Q. Which of the following statements regarding the geographical and strategic advantages of Magadha are correct?
1.Rajgir was protected as a natural land fortress by five surrounding hills.
2.Pataliputra functioned as a true water-fortress, guarded by the confluence of the Ganga, Son, Gandak, and Ghaghara rivers.
3.Magadha lacked direct access to major riverine trade routes, forcing its economy to rely on overland pastoral transport.
4.Presence of dense eastern forests provided Magadha with an abundant supply of wild elephants for heavy military deployment.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The old capital Rajagriha (Rajgir) was surrounded by five hills (Giri-vraja), making it naturally fortified against physical invasions.
- Statement 2 is correct: Pataliputra was surrounded on multiple sides by rivers (Ganga, Son, Gandak, Ghaghara), earning it the classification of a Jaldurga (water-fortress).
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Magadha controlled the main trade highways (Uttarapatha) and river routes along the Ganga, enabling trade control between Eastern and Western India.
- Statement 4 is correct: Eastern forests supplied Magadha with wild war-elephants, giving its army a unique offensive capability against enemy fortifications.
