2.2 pakistan culture

Question 1

Q1: Where was the original location of the Gandhara Civilization?

Answer 1

A1: Gandhara included the Peshawar valley, Swat, Buner, Bajaur, and hills of Swat Valley situated in the north of today’s Pakistan.

Question 2

Q3: What were the well-known cities of the Gandhara Civilization?

Answer 2

A3: The well-known cities included:

Takshasila (Taxila)
Purushapura (Peshawar)
Pushkalavati (Mardan)

Question 3

Q2: What was the time period of the Gandhara Civilization?

Answer 3

A2: It emerged in 500 BCE and continued until 1050 CE with the Muslim conquests of these regions.

Question 4

Q5: What were the main architectural features of Buddhist stupas?

Answer 4

A5: Stupas were:

Stone and sand-made structures
Had a cylinder-like base (drum)
Featured a hemispheric dome
Contained a post with canopies
Surrounded by a circular path for circumambulation

Question 4

Q4: How did Gandhara art develop and what materials were used?

Answer 4

A4: Gandhara art was an amalgam of Indian and Greco-Roman art. They initially used green phyllite and gray-blue mica for sculptures, later using stucco (cement-based plaster) and painting them with gold.

Question 5

Q6: What was significant about the monastery at Takht-e-Bahi?

Answer 5

A6: It was the world’s largest Buddhist monastery, featuring:

Assembly halls
Dining areas
Courtyard
Double-storied Buddhist living quarters
Temple with stupas
Tantric complex with meditation cells

Question 6

Q7: What building materials were commonly used in Gandhara architecture?

Answer 6

A7: Two important stones were used:

Kanjur (a fossil rock easily molded)
Schist
Plaster for joining stones

Question 7

Q8: When did Gandhara art style reach its peak?

Answer 7

A8: The Gandharan style flourished and achieved its peak during the Kushan period, from the 1st to the 5th century.

Question 8

Q9: What caused the decline of Gandhara Civilization?

Answer 8

A9: It declined and suffered destruction after the invasion of the White Huns in the 5th century.

Question 9

Q10: What was the dominant religion of the Gandhara Civilization?

Answer 9

A10: Buddhism was the dominant religion throughout the civilization’s existence.

Question 10

Q11: Where did the Gandhara Civilization spread beyond its original location?

Answer 10

A11: It spread to:

Eastern parts of Afghanistan including Kabul Valley
Potwar plateau in Punjab
Sindh

Question 11

Q12: Why is Gandhara Civilization considered significant for human development?

Answer 11

A12: It’s considered a symbol of human development in:

Human knowledge
Religion
Art
History
Learning (especially in Taxila, which was a center of learning in art, architecture, medicine, and religion)

Question 12

When was Takht-i-Bahi built?
a) 3rd century BC
b) 1st century BC
c) 2nd century AD
d) 5th century AD

Answer 12

Answer: b) 1st century BC

Question 13

What does “Takht-i-Bahi” mean in Persian?
a) Holy Mountain
b) Buddhist Temple
c) Throne of Springs
d) Sacred Place

Answer 13

Answer: c) Throne of Springs

Question 14

Where is Takht-i-Bahi located?
a) Peshawar
b) Mardan
c) Lahore
d) Taxila

Answer 14

Answer: b) Mardan

Question 15

Which ruler is mentioned in one of the earliest inscriptions at Takht-i-Bahi?
a) Ashoka
b) Kanishka
c) Gondophares
d) Harsha

Answer 15

Answer: c) Gondophares

Question 16

When did Takht-i-Bahi begin to decline?
a) 5th century
b) 6th century
c) 7th century
d) 8th century

Answer 16

Answer: c) 7th century

Question 17

In which year was Takht-i-Bahi declared a UNESCO World Heritage site?
a) 1970
b) 1975
c) 1980
d) 1985

Answer 17

Answer: c) 1980

Question 18

What helped Takht-i-Bahi survive the Hun invasions?
a) Its fortified walls
b) Its inaccessible location
c) Its military strength
d) Its hidden chambers

Answer 18

Answer: b) Its inaccessible location

Question 19

When did formal excavations begin at Takht-i-Bahi?
a) 1907
b) 1917
c) 1927
d) 1937

Answer 19

Answer: a) 1907

Question 20

Which architectural features are NOT part of Takht-i-Bahi?
a) Main stupa court
b) Meditation cells
c) Underground temples
d) Conference hall

Answer 20

Answer: c) Underground temples

Question 21

What school of art is represented at Takht-i-Bahi?
a) Mathura School
b) Gandhara School
c) Amaravati School
d) Gupta School

Answer 21

Answer: b) Gandhara School

Question 22

How far is Takht-i-Bahi from Peshawar?
a) 80 kilometers
b) 100 kilometers
c) 120 kilometers
d) 140 kilometers

Answer 22

Answer: c) 120 kilometers

Question 23

Which nearby town supported the monastery with offerings and food?
a) Mardan
b) Sahr-i-Bahlol
c) Peshawar
d) Taxila

Answer 23

Answer: b) Sahr-i-Bahlol

Question 24

When did the Indo-Aryan tribes migrate to the Indian subcontinent? a) 1000-500 BCE b) 2500-2000 BCE c) 1800-1000 BCE d) 3000-2500 BCE

Answer 24

Answer: c) 1800-1000 BCE

Question 24

Which of these was NOT a suggested origin place of Indo-Aryans? a) Central Asia b) Regions around Russia c) Near the Arctic region d) Mediterranean region

Answer 24

Answer: d) Mediterranean region

Question 24

What was the oldest Hindu scripture in Vedic Sanskrit? a) Sama Veda b) Yajur Veda c) Rig Veda d) Atharva Veda

Answer 24

Answer: c) Rig Veda

Question 25

What were the reasons for Indo-Aryan migration according to scriptures? a) Military conquest only b) Religious persecution, climatic and environmental changes c) Trade opportunities d) Population pressure

Answer 25

Answer: b) Religious persecution, climatic and environmental changes

Question 26

Which civilization declined after the arrival of Indo-Aryans? a) Mesopotamian Civilization b) Egyptian Civilization c) Harappan Civilization d) Persian Civilization

Answer 26

Answer: c) Harappan Civilization

Question 27

What was the social system introduced by the Aryans? a) Monarchy system b) Republican system c) Varna system d) Feudal system

Answer 27

Answer: c) Varna system

Question 28

Which language did the Indo-Aryans introduce that became the classical language of the region? a) Prakrit b) Pali c) Sanskrit d) Persian

Answer 28

Answer: c) Sanskrit

Question 29

Which class was NOT part of the four main classes established by Aryans? a) Brahmins b) Kshatriyas c) Merchants d) Vaishyas

Answer 29

Answer: c) Merchants

Question 30

What was the primary economic activity adopted by Indo-Aryans over time? a) Trading b) Agriculture c) Pottery d) Carpentry

Answer 30

Answer: b) Agriculture

Question 31

Which region did the Indo-Aryans primarily settle in? a) Southern India b) Northwestern Indian subcontinent c) Eastern India d) Central India

Answer 31

Answer: b) Northwestern Indian subcontinent

Question 32

What was NOT a factor in Indo-Aryans’ settlement in India? a) Easy cooperation with Indians b) Well-maintained administration c) Less-oppressive attitude d) Advanced technology

Answer 32

Answer: d) Advanced technology

Question 33

Which transportation methods were used by Indo-Aryans? a) Rivers and chariots b) Horses only c) Camels only d) Wheeled carts only

Answer 33

Answer: a) Rivers and chariots

Question 34

What was the primary religious text that covered changes in ancient India during the Vedic period? a) Upanishads b) Puranas c) Rig Veda d) Bhagavad Gita

Answer 34

Answer: c) Rig Veda

Question 35

What was the initial lifestyle of Indo-Aryans before settling in India? a) Agricultural b) Semi-nomadic c) Urban d) Maritime

Answer 35

Answer: b) Semi-nomadic

Question 36

Which region marked the beginning of the Vedic Period? a) Southern plains b) Western coast c) Indo-Gangetic plains d) Eastern plateau

Answer 36

Answer: c) Indo-Gangetic plains