosala – Sarayu 

Kosala was a powerful Mahajanapada located in the Awadh region of present-day Uttar Pradesh.

• Its important cities included Ayodhya and Shravasti.
• The Sarayu River (a tributary of the Ghaghara) flows through this region and is closely associated with Ayodhya.