Question

The largest urban centre in ancient India had been _________.
A. Patliputra
B. Kausambi
C. Taxila
D. Kannauj

Answer 1

Hint: The largest urban centre was the capital of several empires such as the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, etc. Two early Buddhist councils are being held here.

Complete answer: Close to modern-day Patna, Patliputra was one of the most famous and significant cities in ancient India. Udayin, the Magadha ruler, built the city in 490 CE. Near the Ganga river, it was built as a small fort also known as Pataligrama.
The Shishunaga Empire, the Nanda Empire, the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Pala Empire made Pataliputra the capital of their respective Empires.
Pataliputra became one of the largest cities in the world during the Mauryan Empire (c. 320-180 BCE). Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador and historian, wrote in his account that Patliputra was one of the first cities to have a highly efficient form of local self-government during the Mauryan Empire. Hence, the largest urban centre in ancient India had been Patliputra.
While talking about the other options,
B. The capital of the Vasta or Vasma kingdom, Kausambi, was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. The term Mahajanapada is a combination of two words, maha means great and Janapada means foothold of a people.
C. Taxila or Takshashila, situated in Pakistan, was a major ancient city. During the Achaemenid Empire, the city prospered significantly.
D. Kannauj, a well-known town in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the Hindu Epics. In ancient India, it was a great location for trade.
Thus the correct option is A.

Note: In the 3rd century BCE, during the rule of Emperor Ashoka, the population of the city was between two lakhs to 4 lakhs. The excavations of the 20th century revealed evidence of large fortifications of walls around Patna.