Ancient History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the: [2000]

Correct Answer: (a) Greeks
Solution:Greeks first introduced military governorship in India. They appointed their Governors called strategos.
The post-Mauryan period in ancient India witnessed the rise of various foreign kingdoms such as Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, and Kushanas. One of the first was the Indo-Greek Kingdom. The interaction between India and the Greeks began with Alexander’s invasion of northwestern India and conquest of the Punjab region.
The Indo-Greek Kingdom (also known as Yavanas) primarily ruled in the northwestern region including various parts of modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwest India. Indo-Greeks ruled from three areas - one branch from Bactria (Afghanistan), the second from Taxila, and the third from Sakia (Sialkot).

2. Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander's invasion? [2000]

Correct Answer: (a) Nanda
Solution:Alexander invaded India in 326 BC. Nandas were ruling over India at that time. The chronological order of these 4 dynasties was: Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Kanvas.

Nanda Dynasty

  • Between 343 and 321 BCE, the Nanda dynasty controlled Magadha in northern India.
  • The Nanda capital was in the Magadha area of eastern India, near Pataliputra (modern-day Patna). The Buddhist and Jain traditions, as well as the Sanskrit drama Mudrarakshasa, attest to this.
  • The Nandas expanded on the achievements of their Haryanka and Shishunaga forefathers by establishing a more centralised administration.
  • According to ancient texts, they amassed vast fortunes as a consequence of the adoption of a new currency and taxing system.
  • According to ancient records, the Nandas were despised by their subjects due to their poor social rank, high taxing, and general misbehaviour.
  • Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire, and Chanakya, the latter’s tutor, deposed the last Nanda ruler.
  • Mahapadma was the founder of the dynasty, according to the Puranas, and he was the son of the Shishunaga monarch Mahanandin.

3. Hoysala monuments are found in: [2001]

Correct Answer: (b) Halebid and Belur
Solution:The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebid.
Three Hoysala-era temples in Karnataka (Chennakeshava (Belur), Hoysaleswara (Halebidu) and Kesava Temple (Somanathapura, Mysuru)) recently made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, under the collective entry of ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas’.
The announcement was made by UNESCO, during the World Heritage Committee’s 45th session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

4. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2001]

List-IList-II
(a) The Harappan civilizationPainted Greyware
(b) The KushansGandhra School of Art
(c) The MughalsAjanta Paintings
(d) The MarathasPahari School of Painting
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:Painted Greyware belonged to later Vedic period (1000-600BC). Ajanta paintings belong to the Gupta period. Pahari School came into existence during the Mughal period.
The Gandhara School of Art is one of the three most popular schools of art originating in the first century CE. It originated in Gandhara (now in Pakistan). Gandhara school of art was predominantly Buddhist. The Buddhist religion flourished under the patronage of Kushan emperors, and several images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas were produced during their reign.
The Buddha in the symbolic form got a human form in the Mathura and Gandhara school of art. The sculptural tradition in Gandhara showed the confluence of Bactria, Parthia, and the local Gandhara tradition.

5. Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly. [2001]

Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

Correct Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
Solution:To popularize the Mahayana form of Buddhism. Harshavardhana convened an assembly at Kannauj. The Prayag assembly was convened to popularize himself.
  • Another spectacular assembly at Prayaga in the same year followed the Kannauj Assembly.
  • It was known as the Maha Moksha Parishad. Harsha held this assembly every five years to donate gifts to people.
  • The assembly that Hiuen Tsang saw at Prayaga in 643 A.D. was the sixth such Moksha Parishad held in Harsha’s reign.
  • While the Kannauj Assembly was primarily religious in nature to highlight the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, the Prayaga Assembly was known for offering charities to all classes of people.
  • It saw a huge gathering of people. Emperor Harsha and Hiuen Tsang attended this unique assembly and distributed gifts among the people.
  • The assembly’s ceremonies lasted 75 days. Every arrangement was detailed for accommodation and food for such a big gathering.
  • During this assembly, Harsha installed three images of Buddha, Sun, and Shiva and gave away everything he had except his clothing.

6. Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon? [2001]

Correct Answer: (c) Rajendra
Solution:In 1017, Rajendra conquered Ceylon (Srilanka). Earlier Rajaraja I conquered only half of it.
The Cholas belonged to one of the three mighty dynasties that ruled the Tamil country in the early Sangam period. Described as the Muvendhar in the Sangam literature, they were known for their valour and patronage of the Tamil language.
They became prominent in the ninth century and established an empire comprising a significant portion of South India.
They also extended their sway in Sri Lanka and the Malay Peninsula. Therefore, they are called the Imperial Cholas.

7. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir? [2001]

Correct Answer: (d) Vasumitra
Solution:

The Fourth Buddhist Council was organised on the advice of a famous Buddhist monk- Parsva. This council is famous for the formal separation of the Buddhist sangha into Hinayana and Mahayana based on sharp doctrinal differences. This council was organised under the patronage of Kanishka.

Venue: Kashmir
President: Vasumitra
Asvaghosha, a famous Buddhist scholar, participated in this council.
Outcome: The emergence of Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) and Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) schools of Buddhism during this council.
Vibhasha shastras: It is a compilation of the commentaries and discussion on some difficult topics discussed during the council.

8. Which one of the following animals was not represented seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture? [2001]

Correct Answer: (a) Cow
Solution:Cow, camel, horse and lion were not depicted on seals. Unicorn (bull) was the animal most commonly represented on the seals.
Thousands of seals have been discovered on various Harappan sites.
Materials: The seals were usually made of steatite and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience gold, ivory, and terracotta.
Steatite, a soft stone found in the river beds, was the most common material used to make seals.
Every seal is engraved in a pictographic script which is yet to be deciphered.
Animal motifs on the seals:
The seals had carvings of beautiful figures of animals, such as unicorn bulls, rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, bison, goat, and buffalo.
Purpose: The seals served various purposes:
Mainly used for commercial purposes.
Also used as amulets: carried on the persons of their owners, perhaps as modern-day identity cards.
Most remarkable seal: Pashupati Seal, is also identified as a female deity. It has various animal motifs, such as elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, buffalo and antelopes.

9. Match List-I (Ancient site) with List-II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List-I (Ancient site) List-I (Archaeological finding) 
A. Lothal1. Ploughed field
B. Kalibangan2. Dockyard
C. Dholavira3. Terrcotta replica of a plough
D. Banawali4. Aninscriptioncomprising ten large sized signs of the Harappan script

Codes:

ABCD
(a)1234
(b)2143
(c)1243
(d)2134
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:The correct match is option (b).
  • The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 2500 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India.
  • Renowned for its advanced city planning, sophisticated drainage systems, and impressive architectural achievements, it stands out as a major centre of early civilisation in South Asia.
  • This ancient civilisation is characterised by its well-organized cities, standardised brick constructions, and vibrant trade networks.
  • The Indus Valley Civilization’s contributions to urban development and trade set foundational precedents for future civilisations.

10. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2002]

Correct Answer: (a) The statue of Gomateshwara at Shravana Belagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains.
Solution:The Statue of Gomateshwara was built in deference to Jain deity Bahubali, It does not represent last Tirthankara of Jains. India's largest Buddhist monastery is Tawang Monastery located in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.