Answer: Both (A) and (B) Explanation: The term Janapada signifies ‘the foothold of a tribe’, and the Mahabharata mentions the 16 Mahajanapadas of the Post-Vedic period. Among these 16, Anga and Magadha were located in Bengal and represent the Post-Vedic era in Bengal. Both these kingdoms are mentioned in the Atharvaveda.

Answer: Dasyus Explanation: The people inhabiting the region of Bengal, known as the Pundras, were also referred to as ‘Dasyus’ by others.

Answer: Gauda dynasty Explanation: King Shashanka was a member of the Gauda dynasty.

Answer: Midnapore Explanation: Only three sites of Mesolithic period have been excavated. These are namely Birbhanpur in Burdwan district, Paruldanga in Birbhum district and Chanargora in Midnapore district.

Answer: Champa Explanation: The former name of Champa, the capital of the Anga kingdom, was Malini.

Answer: All of the above Explanation: The contemporary neighbouring states of the ancient Vanga kingdom on the Indian sub-continent included Suhma, Anga, Pundravardhana, Samatata or Harikela.

Answer: All of these Explanation: The earliest tools were made mainly by pebbles of quartz and quartzite. Some importatnt sites of tool-making are Egra Mail (Burdwan), Parihati, Mohanpur, Satbati, Tarapheni resorvoir bridge (all in Midnapore), Nakbindhi, Patina, Jibdharipur (Birbhum), Jagannathpuri, etc.

Answer: Allahabad Prashasti Explanation: The earliest reference to the ancient Samatata kingdom in South-Estern Bengal is found in the Allahabad Prashasti.

Answer: Acharanga Sutra Explanation: The earliest mention of the Suhmas and their land can be found in the Acharanga Sutra of the Jainas, which dates back to the 6th century.

Answer: Kalipada Singh Thakur Explanation: Kalipada Singha Thakur was the last king of Malla dynasty in Bengal. He became the king of Mallabhum in 1930 and ruled till his death in 1983.