Which of the following statements with regard to the origin of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas is/are correct? 1. Janapada literally signifies the foothold of a tribe, marking the transition from clan-based identity to territorial statehood. 2. All Mahajanapadas operated under strict hereditary monarchical rule. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Janapada derives from Jana (people/tribe) and Pada (foot/settlement), denoting the permanent territory where a clan settled down to practice agriculture.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Not all Mahajanapadas were monarchies. Several prominent Mahajanapadas, such as the Vajji confederacy (Lichchhavis) and Malla, functioned as oligarchic republics (Gana-Sanghas).