ANCIENT QUESTIONS 1979-2023 - Sheet3 Flashcards
88,”In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak (a) Sanskrit (b) Prakrit (c) Pali (d) Sauraseni”
88,B,”The plays produced in India during the Gupta period have two common features. First, they are all comedies; no tragedies are found. Secondly, characters of the higher and lower classes do not speak the same language; women and shudras featuring in these plays use Prakrit whereas the higher classes use Sanskrit.”
89,”Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the list List - I ( Eras ) List - II ( Reckoned from)
A. Vikrama era: 1. 3102 BC
B. Saka era : 2. 320 A. D.
C. Gupta era: 3. 78 A. D.
D. Kali era : 4. 58 B.C. Codes : A B C D”,(a) 2 4 5 1 ,(b) 1 3 2 4 ,(c) 4 5 2 3 ,(d) 4 3 2 1
89,D,”Self Explanatory.”
90,”The Term Yavanapriya mentioned in ancient Sanskrit text denoted (a) A fine variety of Indian Muslim (b) Ivory (c) Damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance (d) Pepper”
90,D,”In ancient times, the people in Central Asia were called Yavanas in India. They liked pepper and imported large amounts of pepper from India. That’s why the pepper is named as Yavana—the people of foreign countries. Priya—they liked pepper, so it was called Yavanapriya.”
91,”The name by which Asoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is (a) Chakravarti (b) Dharmadeva (c) Dharmakirti (d) Priyadarsi”
91,D,”In 1837, James Prinsep deciphered an inscription written in Brahmi script referring to “Devanampriya Piyadassi” (beloved of the gods). However, in 1915, another inscription, the Maski Edict, was discovered, which speaks of Asoka Piyadassi. This, corroborated by the Ceylonese Chronicle Mahavamsa, established that Asoka used “Piyadassi” as his second name in the inscriptions.”
92,”According to Mimamsa system of philosophy liberation is possible by means of (a) Jnana (b) Bhakti (c) Yoga (d) Karma”
92,D,”Mimansa means investigation or enquiry. The primary enquiry is into the nature of dharma based on close theology of the Vedas. Dharma is essentially ritualism, and there is a great significance of Karma or action in attaining Dharma.”
93,”The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by (a) Mahayana Buddhism (b) Hinayana Buddhism (c) Jainism (d) The Lokayata School”
93,C,”The five cardinal principles of Jainism are—no violence (ahimsa), no lies (satya), no stealing (asteya), no property (aparigraha), and observing continence (brahmacharya). Only the last principle was added by Mahavira, the other four being the teachings of his predecessors.”
94,”Which one of the following is the most fundamental difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism? (a) Emphasis on ahimsa (b) Casteless society (c) Worship and gods and goddesses (d) Worship Of Stupa”
94,C,”Mahayana or ‘great vehicle’ believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and idol worship of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature. The other names of Hinayana are: Deficient Vehicle, Abandoned Vehicle, or Defective Vehicle. It believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of Elders. Does not believe in idol worship and tries to attain individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.”
95,”The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the (a) Harappan Culture (b) Chalcolithic cultures of Western India (c) Vedic texts (d) Silver punch-marked coins”
95,A,”Silver makes its earliest appearance in the Indus civilization. Minerals, unavailable from the alluvial plain, were sometimes brought in from far afield.”
96,”In ancient Indian historical geography, the name “Ratnakara” denoted (a) The Arabian Sea (b) The Bay of Bengal (c) The Indian Ocean (d) The confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati at Prayaga”
96,C,”Ancient Sanskrit literature refers to the Indian Ocean as Ratnakara, which means the creator of jewels. Since ancient times, the Sanskrit name for the Indian Ocean has been Ratnakara, the creator of gems, referencing the thousands of jewel-like volcanic islands with mineral-rich soil which created a seemingly unending supply of precious gems.”
97,”Which one of the following usages was a post-Vedic development? (a) Dharma - Artha - Kama - Moksha (b) Brahmana - Kshatriya - Vaishya - Shudra (c) Brahmacharya - Grihastashrama - Vanaprastha - Sanyasa (d) Indra - Surya - Rudra - Marut”
97,C,”Option (a) represents Vedic ideas. Option (b) indicates Varna system in the late Vedic period. Option (d) represents Rig Vedic Gods. Hence, the correct option is (c) During the Post Vedic period, human life is believed to comprise four stages. These are called ‘ashramas’ and every man should ideally go through each of these stages: Brahmacharya (The Celibate Student), Grihastha (The Married Family Man), Vanaprastha (The Hermit in Retreat), and Sannyasa (The Wandering Recluse).”
98,”The name of the poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the (a) Allahabad pillar inscription (b) Aihole inscription (c) Alapadu grant (d) Hanumakonda inscription”
98,B,”The Aihole inscription was written by the Badami Chalukyas King Pulakesin II, who reigned from 610 to 642 CE and was a follower of Jainism. The accounts of Pulakesin’s campaigns are provided in the Aihole inscription dated 634 AD. It was composed by his court poet Ravikirti. Bharavi, who is associated with the Pallavas of Kanchi along with Kalidasa, is mentioned in the famous Aihole Inscription of Pulakesin II.”
99,”In the Gandhar sculpture, the preaching Mudra associated with the Buddha’s First Sermon at Sarnath is (a) Abhaya (b) Dhyana (c) Dharmachakra (d) Bhumisparsa”
99,C,”Dharmachakra, in Sanskrit, means the wheel of Dharma. Thus, the Dharmachakra mudra represents the setting into motion of the wheel of the teaching of the Dharma. The Dharmachakra mudra is formed when the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This particular circle symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma. Similarly, this circle also means, in metaphysical terms, the union of method or Upaya and wisdom or Prajna.”
100,”Toramana belonged to the ethnic horde of the (a) Scythians (b) Hunas (c) Yue chis (d) Sakas”
100,B,”Toramana was the best-known Hun king in India. Toramana was a ruler of the Hephthalite Empire who ruled its Indian region in the late 5th and early 6th century.”
101,”Which one of the following important trade centers of ancient India was on the trade route connecting Kalyana with Vengi? (a) Tagara (b) Sripura (c) Tripuri (d) Tamralipti”
101,A,”Tagara was an important trade center of ancient India on the trade route connecting Kalyana with Vengi.”
102,”The last in the succession of Jain Tirthankaras was”,(a) Parsvanatha,(b) Rishabha,(c) Mahavira,(d) Manisubrata
102,C,”Tirthankar Mahaveer was the last and the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of this epoch. There were twenty-three Tirthankaras before him.”
103,”The Buddhist sect Mahayana formally came into existence during the reign of”,(a) Ajatashatru,(b) Ashoka,(c) Dharmapala,(d) Kanishka
103,D,”The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir or at Jullundhar under the reign of Kanishka, the famous Kushana King. The Council was presided over by Vasumitra and Asvaghosha and had to deal with a serious conflict between the Sarvasthivada teachers of Kashmir and Gandhara. The reign of Kanishka witnessed the ascendence of the Mahayana sect.”
104,”The term nishka, which meant an ornament in the Vedic period, was used in later times to denote a/an”,(a) Weapons,(b) Agricultural implement,(c) Script,(d) Coin
104,D,”The world’s oldest currency coins were issued in ancient India during the Vedic period and were called Nishka and Mana. Nishka coins were small gold units of definite weight.”
105,”Chanakya was also known as”,(a) Bhattasvamin,(b) Rajasekhara,(c) Vishnugupta,(d) Vishakhadatta
105,C,”Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. He is traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra.”
106,”In Jainism ‘perfect knowledge’ is referred to as”,(a) Jina,(b) Ratna,(c) Kaivalya,(d) Nirvana
106,C,”Like the Buddhists, the Jains have a concept of Kaivalya, which is similar to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana and the Hindu concept of Moksha. As in the Hindu concept of Moksha, Kaivalya is attained in Jainism as a ‘release from the cycle of rebirth when the soul is free of attachment to all material things. Until the soul is so entangled, it has to continue to be reborn.”
107,”Ashokan inscriptions were first deciphered by”,(a) Buhler,(b) Robert Sewell,(c) James Prinsep,(d) Codrington
107,C,”In 1837, James Prinsep succeeded in deciphering an ancient inscription on a large stone pillar in Delhi.”
108,”A lot of details regarding the village administration under the Cholas is provided by the inscriptions at”,(a) Thanjavur,(b) Uraiyur,(c) Kanchipuram,(d) Uttarmerur
108,D,”It is the village administration which is mentioned specially and in great detail by Chola epigraphs. The two Uttaramerur inscriptions of the days of Parantaka I give detailed information regarding the functioning of the sabha, a Brahmin village.”
109,”Who among the following is NOT associated with medicine in India?”,(a) Dhanvantari,(b) Bhaskaracharya,(c) Charaka,(d) Susruta
109,B,”Bhaskaracharya was head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain, the leading mathematical center in India at that time.”
110,”Among the four works mentioned below, which one is encyclopedic in nature?”,(a) Amarakosa,(b) Siddhantasiromani,(c) Brihat Samhita,(d) Ashtangahrdaya
110,A,”The Amarakosha is a thesaurus of Sanskrit written by the ancient Indian scholar Amarasimha. The word ‘Amarkosha’ derives from the Sanskrit words amara (‘immortal’) and kosha (‘treasure, dictionary’).”
111,”Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two?”,(a) Chaityas are places of worship while viharas are the dwelling places of the monks,(b) Chaityas are the stupas at the far end of the cave while viharas are the halls axial to it,(c) There is no material difference between the two,(d) Viharas are places of worship while chaityas are the dwelling places of the monks
111,A,”Viharas were for the purpose of living residences of the monks, Chaityas were assemblies for the purpose of discussions. Further, Chaityas were with Stupas, Viharas did not have stupas.”
112,”In ancient India, the territorial name Tosali referred to”,(a) The region between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab,(b) The basin of the river Son,(c) The delta of the river Cauvery,(d) The area of the river Mahanadi
112,D,”Tosala or Tosali formed an important political unit in ancient Odisha.”
113,”Which one of the following does not constitute part of the Veda?”,(a) Nirukta,(b) Upanishad,(c) Brahmana,(d) Samhita
113,A,”Each Veda has three sections: Samhita, Brahmana, and Aranyaka. Samhita has prayers or Suktas. Brahmana has sacrificial methods. Aranyaka has Mantras and methods that are practiced in the forests (that is, not for Grhasthas). Upanishads normally appear in the last part of Aranyaka and deal with spiritual philosophy. All this is part of Vedic literature. But Nirukta means ‘explained, interpreted.’ Nirukta covers etymology, and is the study concerned with the correct interpretation of Sanskrit words in the Vedas. Nirukta is the systematic creation of a glossary and discusses how to understand archaic, uncommon words.”
114,”In which one of the following the Gandhara sculptures of the Buddha are typically Indian, not Greek or Roman?”,(a) In the treatment of the robe,(b) In the rendering of the physiognomy,(c) In the iconography,(d) In the style
114,C,”The home of the Gandhara school of art is the territory in and around Peshawar in northwestern India. It originated during the reign of Indo-Greek rulers. Gandhara art was a blend of Indian and Graeco-Roman elements. The characteristic Gandhara sculptures, the standing or seated Buddha, reflect the essential nature of Gandhara art. The iconography is purely Indian.”
115,”Which one of the following was worshiped as a heavenly god by ancient Indians?”,(a) Surya,(b) Angaraka (Mangala),(c) Sukra,(d) Sani
115,A,”Surya (also known as Aditya) is the Hindu god of the Sun. He is considered the creator of the universe and the source of all life.”
116,”Which one of the following is a Vedanga?”,(a) Sruti,(b) Smriti,(c) Nirukta,(d) Samhita
116,C,”Understanding Vedangas is a prerequisite to understanding the Vedas. There are six Vedangas: Vyakarana Vedanga, Siksha Vedanga, Chandas Vedanga, Jyotisha Vedanga, Kalpa Vedanga, and Nirukta Vedanga. Nirukta is the science of etymologies. It explains the word-roots and derivation of meanings of words in different contexts.”
117,”Fresco paintings in the Ajanta Caves were done while which of the following dynasties was flourishing?”,(a) Guptas,(b) Sungas,(c) Kanvas,(d) Mauryas
117,A,”The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries AD), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings in Ajanta caves are in the form of ‘dry fresco,’ smeared on the top of a dry plaster area rather than wet plaster. It is known from literary sources that these types of paintings were widely practiced and appreciated in courts during the Gupta period.”
118,”Burma was known to ancient Indians as”,(a) Suvarnabhumi,(b) Suvarnadvipa,(c) Yavadvipa,(d) Malayamandalam
118,A,”The island of Sumatra is often described as Suvarnadvipa (‘Islands of Gold’). The term Suvarnabhumi (‘Land of Gold’) is commonly thought to refer to the Southeast Asian Peninsula, including lower Burma and the Malay Peninsula.”
119,”It is said that of the five Doctrines taught by Jainism, four were taken over by Mahavira from previous teachers and only one was added by him. Which one of the following was the doctrine added by him?”,(a) Do not commit violence,(b) Observe continence,(c) Do not acquire property,(d) Do not speak a lie
119,B,”Vardhaman Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. According to Jainism, one has to take five vows, namely: Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (speaking truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possession), and Brahmacharya (non-adultery). It is said that only the fifth doctrine was added by Mahavira to the first four doctrines preached by Parsva.”
120,”Which one of the following does not indicate the difference between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism?”,(a) Belief in the Bodhisattvas,(b) Worship of the image of Buddha,(c) Use of the Sanskrit language,(d) Admission of women into the monasteries
120,D,”Mahayana worships the bodhisattvas and Buddha in image forms and read the Mahayana sutras, while Hinayanists do not perform these. Mahayana Buddhism followers think that the Buddha is a God because they think that the Buddha came down to earth to help people cross the sea of life. So the Buddha can be worshipped as a God because he is eternal and comes down to earth. On the other hand, Hinayana Buddhists think that the Buddha was a human instead of a God because they think the Buddha was simply a man who found a way to Nirvana.”
Admission of women in the monasteries does not indicate the difference b
121,”Indus Valley civilisation is also known as the Harappan culture because”,(a) The site of Harappa is six times larger than the Mohenjodaro site,(b) The Indus Valley civilisation is considered the elementary/initial stage of the Vedic culture and Harappa is believed to be the same as Harappa mentioned in the Vedas,(c) Harappa was the first site to be excavated in the Indian Valley,(d) The most important/significant evidence of the achievements of this civilisation have been excavated from Harappa
121,C,”The Indus or Harappan culture arose in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. It is called Harappan civilization because this was the first discovered site in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa, situated in the province of West Punjab in Pakistan. It is also called the Indus civilization because it refers to precisely the same cultural, chronological, and geographic entity confined to the geographic bounds of the Indus valley.”
122,”The Upanishads are collectively known as”,(a) Vedangas,(b) Vedanta,(c) Sruti,(d) Smriti
122,B,”Collectively, the Upanishads are known as Vedanta (end of the Vedas). The name has stuck because they constitute the concluding part of the Vedas. The word ‘Upanishad’ is derived from a combination of three words, namely upa+ni+sad. ‘Upa’ means near, ‘ni’ means down, and ‘sad’ means to sit. In ancient India, the knowledge of the Upanishads was imparted to students of the highest merit only and that also after they spent considerable time with their teachers and proved their sincerity beyond doubt.”
123,”Which one of the following archaeologists initially discovered the Mohenjodaro site of the Indus Valley civilisation?”,(a) Sir John Marshall,(b) Daya Ram Sahni,(c) Rakhal Das Banerji,(d) Sir Mortimer Wheeler
123,C,”Archaeologist Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay, also known as R. D. Banerji, was working in the Sindh province when he noticed certain high mounds with pottery, flint scrapers, beads, seals, and stone blades scattered around them. This led to a large-scale excavation, resulting in the discovery of a large city built of fired and mortared bricks.”
124,”Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I: List II
A. Chandragupta Maurya 1. The great council of Prayag B. Samudragupta 2. Jainism C. Harsha Vardhan 3. Gangaikonda Cholapuram D. Rajendra Chola 4. Allahabad pillar Select the correct answer from the codes given below: A B C D”,(a) 1 4 2 3 ,(b) 2 3 4 1 ,(c) 3 2 1 4 ,(d) 2 4 1 3
124,D,”Self Explanatory.”
125,”The Harappans did not know the use of”,(a) Bronze,(b) Gold,(c) Iron,(d) Silver
125,C,”Among all the mentioned metals, iron was not known to the Harappan people. The most extensively used metal in the Indus Valley Civilization was pure copper (unalloyed copper). The earliest appearance of metal during the Indus Valley Civilization was silver.”
126,”Who among the following was not a writer of legal texts?”,(a) Yajnavalkya,(b) Manu,(c) Narada,(d) Bharavi
126,D,”Except for Bharavi, all the others are writers of legal texts. Therefore, the incorrect option is (D).”
127,”In which one of the following inscriptions is Ashoka mentioned by name?”,(a) Major Rock edict at Girnar,(b) Minor Rock inscription at Maski,(c) Bairat inscription,(d) Lamghan inscription
127,B,”The only inscription that mentions the name of Ashoka is the Minor Rock Edict at Maski. Therefore, option (B) is correct. The Puranas refer to him as Ashokavardhana. The Junagadh Inscription of Rudradaman mentions him as Asoka Maurya. In the Babhru Inscription, he refers to himself as Piyadassi Laja Magadhe (Piyadassi, King of Magadha). He assumes the titles Devanampiya and Piyadassi in his inscriptions.”
128,”The First Buddhist Council met at”,(a) Rajagriha,(b) Pataliputra,(c) Jalandhara,(d) Kashmir
128,A,”The first Buddhist council took place at Rajagriha, making option (A) correct.”
29,”Which one of the following can be classified as a ‘Pratiloma Marriage’?”,(a) A Brahmin girl marrying a Sudra boy,(b) A Sudra girl marrying a Brahmin boy,(c) A Brahmin girl marrying a Brahmin boy,(d) None of these
130,”The Stone Age people had the first domestic”,(a) Asses,(b) Dogs,(c) Horses,(d) Sheep
130,D,”The first domesticated animal of stone age people was sheep, making option (D) correct. Mehrgarh is located on the Bolan River, a tributary of the Indus, at the eastern edge of the Baluchistan plateau. It is considered the oldest agricultural settlement in the Indian subcontinent. The main domesticated animals in Mehrgarh were cattle, sheep, goats, and water buffalo, while the main cultivated plants were wheat and barley.”
131,”Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below them: List I (works) : List II (Author List I List II
A. Dayabhaga 1. Harsha
B. Mitakshara 2. Jimutavahana
C. Nagananda 3. Krittivasa
D. Ramayana 4. Vijnanesvara Select the correct answer from the codes given below: A B C D”,(a) 2 3 1 4 ,(b) 2 4 1 3 ,(c) 4 2 3 1 ,(d) 4 1 2 3
.131,B,”Self Explanatory.”
132,”Consider the following statement regarding Kautilya’s Arthashastra 1. It Places Morality higher than political expediency 2. It argues the case for a fully centralised government for the empire 3. It deals with problem of administration as well laws of property and crime 4. It Includes section on government of the state and diplomatic relation with other states Of these statement”,(a) 1, 2 and 3 are correct,(b) 2 and 3 are correct,(c) 3 and 4 are correct,(d) 1 ,2 and 4 are correct
132,B,”The Mauryan administration was based on the highly referenced text of the time, Kautilya’s Arthashastra. The Mauryan administration was highly centralized. Kautilya’s Arthashastra elucidates in great detail the principles of both civil and criminal law, emphasizing practicality and realism rather than morality and idealism. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.”
133,”which one of the following was the contemporary Bengal king during the time of Harsha of Kannauj?”,(a) Bhaskaravarman,(b) Divakaramitra,(c) Devagupta,(d) Sasanka
133,D,”Sasanka, the ancient king of Bengal, was a significant ruler in the history of Bengal. A part of Bengal and Assam, known as Kamarupa, was ruled by King Bhaskara Varman, who was an ally of Harsha and, therefore, an enemy of Sasanka. Bhaskara Varman acknowledged Harsha’s suzerainty and remained loyal to him.”
