Which of the following statements with regard to Gandhara and Avanti is/are correct? 1. Taxila, the capital of Gandhara developed into an international center for higher learning and trade along the Uttarapatha. 2. Avanti was divided into Northern Avanti and Southern Avanti, ruled by King Pradyota who engaged in conflict with Magadha. 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: C

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Taxila was a world-renowned seat of education (where scholars like Chanakya and Panini taught) and a crucial trading node linking North-West India to Central Asia.
Statement 2 is correct: Avanti (in Malwa, MP) had twin capitals at Ujjain and Mahishmati. King Chanda Pradyota was a powerful contemporary of Bimbisara and Buddha, making Avanti a major political rival to Magadha.