ANCIENT QUESTIONS 1979-2023 - Sheet3 Flashcards
1
Q
88,”In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak (a) Sanskrit (b) Prakrit (c) Pali (d) Sauraseni”
A
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.”
2
Q
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
A
89,D,”Self Explanatory.”
3
Q
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”
A
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.”
4
Q
91,”The name by which Asoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is (a) Chakravarti (b) Dharmadeva (c) Dharmakirti (d) Priyadarsi”
A
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.”
5
Q
92,”According to Mimamsa system of philosophy liberation is possible by means of (a) Jnana (b) Bhakti (c) Yoga (d) Karma”
A
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.”
6
Q
93,”The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by (a) Mahayana Buddhism (b) Hinayana Buddhism (c) Jainism (d) The Lokayata School”
A
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.”
7
Q
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”
A
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.”
8
Q
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”
A
95,A,”Silver makes its earliest appearance in the Indus civilization. Minerals, unavailable from the alluvial plain, were sometimes brought in from far afield.”
9
Q
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”
A
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.”
10
Q
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”
A
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).”
11
Q
98,”The name of the poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the (a) Allahabad pillar inscription (b) Aihole inscription (c) Alapadu grant (d) Hanumakonda inscription”
A
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.”
12
Q
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”
A
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.”
13
Q
100,”Toramana belonged to the ethnic horde of the (a) Scythians (b) Hunas (c) Yue chis (d) Sakas”
A
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.”
14
Q
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”
A
101,A,”Tagara was an important trade center of ancient India on the trade route connecting Kalyana with Vengi.”
15
Q
102,”The last in the succession of Jain Tirthankaras was”,(a) Parsvanatha,(b) Rishabha,(c) Mahavira,(d) Manisubrata
A
102,C,”Tirthankar Mahaveer was the last and the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of this epoch. There were twenty-three Tirthankaras before him.”
16
Q
103,”The Buddhist sect Mahayana formally came into existence during the reign of”,(a) Ajatashatru,(b) Ashoka,(c) Dharmapala,(d) Kanishka
A
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.”
17
Q
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
A
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.”
18
Q
105,”Chanakya was also known as”,(a) Bhattasvamin,(b) Rajasekhara,(c) Vishnugupta,(d) Vishakhadatta
A
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.”
19
Q
106,”In Jainism ‘perfect knowledge’ is referred to as”,(a) Jina,(b) Ratna,(c) Kaivalya,(d) Nirvana
A
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.”
20
Q
107,”Ashokan inscriptions were first deciphered by”,(a) Buhler,(b) Robert Sewell,(c) James Prinsep,(d) Codrington
A
107,C,”In 1837, James Prinsep succeeded in deciphering an ancient inscription on a large stone pillar in Delhi.”
21
Q
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
A
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.”
22
Q
109,”Who among the following is NOT associated with medicine in India?”,(a) Dhanvantari,(b) Bhaskaracharya,(c) Charaka,(d) Susruta
A
109,B,”Bhaskaracharya was head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain, the leading mathematical center in India at that time.”
23
Q
110,”Among the four works mentioned below, which one is encyclopedic in nature?”,(a) Amarakosa,(b) Siddhantasiromani,(c) Brihat Samhita,(d) Ashtangahrdaya
A
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’).”
24
Q
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
A
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.”
25
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."
26
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."
27
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."
28
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."
29
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."
30
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."
31
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."
32
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."
33
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
34
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."
35
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."
36
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."
37
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."
38
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."
39
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)."
40
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."
41
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."
42
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
43
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."
44
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."
45
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."
46
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."
47
134,"The original name of Mahabharata was",(a) Brihit Katha,(b) Sahastra Samhita,(c) Jaya Samhita,(d) Rajatarangini
134,C,"The Mahabharata was originally known as Jaya Samhita."
48
135,"Which of the following is not a feature of Gandhara School of art?",(a) It was patronised by Sakas and Kushanas,(b) It has Indian and Greek influence,(c) It resulted in the origination of Hinayana Buddhism,(d) It portrayed human figures exactly
135,C,"Hinayana does not advocate the worship of Buddha images. The Gandhara School of art focused on images of Buddha, contradicting the very idea of Hinayana. Hence the correct option is (C)."
49
136,"Jainism differed from Buddhism in which of the following aspects?",(a) Faith in Karma,(b) Doctrine of Ahimsa,(c) Belief In Fasting,(d) Rejection of Yagna
Belief in Soul
- Buddhism denies the concept of self (jiva) or soul (atman), proposing the concept of no-self (anatta) instead.
- Buddhism does not believe in the transmigration of the soul either.
- Jains believe in the existence of an eternal Jiva (soul).
- They believe in the transmigration of the soul.
Non-violence doctrine
- Buddhism takes a moderate path to non-violence. It prohibits violence but is not as strict as Jainism.
- For example, it even permits eating animal flesh, if necessary or as part of the local diet.
- The doctrine of nonviolence ('Ahimsa') is being strictly followed by Jainism.
- For instance, Jain vegetarianism is based on the idea that no animal should be harmed.
- They also prohibit agriculture because they believe that it can kill insects and pests.
Salvation
- Buddhism advises its Upasakas to follow the middle path to attain salvation (Nirvana).
- Nirvana is possible during one’s own life through the practice of detachment from worldly desires and ignorance.
- According to Buddhism, it is possible for both normal men and women to attain salvation.
- Jainism advises the practice of strict asceticism to attain salvation, that is Kaivalya.
- According to Jainism, salvation is possible only after death.
- According to Jainism, women and male householders cannot attain salvation.
The existence of God - The Buddha neither accepted nor rejected the existence of God. He was more concerned about the individual and his actions.
- Jainism recognises the existence of God.
- For example, in Jainism, pantheons of gods, including the Brahmanical gods, are worshipped.
Karma
- The concept of 'karma' law is highly valued in Buddhism.
- This law states that past acts determine the present.
- They also believe in Karma.
- According to Jains, karma is a real substance that permeates the entire universe.
- The actions of the soul draw karma particles to the soul.
Philosophical concepts
- Madhyamika: Also known as Sunyavada and was systematised by Nagarjuna (2nd century A.D)
- The name of this school comes from Buddha’s famous ‘middle position’ (madhyama pratipad).
- The middle position is the rejection of the extreme metaphysical positions of ‘is’ and ‘is not’ (Sasvatavada and Uchedavada).
- Thus it becomes the no-position (transcendental and inexpressible) and they used the word ‘Sunyata’ to explain it.
- Anekantwada: Realistic and relativistic pluralism is what the doctrine of the manyness of reality proposes. A thing can have an infinite number of unique characteristics.
It emphasises how complex and multifaceted ultimate truth and reality are, which is the theory of plurality.
- Syadvada: The doctrine of Jaina metaphysics, which is expressed by the word syat (Sanskrit: "maybe"), holds that all judgements are conditional and valid only under specific circumstances, senses, or conditions.
There are countless ways to view something (called naya).
50
137,"'Mitakshara' is associated with",(a) Yajnavalkya,(b) Poetics,(c) Drama,(d) Grammar
137,A,"Mitakshara, the famous commentary on the Smriti of Yajnavalkya, speaks of the tenfold gradation of Brahmanas and is best known for its theory of inheritance by birth. It was written by Vijnanesvara, a scholar in the Western Chalukya court in the late eleventh and early twelfth century."
51
138,"The Prakrit text 'Gathasaptasati' is attributed to the Satavahana King",(a) Vasishtiputra Pulumavi,(b) Hala,(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni,(d) Amaru
138,B,"Hala composed the Gathasaptasati, also known as Sattasai, an anthology of 700 erotic verses in Maharashtri or Paisachi Prakrit. This work contains a collection of the best lyrical poems, independent and unconnected with each other, full of meaning abounding in suggestive or figurative speech rather than in laksana and abhidha, with depth of emotional feelings."
52
139,"Match The Following:
A. Chaitya 1 Amaravati
B. Stupa 2 Besnagar
C. Pillar 3 Karle
D. Brick Temple 4 Bhitragaon
Select the correct answer from the codes given below A B C D",(a) 1 3 4 2,(b) 2 3 4 1,(c) 3 1 2 4,(d) 3 1 4 2
139,C,"Stupa: The Amaravati Stupa, one of the largest stupas built in Buddhist India, was begun around 200 BC and underwent several renovations and additions. Chaitya: Karle in Pune is one of the most famous centers of early rock-cut architecture and has received much attention from scholars and commoners alike. Pillar: The Heliodorus pillar, erected around 110 BCE, was set up as a Garuda dhwaja in honor of the god Vasudeva. It is made of pinkish-brown quartzite sandstone. Brick Temples: The Bhitargaon Temple in Kanpur, built during the Gupta Empire in the 5th century, is the oldest remaining brick/terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a high Shikhara."
53
140,"'Mattavilasa' is written by",(a) Harsha,(b) Rajashekhara,(c) Somadeva,(d) Mahendravarman I
140,D,"Kanchi, the Pallava capital, was a great center of Sanskrit learning. Most of the kings were accomplished scholars, and Mahendraverman I (590-630) himself wrote the famous burlesque, Mattavilasa Prahasana."
54
141,"Assertion (A) : The Form Of Government in Rig Vedic period was monarchy Reason (R) : Priest enjoyed both social and political status and influenced administration",(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A,(b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A,(c) A is true but R is False,(d) A is false but R is true
141,D,"The polity of the Early Vedic period was basically a tribal polity with the tribal chief at the center, which later transformed into monarchy in the later Vedic period. Tribal assemblies, such as the Gana, Vidhata, Sabha, and Samiti, are mentioned in the Rigveda. The Sabha may have been the council of select clan members, while the Samiti was a general tribal assembly comprising the whole clan. These assemblies performed governmental functions and were involved in selecting the raja from the clansmen. Therefore, (A) is not entirely true, but (R) is true."
55
142,"Match the Following
A. Charak 1 Samkhya
B. Nagarjuna 2. Sanskrit author
C.Kapila 3 Ayurveda
D.Gorakhnath 4 Rasaratnakara Select the correct answer from the codes given below A B C D",(a) 1 2 3 4,(b) 2 1 3 4,(c) 4 2 1 3,(d) 3 4 1 2
142,D,"Self Explanatory."
56
143,Man Passed from the food gathering stage to the food producing stage in the,Neolithic Age,Mesolithic Age,Chalcolithic Age,Palaeolithic Age
143,A,"During the Neolithic period, humans completely changed their way of life by beginning to domesticate animals and cultivate plants. Dogs, goats, and sheep were probably the first animals to be domesticated."
57
144,Near the banks of which one of the following rivers the excavation in recent years has brought to light that Indus Valley Civilization percolated to far south?,Mahanadi,Cauvery,Krishna,Godavari
144,C,"The center of the Indus Valley Civilization was in Sind and Punjab in undivided India, and it spread in all directions. In the south, it extended up to Bhagvatray in the Narmada Estuary of Gujarat. Indus Valley civilization remnants have been discovered as far south as Mumbai in Maharashtra State. Recent excavations have shown that the Indus Valley civilization extended up to the Krishna River in the south."
58
145,The oldest Hindu epic is,Mahabhashya,Ramayana,Ashtadhyayi,Mahabharata
145,B,"According to tradition, the Ramayana was composed around 500 BC, and the original authorship is attributed to Valmiki."
59
146,Who among the following was not sent to Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism?,Rashtriya,Bhadrasaro,Uttriya,Sona
146,D,"Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra as Buddhist missionaries to Ceylon. He also sent a branch of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha had received enlightenment. This tree is claimed to be surviving till today in Sri Lanka, though the parent tree in India was destroyed in the seventh century AD, supposedly by Sasanka of Gauda."
60
147,Sculptures of the Mathura School of Art which flourished in the early centuries of the Christian Era are made out of,Marble,Slate stone,Granite,Red sandstone
147,D,"The Mathura art form originated around the 2nd century BC and became a major school of art by the 1st century AD. Mathura remained the main art production site, with Sarnath and Kosambi also emerging as important centers of art production. Spotted red sandstone was used in this school."
61
148,The earliest evidence of a Jewish community settling in India is provided by a charter of a,Chola king,Pandya king,Chera king,Vijayanagara king
148,D,"The earliest evidence of a Jewish community settling in India is provided by the charter of the Vijayanagara kings."
62
149,The Lingayat movement owes its origin to,Vidyaranya,Purandharadasa,Appar,Basava
149,D,"The Virashaivas or Lingayata movement was developed by Basava, a minister of the Chalukya king Bijjala Raya of Kalyana (1157-68 AD). Basava used his political power and position to further the cause of this movement, which was as much a social reform as a religious one. Visistadvaitavada played an important part in the tenets of this school. Irasaivism means the Saivism of the stalwarts or heroic Saivism."
63
Match the following:
A. Amaravati 1. Hoysalas
B. Aihole 2. Cholas
C. Thanjavur 3. Satavahanas
D. Halebid 4. Chalukyas
5. Pandyas
150,C,"Self Explanatory."
Match the following:
A. Amaravati 3. Satavahanas
B. Aihole 4. Chalukyas
C. Thanjavur 2. Cholas
D. Halebid 1. Hoysalas
5. Pandyas
64
A. Rig Veda
. Musical Hymns
B. Yajur Veda
. Hymns and Rituals
C. Sama Veda
. Charms and Spells
D. Atharva Veda
. Hymns and Prayer
151,A,"Self Explanatory."
4213
65
152,Assertion (A) : In the ancient period of Indian history, urbanization was followed by pastoral life,Reason (R) : The Harappan Culture was an urban one,Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A,Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A,A is true but R is false,A is false but R is true
152,B,"Assertion (A) is true as Vedic culture preceded Harappan culture. However, Reason (R) is merely a fact and not a valid explanatory reason for the truth of (A)."
66
1987,153,Metals known to Indus Valley Civilization were,Gold, copper, silver but not iron,Silver, iron, bronze but not gold,Iron, copper, gold but not silver,Zinc, silver, iron but not gold
153,A,"To find the answer, eliminate iron, as it was hard and required high temperatures for smelting, technology not discovered until later Indus times. Iron was later used by Aryans."
67
Match the columns:
(A) Roaper (i) Informs about Mauryan Empire
(B) Kumarahar (ii) Treaty of alliance between Bentinck and Ranjit Singh
(C) Aihole (iii) Staute of Lord Bahubali
(D) Shravan Belgola (iv) Sites of Chalukyan architecture
154,C,"Self Explanatory."
A-(ii) B-(i) C-(iv) D-(iii)
Notes: The Treaty of Roaper of 1809 was an agreement between the British East India Company and Ranjit Singh, the Sikh leader who founded the Sikh empire.
Kumrahar is the name of an area of Patna, where remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra were excavated. It is located 5 km east of Patna Railway Station. Archaeological remains of the Mauryan period have been found.
Aihole is a historic site of Chalukyan architecture. The Chalukyas sponsored artisans and built many temples in this region between the 6th and 8th centuries.
The place Shravanabelagola is famous for its Gomateshwara Temple also known as Bahubali Temple. Shravanabelagola has two hills, Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri. The 58 feet tall monolithic statue of Bahubali is located on Vindhyagiri Hill.
68
1987,155,Lineage is .......,A straight line joining any two points on the globe,The line of descendants of a particular ancestor,The Paleolithic age,The linking of genes
155,B,"Lineage refers to the descendants of a common ancestor."
69
Q. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
(a) Their chief deities were Mother Goddess and Shiva
(b) They worshipped bulls
(c) They had all amenities of a developed city life
(d) They did not know of iron
(c) They had all amenities of a developed city life
Explanation: A characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilization is (c) They had all amenities of a developed city life.
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished around 2600 to 1900 BCE in the region that is now part of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations and exhibited several distinctive features.
One of the notable characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization was its well-planned cities with advanced urban infrastructure. The cities, such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, had sophisticated architectural layouts, well-designed street systems, and advanced drainage and sanitation systems. They had well-constructed houses, public buildings, granaries, and even public baths, indicating a high level of urban planning and development.
The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization also had access to amenities like public wells and water supply systems, indicating a focus on hygiene and convenience. The presence of standardized weights and measures suggests a well-organized economic system.
While the worship of deities and animals, such as the Mother Goddess and bulls, is also associated with the Indus Valley Civilization, it is the presence of developed city life with all its amenities that sets it apart as a characteristic feature. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) They had all amenities of a developed city life.
70
1987,157,Which of the following was the principle article of food of the Indus Valley people?,Fish,Palm date,Eggs,Wheat
157,D,"The main crops in the Indus Valley Civilization were wheat and barley. Evidence for the cultivation of rice comes only from Lothal and Rangpur (Gujarat)."
71
1987,158,Which of the following was the main reason of the downfall of Mauryan empire?,Weak successors of Ashoka who could not control the empire properly,Religious policy of Ashoka,Ashoka maintained friendly relations with his neighbors,None of the above
158,A,"Weak rulers, short durations of rule, and cracks in the imperial bureaucratic setup led to political weakness in the later Mauryan Empire. Provincial governments under the later Mauryans took the opportunity to break away and set up independent kingdoms. The succession of weak Mauryan rulers after Asoka can be imagined from the fact that as many as six rulers could rule for only 52 years over the eastern part of the empire, and finally, the last Mauryan king was assassinated by his own commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga."
72
1987,159,Gandhara School of art was developed during the reign of,Ashoka,Kanishka,Chandragupta,Bindusara
159,B,"The best specimens of Gandhara sculpture were produced during the first and second centuries A.D. Although the Gandhara School of art originated during the reign of Indo-Greek rulers, the real patrons were the Sakas and the Kushanas, particularly Kanishka. Gandhara art was a blend of Indian and Graeco-Roman elements, with specimens found in Taxila, Peshawar, and several places in northwest India."
73
1987,160,The ancient Indian coins were introduced during the,3rd century AD,3rd century BC,Kanishka’s period,Ashoka’s reign
160,B,"The coinage of India, issued by Imperial dynasties and Middle kingdoms, began anywhere between the 6th century BC and the 1st millennium BC, consisting mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. However, scholars remain divided over the origins of Indian coinage."
74
1987,161,Arrange the following in proper sequence :,Vinayapitaka,Gita Govinda,Raghuvamsha,Atharvaved
161,C,"The chronological order of the mentioned texts is as follows: Atharva Veda belongs to Vedic times and is the earliest of the four. Vinayapitaka, also known as Tripitaka or Three Baskets, was compiled shortly after the Buddha’s death, in the 3rd century BC. Raghuvamsha was written by Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century AD during the Gupta period. The Gita Govinda is a work composed by the 12th-century poet Jayadeva, the famous Vaishnava poet of Bengal who lived at the court of Lakshmanasena."
75
1987,162,Arrange the following Buddhist councils in a chronological order,Vaishali,Rajagraha,Patliputra,Sreenarar
162,D,"The four Buddhist Councils are as follows: 1. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagraha under the chairmanship of Mahakasapa immediately after the death of Buddha to maintain the purity of his teachings. 2. The Second Buddhist Council was convened at Vaisali around 383 B.C., following conflicts between conservative and liberal elements of the Sangha. 3. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under the patronage of Ashoka to reconcile different schools of Buddhism and purify the Buddhist movement. 4. The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka under the chairmanship of Vasumitra and Asvagosha. This council led to the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism."
76
1985,163,Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at,Bodh Gaya,Sarnath,Kushi Nagar,Lumbini
163,A,"Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 567 B.C. in Lumbini Garden near Kapilavastu. He attained enlightenment (Nirvana) at the age of thirty-five after intense penance under a bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya."
Hint: Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana at a place where Mahabodhi Temple Complex is present. He was a spiritual leader who was the founder of religion Buddhism.
Complete answer: Lord Buddha is known to have attained nirvana at the age of 35. He was the founder of the religion of Buddhism. He attained nirvana in Bihar at Bodh Gaya which is a part of the Gaya district under what is now called the Bodhi tree. He decided to attain enlightenment after fighting off an evil spirit named Mara at the age of 35, after which he became a Buddha. The place where he reached enlightenment is now a famous pilgrimage and is associated with the Mahabodhi temple.
Option A. Bodh Gaya in the Gaya district, in the state of Bihar, was where Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana.
Option B. Sarnath is a place located in the city of Varanasi where Buddha first taught the Dharma and the Buddhist Sangha came into existence.
Option C. Sanchi is a town located near the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It is very famous for having one of the world’s oldest stone structures built by emperor Ashoka.
Option D. Kushinagar is an important pilgrimage site in the state of Uttar Pradesh where Lord Buddha is known to have attained parinirvana.
Thus, The correct answer is Option A.
Note: Do not confuse ‘nirvana’ with ‘parinirvana’. Lord Buddha attained Nirvana at the age of 35 when he was alive at Bodh Gaya. He is known to have attained Parinirvana after his death at Kushinagar.
77
1985,164,Which of the following statements is incorrect?,Chandragupta Vikramaditya killed the Saka,Samudragupta is known as Indian Napoleon,Skandagupta defeated Huns,Kumaragupta restored the embankment of Sundarsana Lake
164,D,"Rudradaman I (130-150 AD), a Saka ruler from the Western Kshatrapas dynasty, is credited with supporting cultural arts and Sanskrit literature. The Sanskrit Junagadh inscription dated 150 AD mentions Rudradaman I's efforts in repairing the dam built by the Mauryans."
78
1985,165,Which of the following can be regarded as the chief contribution of Buddhism to India?,Art and literature,Architecture,Ahimsa and self-purification,Rituals
165,C,"Buddhism emerged as a reaction to Brahmanical rituals, and Buddha strongly opposed rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonial worship. Buddha emphasized Ahimsa and laid great emphasis on morality and purity of thought, word, and deed. Therefore, the correct option is (C)."
79
166. Match the columns :
167. A.Upanishads 1. World’s oldest scriptures
168. B. Samveda 2. Magical chants
169. C.Rigveda 3. Mysterious doctrine
170. D.Atharvaveda 4. Ritual Select the correct answer from the codes given below : A B C D (a) 4 3 2 1 (b) 3 4 2 1 (c) 1 2 3 4 (d) 4 2 3 1
166,B,"Self Explanatory."
Answer: 3 4 1 2
Notes: Upanishads - Mysterious doctrine
Samaveda - Ritual juice
Rig-Veda - World’s oldest scriptures
Atharvaveda- Magical chants
80
167,Which of the following was not known to Indus Valley people?,Silver,Copper,Iron,Bronze
167,C,"Iron was not known during the Indus times. It was later used by Aryans. Therefore, the correct option is (C)."
81
Match the columns:
(A) Amaranth (1) Buddhist caves
(B) Rock cut temples (2) Jain saint
(C) Ajanta (3) Hindu shrine
(D) Bahubali (4) Mahabalipuram A B C D
168,C,"Self Explanatory."
Answer: 3 4 1 2
Notes: * Amaranth cave is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m.
* A rock cut temple is carved from a large rock and excavated and cut to imitate a wooden or masonry temple with wall decorations and works of art. Pancha Rathas is an example of monolith Indian rock cut architecture dating from the late 7th century located at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad.
* Bahubali a much revered figure among Jains was the son of Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara of Jainism, and the younger brother of Bharata Chakravartin.
4
82
169,"Major difference between ""varna"" and ""Jati"" is that",A. Jatis are limited whereas varnas are unlimited,B. Jatis are only four whereas varnas are many,C. Varnas are only four whereas Jatis are many,D. Jatis are decided by birth but not Varna
169,C,"The Varna system, consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras, was thoroughly established during the Later Vedic period. Many sub-castes based on occupation emerged later. The terms Varna (theoretical classification based on occupation) and Jati (community) are distinct concepts."
83
170,Rigved, the oldest of the vedas chiefly contains,A. Collection of hymns to gods,B. Methods of vedic yagnas,C. Early Aryan culture,D. Origin and works of Hindu gods
170,A,"The Rigvedic Samhita comprises ten books or Mandalas, mainly containing hymns to gods."
84
171,Which of the following presents the most significant features of Indus Valley Civilization?,A. Buildings with perfect arches,B. Use of burnt mud bricks,C. Use of sun dried mud bricks,D. None of these
171,B,"The large-scale use of burnt bricks in almost all kinds of constructions and the absence of stone buildings are important characteristics of the Harappan culture."
85
172,Ajanta paintings depict,A. Ramayana,B. Mahabharata,C. Jatakas,D. Panchatantra
172,C,"The Ajanta caves, located in Maharashtra, have paintings with a didactic function, imparting the teachings of Buddha and his experiences during various reincarnations."
86
173,Indus Valley Civilization was spread over,A. Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan,B. Sind, Punjab and Kashmir,C. Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kashmir,D. None of these
173,A,"The Harappan culture was spread over regions including Afghanistan, Sind, Baluchistan, Jammu, almost the whole of Punjab, northern Rajasthan, Kathiawar, and Gujarat."
Detailed Solution. The Indus Civilization was mainly spread over Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western U.P and Northern Maharashtra. Historians generally believe that the Harappa-Ghaggar-Mohenjodaro axis represents the heartland of the Indus Civilizatio
87
174,What was the main feature of Maurya dynasty in India?,A. Education was widespread,B. Terrorists were driven out of Sind and Punjab,C. Removal of land tax for the first time,D. Decentralization of administration
174,D,"The administration was an important feature of the Mauryan Empire. A council of ministers called Mantriparishad assisted the king in administrative matters. Civil servants called Amatyas looked after day-to-day administration, similar to IAS officers of independent India."
Decentralized government was the key feature of the Mauryan government. All the powers were concentrated in the hands of the emperor. Though he was the supreme authority of judiciary, civil and military administration, he wasn't a complete autocrat and his authority was under some restraints
88
175,Main preachings of Buddha were in regard to,A. Right faith and conduct,B. Love of god,C. Practice of rituals,D. Idol worship
175,A,"The Eightfold Path in Buddhism consists of right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration."
89
176,Which of the following statements is not correct about Nalanda University?,A. It was an ancient Buddhist learning center,B. A Chinese Hiuen Tsang studied here,C. We came to know about it only through the writings of Chinese pilgrims,D. It was mainly responsible for spreading Buddhism to China, Japan, and South East Asia
176,C,"Nalanda flourished under the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj. Much information about Nalanda University is known from the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen-Tsang), who visited the university."
90
177,The philosophical systems of the Hindus were propounded and properly codified in the,A. Vedic age,B. Maurya age,C. Kanishka age,D. Gupta age
177,A,"Major Hindu philosophical systems like the four Vedas, Upanishads, and Darshanas emerged in ancient India and were codified in the early and later Vedic periods."
91
178,The following were famous scholars in ancient India: 1. Ashvaghosh 2. Nagarjuna 3. Vasumitra 4. Buddhaghosa. Which of them was/were contemporary of Kanishka?,A. 1, 2, 3, 4,B. 1, 3 and 4,C. 1 and 2 only,D. 1, 2 and 3
178,D,"Asvaghosa, Nagarjuna, and Vasumitra were all associated with Buddhist literature and philosophy during the Kushana period. Buddhaghosa, however, was a 5th-century Indian Theravada Buddhist commentator and scholar, not contemporary with Kanishka."
92
179,Ancient Indian art and architecture reached its zenith during the period of,A. Rajputs,B. Mauryas,C. Guptas,D. None of these
179,C,"The Gupta age marks the beginning of free-standing temple architecture. Images of shakti cult goddesses also begin to appear in increasing numbers and sizes, particularly Durga and the Mother Goddess."
93
180,Lothal is,A. A closed water system,B. A poisonous gas,C. A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilization,D. Legal action taken against defectors
180,C,"Lothal, dating from 2400 BCE, was a prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley civilization, located in Gujarat. It was a vital trade center, with trade reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa."
94
181,Out of the following, the oldest dynasty is,A. Mauryas,B. Nandas,C. Pallavas,D. Guptas
181,B,"The Nanda dynasty originated from the region of Magadha in ancient India during the 4th century BC and lasted between 345-321 BC."
95
182,Saka era was introduced by,A. Ashoka,B. Kanishka,C. Chandragupta Maurya,D. Harsha Vardhan
182,B,"The date of accession of Kanishka I, the best known of the Kushana rulers, was in all probability AD 78, marking the beginning of the Saka era."
96
183,The script of Indus Valley civilization was,A. Persian,B. Dravidian,C. Sanskrit,D. Undeciphered
183,D,"The Indus Script, also known as the Harappan script, remains undeciphered. It is believed to have been written boustrophedonically, meaning from right to left and from left to right in alternate lines. The script is mainly pictographic, and most inscriptions are short, with the longest containing about 26 signs."
97
184,Earliest Indian coins belonged to which period?,A. 5th century B.C,B. Ashoka's reign,C. 1st century A.D,D. 3rd century A.D
184,C,"The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers to issue coins featuring the name, title, and portrait of the ruler who issued them. This practice started in the north-west, while other indigenous dynasties like the Satavahanas in the Deccan issued coins only around 1 AD."
98
185,Megasthenes visited the court of,A. Ashoka,B. Harsh,C. Chandragupta Maurya,D. Vikramaditya
185,C,"Chandragupta Maurya united northern India by defeating his rivals around 324 BC. He also waged war against Seleucus Nicator, the successor of Alexander the Great in Asia, expelling his forces from India's borderlands. Megasthenes was Seleucus's representative at Chandragupta's court."
99
186,At which place did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?,A. Sarnath,B. Lumbini,C. Bodh Gaya,D. Vaishali
186,A,"After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon to his five former companions. This event is referred to as 'the turning of the wheel of the Dharma' and marks the founding of the Sangha, or the community of monks."
100
187,Who is regarded as the greatest law giver of ancient India?,A. Megasthenes,B. Panini,C. Manu,D. Kautilya
187,C,"Manu, the legendary figure in Indian mythology, is known as the author of the Manu Smriti, an important Sanskrit law code. Manu is also associated with performing the first sacrifice in the Vedas. Megasthenes was a Greek traveler, Panini worked on grammar, and Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra."
101
188,Idol worship was started in,A. Gupta period,B. Vedic period,C. Epic period,D. Maurya period
188,C,"Idol worship in India is believed to have started during the reign of Kanishka (127 AD - 151 AD) when people began making idols of Lord Buddha. This practice is considered to have been borrowed from Buddhism by Hinduism."
102
189,Neolithic period of age not characterized by,A. Agriculture,B. Use of copper,C. Domestication of animals,D. Fishing
189,B,"The Neolithic age marked the beginning of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent. While domestication of animals and fishing were prevalent activities, the use of metals like copper required advanced skills not present during the Neolithic age."
103
190,We can know about the early Vedic period from,A. Archaeological excavations,B. Contemporary cultures,C. Rigveda,D. Jatak katha
190,C,"The Aryans were primarily rural and agriculture-based, and most of their constructions made of unbaked bricks have perished over time. The knowledge about the Aryans primarily comes from the Rigveda Samhita, composed between c. 1500-1200 BCE."
104
191,Name the God who lost his importance in the beginning of Christian era?,A. Indra,B. Brahma,C. Vishnu,D. Mahesh
191,A,"Indra, the god of thunder and rain in the Rigveda, led the Deva and the elements such as Agni, Surya, and Vayu. The cult of Vishnu in the early period was known as Bhagavatism, which developed from the Vedic cult Vasudeva Krishna."
105
192,The Indus Valley people had contacts with,A. Egyptians,B. Sumerians,C. Chinese,D. Mesopotamians
192,D,"Harappan seals and objects have been found in Mesopotamia, indicating trade between the two regions. Meluhha, mentioned in Mesopotamian literature, is now understood to refer to the Indus region, indicating trade with India."
106
193,Upanishads are,A. Religious books of Hindus,B. Books dealing with ancient Hindu laws,C. Books on social behavior of man,D. Prayers to God
193,A,"The Upanishads are a collection of religious and philosophical texts written in India between 800 BC and 500 BC. The term 'Upanishad' implies listening closely to the mystic doctrines of a guru or spiritual teacher."
107
194,Lothal is connected as an excavation site of the civilization of,A. Indus Valley Civilization,B. Sumerians,C. Mesopotamians,D. Vedic Aryan
194,A,"Lothal, dating from 2400 BCE, was a prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley civilization, known for its dock connecting the city to trade routes between Harappan cities in Sindh and Saurashtra."
108
195,In which way is Sarnath associated with Lord Buddha ?,A. He resided there,B. He was born there,C. He ruled there,D. He preached his first Sermon there
195,D,"After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon to his five former companions. This event is referred to as 'the turning of the wheel of the Dharma' and marks the founding of the Sangha."
109
196,Which of the following is the most important cause for the decline of Buddhism after Ashoka?,A. Non patronage by the kings,B. Condemnation of animal sacrifices,C. Growth of licentious practices in Buddhist centers,D. Allegiance to the
196,A,"Royal patronage played a crucial role in the socio-political and economic basis for any religion in ancient times. Buddhism, like other religions, relied on royal patronage for its spread. The decline of royal patronage contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India."
The decline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent refers to a gradual process of dwindling and replacement of Buddhism in India, which ended around the 12th century. The decline of Buddhism has been attributed to various factors:
* Regionalisation of India after the end of the Gupta Empire which led to the loss of patronage and donations
* Indian dynasties turned to the services of Hindu Brahmins
* Invasions of north India by various groups such as Huns, Turco-mongols and Persians
Subsequent destruction of Buddhist institutions such as Nalanda and religious persecutions
110
197,Which of the following is not related to the Gandhara School of Art ?,A. Ellora,B. Ajanta,C. Khajuraho,D. Elephanta
197,C,"Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta caves mainly date from 1 AD to 6 AD, while Khajuraho belongs to the 9th or 10th century AD."
111
198,Which of the following was the most important characteristic of Kanishka’s rule ?,A. Expansion of Buddhism outside India,B. Re-emergence of Jainism,C. Fourth Buddhist Council at Srinagar,D. Gandhara School of Art
198,C,"The expansion of Buddhism outside India primarily occurred under the rule of Ashoka, not Kanishka. The Gandhara School of Art emerged from Greek contacts after Alexander's invasion of India. Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council and patronized Buddhism."
112
199,Saka era commenced from,A. 78 AD,B. 120 AD,C. 1000 AD,D. 1953 AD
199,A,"The date of accession of Kanishka I, the most renowned of the Kushana rulers, was in all probability AD 78, marking the beginning of the Saka era."
113
200,The sculpture with the three faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh known as Trimurti appears in,A. Ajanta caves,B. Ellora caves,C. Kalva caves,D. Elephanta caves
200,D,"The Elephanta Caves contain a colossal 20-foot-high image of the three-headed Shiva, Trimurti, considered a masterpiece of Indian art."
114
201,The worship of idols started in India in,A. Pre-Aryan period,B. Gupta period,C. Maurya period,D. Kushan period
201,D,"Idol worship as a practice became prominent during the Gupta period, reaching its peak, although sculptures and figurines existed earlier. The practice of idol worship is believed to have started during the reign of Kanishka, who was known for making idols of Lord Buddha."
115
202,Which of the following throws light on Harappan Culture?,A. Archaeological excavations,B. The script on copper sheets,C. Rock edicts,D. All of the above
202,A,"During the Harappan civilization, there was no well-developed script apart from a few pictographic symbols. However, the urban nature of the Harappan culture and the use of burnt bricks in construction, which remained intact over time, make archaeological excavations a valuable source of information."
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203,The name Pahalavi Dynasty in Iran is derived from the,A. Language,B. King,C. Religion,D. River
203,B,"In 1925, a specially convened assembly deposed Ahmad Shah, the last ruler of the Qajar dynasty in Iran, and named Reza Khan, who later adopted the surname Pahlavi, as the new shah."
