Chandragupta Maurya was born in ancient Pataliputra, which in the present day lies in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Chandragupta Maurya is an important figure in ancient Indian history, known as the founder of the Maurya Empire. Many exam questions link historical places with their modern equivalents. Pataliputra, mentioned frequently in ancient texts, corresponds to a present day city in a specific Indian state. This question checks whether you know where Pataliputra is located on the current political map of India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Chandragupta Maurya is said to have been born in Pataliputra. • Pataliputra was a major capital city in ancient India. • We must identify the modern state that contains this ancient city location.

Concept / Approach:
The ancient city of Pataliputra corresponds to modern Patna, which is the capital of the state of Bihar. In many historical references, Pataliputra is situated on the banks of the Ganga in the region now known as Bihar. Since Patna is clearly in Bihar, the present day state that contains Pataliputra is Bihar. Recognising this direct mapping is the core of the solution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Pataliputra was the capital of the Maurya and Gupta empires and lay on the banks of the Ganga. Step 2: Remember that modern Patna occupies the site of ancient Pataliputra. Step 3: Note that Patna is the present day capital city of Bihar. Step 4: Check the options: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Step 5: Since Patna, and thus Pataliputra, lies in Bihar, select Bihar as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard history textbook or atlas that shows ancient and modern names side by side identifies Pataliputra with Patna in Bihar. Patna location on the Ganga fits descriptions of Pataliputra from historical sources. No reputable reference places Pataliputra in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand, which confirms that Bihar is the correct state in modern terms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Uttar Pradesh: Contains important ancient cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj, but Pataliputra corresponded to Patna in Bihar, not to any city in Uttar Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh: A central Indian state unrelated to the Ganga river capital of Pataliputra. Chhattisgarh: Located further south and east, it does not encompass Patna or the traditional site of Pataliputra. Jharkhand: Carved out of Bihar in 2000, but the city of Patna remained in Bihar, not in Jharkhand.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse Pataliputra with other ancient cities or assume that any old capital near the Ganga could be in Uttar Pradesh. Another source of confusion is the creation of Jharkhand from Bihar, which can lead to uncertainty about which state contains the old capitals. To avoid these mistakes, it is helpful to memorise a short list of ancient to modern city mappings, with Pataliputra mapped to Patna in Bihar.

Final Answer:
Pataliputra, the birthplace of Chandragupta Maurya, is in present day Bihar.