Which of the following statements regarding Malla and Kuru Mahajanapadas are correct? 1. Malla was an oligarchic Gana-Sangha divided into two administrative units centered at Kusinara and Pava. 2. Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kusinara, situated along the Rapti River basin. 3. Kuru was a major monarchical state situated in the lower delta region of the Mahanadi River. 4. Indraprastha and Hastinapura served as primary urban centers and political seats of the Kuru kingdom. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 3 only

[B] 2 and 4 only

[C] 1, 2 and 4 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: C

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Malla operated as a republican confederacy (Gana-Sangha) with two primary capitals: Kusinara and Pava.
Statement 2 is correct: Gautama Buddha passed away (Mahaparinirvana) at Kusinara in the Malla territory.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Kuru was located in northern India (covering modern Delhi, Haryana, and Western UP) along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Statement 4 is correct: Indraprastha (modern Delhi region) and Hastinapura (near Meerut) were the historic capitals of the Kuru state.