AM ONLYIAS - Sheet2 Flashcards
1,”Consider the following pairs: (2021) Historical place Well - known for 1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines 2. Chandra - ketugarh : Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?”,”(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3”,2021
1,d,”Sub-Theme: Significant features of historical places; Pair 1 is incorrect: Burzahom had a well-developed bone tool industry. Other finds at Burzahom include pits and coarse pottery. Rock-cut shrines were not a feature of the Burzahom site. Pair 2 is correct: Chandraketugarh is located in the Ganges delta in West Bengal. It was famous for terracotta art. It is connected to Ganga by the Vidyadhari river which makes it ideal for a flourishing trade centre. Pair 3 is correct: Ganeshwar is located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan. Hundreds of copper artefacts have been found at this site which suggests it must have been a copper working centre.”
2,”In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: (2016) Term Description 1. Eripatti : Land revenue which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is correctly matched?”,”(a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3”,2016
2,d,”Sub-Theme: Terminologies based on ancient India; The Correct answer is Option (d): Eripatti was a special kind of land donated by individuals, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of tanks in the village. Generous donations were given to places of study like Ghatikas and Mathas. During the Chola administration, occasionally a very large village would be administered as a single unit and this was called Taniyur.”
3,”With reference to the scientific progress of Ancient India, Which of the statements given below are correct? (2012) 1. Different kinds of specialised surgical instruments were in common use by the 1st century AD 2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body began in the 3rd century AD 3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in the 5th century AD. 4. The concept of cyclic quadrilateral was known in the 7th century AD. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:”,”(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4”,2012
3,c,”Sub-Theme: Technological development during ancient times; Statement 1 is correct. Sushruta has been documented as the first surgeon. He used S-type and U-type instruments and has also documented Plastic surgery. Statement 2 is incorrect. There has been no documented proof of organ transplants in the 3rd century AD. Statement 3 is correct. Aryabhatta has given sine angles and reversed sine angles in his book Surya Siddhanta. Statement 4 is correct. Brahmgupta was known to give the formula for the area of a cyclic quadrilateral.”
4,”With reference to the Guilds (Shrenis) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are true? (2012) 1. Every Guild was registered with the central authority of the state and the King was the chief administrative authority on them 2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the Guild 3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:”,”(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3”,2012
4,c,”Sub-Theme: Administrative structure during ancient times; Statement 1 is incorrect. Guilds were professional bodies of jewellers, weavers, and ivory carvers who came together to control quality production, create sound business ethics, and maintain fair wages and prices. Each Guild has its own chief, assisted by others. Statement 2 is correct. The Ramayana and many plays from the Gupta period and Tamil Sangam literature write in detail about the trade guilds or shrenis. Statement 3 is correct. Guild members were entitled to impeach and punish a chief found guilty of misconduct.”
5,”Which one of the following ancient towns is wellknown for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? (2021)”,”(a) Dholavira (b) Kalibangan (c) Rakhigarhi (d) Ropar”,2021
5,a,”Sub-Theme: Location of historical place and its significant/unique feature; Option (a) is correct: Dholavira was discovered in 1968 by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi, one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia. After Mohenjo-Daro, Ganweriwala and Harappa in Pakistan and Rakhigarhi in Haryana of India, Dholavira is the fifth largest metropolis of Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). The City of Dholavira had an impressive and unique system of water harvesting and management systems. The Rann’s water levels may have been greater in protohistoric times than they are now, enabling boats to travel from the shore all the way up to the site. Manhar and Mandsar, two streams, border the Dholavira site. To direct their water into reservoirs, dams had to be constructed.”
6,”Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (2019)”,”(a) Chanhudaro (b) Kot Diji (c) Sohgaura (d) Desalpur”,2019
6,c,”Sub-Theme: Location of Harappan site; Option (c) is correct: Sohgaura is located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Here Ashokan inscriptions were found. The Sohgaura copper plate inscription is an Indian copper plate inscription written in Prakrit in the Brahmi script. It was found at Sohgaura, about 20 kilometres to the southeast of Gorakhpur, on the banks of the Rapti River. Option (a), (b), (d) are incorrect: Kot Diji, Desalpur and Chanhudaro are Harappan sites. Kotdiji means “Fort of the Daughter’’ and is located in Khairpur province, Pakistan. Here copper-bronze objects, bangles and arrowheads; etched carnelian and other beads and numerous terracotta human, bull, and bird effigy figurines were found. At Desalpur houses built next to walls have been found. Chanhudaro is located on the bank of the Indus River in Sindh, Pakistan. Bead makers’ shops have been found here. NOTE: Reference to question came from the news of Sohgaura copper plate inscription found in 2018-19.”
7,”Which of the following characterises/characterises the people of the Indus Civilization? (2013) 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below”,”(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None of the statements given above is correct”,2013
7,b,”Sub-Theme: Aspect of Religious life of Harappan civilizations; Harappan civilization: The Harappan Civilization arose in the North -western part of the Indian subcontinent. It is called Harappan because this civilization was discovered first in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa situated in the province of West Punjab in Pakistan. The Harappan culture covered parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the fringes of western Uttar Pradesh. It is older than the chalcolithic cultures which have been treated earlier, but it is far more developed than these cultures. Statement 1 is incorrect: No building has been discovered in the Indus valley which can resemble a temple. Although “Great Bath” may have been used for ritual purposes by the Indus valley people. Statement 2 is correct: Figurines resembling female deities and male gods have been found in the Indus Valley. Statement 3 is incorrect: No trace of Horses has been found in the Indus valley.”
8,”Regarding the Indus valley civilization, consider the following statements: (2011) 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?”,”(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 and 2”,2011
8,c,”Sub-Theme: Religious aspect of Harappan civilization and significant features; Statement 1 is correct: Indus Valley people used to worship trees and animals. No traces of the practice of religion have been found at any site. The understanding of the religious rituals and beliefs of the Harappans is entirely based on the terracotta figurines and seals that have survived. The Harappan religion is normally termed as “animism” i.e., worship of trees, stones etc. A large number of terracotta figurines discovered at the Harappan sites have been associated with the worship of the mother goddess. Evidence of fire worship has also been found at some sites such as Kalibangan and Lothal. The burial practices and rituals have been a very important aspect of religion in any culture. Kalibangan has yielded evidence of a symbolic burial. Despite having the engineering know-how, the Indus Valley civilization did not build any grand palaces. Religious rituals were mostly performed in private houses, little temples, or outside. Statement 2 is correct: In 1929 cotton textile fragments were found from Mohenjo-Jo-Daro. Also, cotton seeds found nearby Mehrgarh dated to 5000 BCE.”
9,”With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017) 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of the Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. Ancient and Medieval History 19 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:”,”(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3”,2017
9,c,”Sub-Theme: Significant features and lifestyle aspect of Aryans viz-a-viz Indus Valley Civilization; Statement 1 is correct: For offensive weapons, the Vedic-Aryans have the bow and arrow, spear, dagger, and axe, and for defensive armour the helmet and coat of mail. The Indus people also have the bow and arrow, spear, dagger and axe, but defensive armour is quite unknown to Indus valley people. Statement 2 is incorrect: The metals which the Indo-Aryans used in the time of the Rigveda are gold and copper or bronze; but a little later, these metals are supplemented by silver and iron. Among the Indus people, silver is more common than gold, and utensils and vessels are sometimes made of stone – a relic of the Neolithic Age – as well as of copper and bronze. Statement 3 is correct: The horse seems to have been unknown to the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Jo-Daro and Harappa. But Many references have been made regarding the Surkotada site containing horse remains dated to 2000 BCE, which is considered a significant observation with respect to Indus Valley Civilisation. After evaluating the Surkotada bone fragments, Sándor Bökönyi (1997) concluded that at least six of the samples most likely belonged to the real horse. However, this is not definitive proof, and it does not imply that people in the Indus Valley knew about horses. NOTE: Likewise in the above question (i.e. of 2017), In 2013, UPSC asked a question on Harappan Civilization in which “Horse” was the central theme in question.”
10,”The Religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of: (2012)”,”(a) Bhakti (b) Image worship and yajnas (c) Worship of nature and yajnas (d) Worship of nature and bhakti”,2012
10,c,”Sub-Theme: Religious aspects of early Vedic Aryans; The correct answer is Option (c): Vedic Aryans used to worship manifestations of forces of nature as Gods in the form of Indra, Agni, Soma, Varuna. Mother earth and Rivers, especially Saraswati, were worshipped as the goddess. Yajna was a method of worship that involved offering sacrifices. It included Vedic chants, shamans singing and a sacrificial mantra. The Vedic mantra was chanted while sacrificing havan samagri in the fire during a yajna.”
11,”According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? (2022) 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free. 3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son. Which of the statements given above are correct?”,”(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3”,2022
11,b,”Sub-Theme: Significance of Arthashastra; Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Arthashastra, any person who has voluntarily enslaved himself shall, if he runs away, be a slave for life. Similarly, any person whose life has been mortgaged by others shall, if he runs away twice, be a slave for life. Statement 2 is correct: There was a variety of protection offered to the slaves, especially to the women slaves. As per the Arthashastra, when a child is begotten on a female slave by her master, both the child and its mother shall at once be recognized as free. Statement 3 is correct: According to the Arthshastra, if a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.”
12,”Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? (2020) “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.””,”(a) Ashoka (b) Samudragupta (c) Harshavardhana (d) Krishnadeva Raya”,2020
12,a,”Sub-Theme: Ashoka and his Dhamma; The Correct answer is Option (a): As per the Major rock Edicts 7 and 12, Ashoka insisted that all religions should co-exist and the ascetics of all religions were honoured. About Ashoka’s Dhamma: Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve worship of a god, or performance of a sacrifice. He felt that just as a father tries to teach his children, he had a duty to instruct his subjects. He was also inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. People in the empire followed different religions, and this sometimes led to conflict. Ashoka appointed representatives, referred to as the dhamma mahamatta, who travelled around instructing people about dhamma. Ashoka had his messages inscribed on pillars and rocks, and he ordered his officials to read his messages to people who were unable to do so for themselves. NOTE: This is a direct question from Class 6 NCERT Our Past 1, hence reading NCERT is very important both in terms of clearing concepts and gaining facts.”
13,”In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? (2019)”,”(a) Kanganahalli (b) Sanchi (c) Shahbazgarhi (d) Sohgaura”,2019
13,a,”Sub-Theme: Ashoka and sites (location) of his inscriptions; The correct answer is Option (a): Kanaganahalli is in Gulbarga, Karnataka. In this sculptural depiction, the emperor with his queen and attendants are carved on a slab, with “Ranyo Ashoka” (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka. About Sannati and Kanaganahalli Buddhist Sites: z About 3 kilometres from Sannati lies Kanganahalli, a significant Buddhist site where an old Mahastupa was erected. z It is located in India’s Karnataka on the left bank of the Bhima River in the Chitapur Taluk of the Kalaburagi District. z The remnants of a large stupa, as well as numerous brick buildings in the shape of a Chaitya-griha and memorial stupas, were uncovered during excavations conducted at Kanaganahalli from 1994 to 1998. z During the excavations, numerous architectural components of the stupa were discovered, including four pictures of the Buddha, remains of sculptured veneering slabs, pieces of railings, pillars, and capitals. The sculptured panels show different Játaka, the legend of Lord Buddha’s life and portraits of numerous Satavahana kings.”
14,”Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka? (2016)”,”(a) Georg Buhler (b) James Prinsep (c) Max Muller (d) William Jones”,2016
14,b,”Sub-Theme: Ashoka and his inscriptions; The correct answer is Option (b): James Prinsep deciphered the edicts of Ashoka in 1837. James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi, two scripts used in the earliest inscriptions and coins. The most widely known are the edicts of Ashoka, which have been discovered in many parts of the country. In fact, the reconstruction of the Mauryan period to a great extent became possible only after the Brahmi script of the inscriptions at Sanchi was deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837. James Princep found that most of these mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi – meaning “pleasant to behold”; there were a few inscriptions which also referred to the king as Asoka, one of the most famous rulers known from Buddhist texts.”
15,”With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: (2022) 1. Nettipakarana 2. Parishishta Parvan 3. Avadanasataka 4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana Which of the above are Jaina texts?”,”(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4”,2022
15,b,”Sub-Theme: Jain and Buddhist Literature/Text; z Buddhist Literature/Texts: The earliest Buddhist works were written in Pali, which was spoken in Magadha and South Bihar. The Buddhist works can be divided into the canonical and non-canonical texts. Canonical texts are believed to be the actual words of the Buddha. Canonical texts are books which lay down the basic tenets and principles of Buddhism such as the Tripitakas. Non-canonical texts or semi-canonical texts are commentaries and observations on canonical texts, quotes, definitions, historical information, grammars and other writings in Pali, Tibetian, Chinese and other East Asian languages. z Jain Literature/Text: The sacred books of the Jainas are collectively known as the Siddhanta or Agama. Both the Shvetambara and Digambara schools accept and give prime importance to the Angas. Agamas is a term used for Jaina canonical literature. It includes: 14 Purvas; 12 Angas; 12 Upangas; 10 Prakirnas; 6 Cheda Sutras; 4 Mala Sutras; Niryuktis; Kalpasutra; Acharang Sutras; Nandi Sutra; Anuyogadvara. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Netti Pakarana is a Buddhist scripture containing methods that were taught by the Buddha’s disciple Kaccana as approved by the Buddha and that it was recited at the First Buddhist Council. Statement 2 is correct: The Parishishta Parvan (12th century) by Hemachandra gives a history of the earliest Jaina teachers and also mentions certain details of political history. Statement 3 is incorrect: Avadana literature (Avadana means ‘Legends’) is a type of Buddhist literature correlating past lives’ virtuous deeds to subsequent lives’ events. Statement 4 is correct: Trishashthilkshana Mahapurana is a major Jain text composed largely by Acharya Jinasena during the rule of Rashtrakutas”
