Northern India, before the rise of Mauryas, was divided in:

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (D) Sixteen Mahajanpadas and Republics
Explanation:
→ Before the rise of the Mauryan Empire (c. 322 BCE), Northern India was politically fragmented into sixteen major kingdoms known as Mahajanapadas. These Mahajanapadas were territorial states with their own rulers, armies, and administrative systems.
→ The sixteen Mahajanapadas, as mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts, included Anga, Magadha, Vatsa, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Kuru, Panchala, among others. These states varied in size and governance; some were monarchies, while others, like Vajji and Malla, were republics with collective leadership.
→ This political division created a landscape of frequent conflicts, alliances, and shifting boundaries, setting the stage for the rise of a centralized power like the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya.
→ The Mahajanapadas were also significant cultural and economic centers, fostering urbanization, trade, and the spread of religious movements like Buddhism and Jainism.
→ Therefore, Northern India before the Mauryas was divided into sixteen Mahajanapadas and republics, making option (D) correct.
Information Booster:
→ The Mahajanapadas existed during the 6th–4th centuries BCE.
→ They included both monarchies and republics, showcasing political diversity.
→ Major Mahajanapadas: Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa, Vajji, Malla, Kuru, Panchala, Anga, Avanti, Gandhara, Kamboja, Assaka, Matsya, Surasena, Chedi, Vengi.
→ The republics were governed by assemblies of elders or representatives, unlike monarchic states.
→ These states were centers of trade, agriculture, and cultural activities.
→ Magadha eventually became the most powerful Mahajanapada, leading to the establishment of the Mauryan Empire.
→ The political fragmentation facilitated frequent warfare, alliances, and territorial expansion among neighboring states.
Additional Information (Other Options):
Option (A) Ten Monarch States – Northern India had sixteen states, not ten.
Option (B) Two States – Northern India was highly fragmented, not limited to two.
Option (C) Monarch States – Not all states were monarchies; some were republics.