Ancient History (Part-II)

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

(a) Greeks
(b) Shakas
(c) Parthians
(d) Mughals

Correct Answer: (a) Greeks

Solution:Greeks first introduced military governorship in India. They appointed their Governors called strategos.

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

(a) Nanda
(b) Maurya
(c) Sunga
(d) Kanva

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.

3. Hoysala monuments are found in: [2001]

(a) Hampi and Hosper
(b) Halebid and Belur
(c) Mysore and Bangalore
(d) Sringeri and Dharwar

Correct Answer: (b) Halebid and Belur

Solution:The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebid.

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

List-I	List-II
(a) The Harappan civilization	Painted Greyware
(b) The Kushans	Gandhra School of Art
(c) The Mughals	Ajanta Paintings
(d) The Marathas	Pahari 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.

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

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

(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

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.

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

(a) Aditya-I
(b) Rajaraja-I
(c) Rajendra
(d) Vijayalaya

Correct Answer: (c) Rajendra

Solution:In 1017, Rajendra conquered Ceylon (Srilanka). Earlier Rajaraja I conquered only half of it.

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

(a) Parsva
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Sudraka
(d) Vasumitra

Correct Answer: (d) Vasumitra

Solution:Vasumitra and Ashavaghosh together presided over the fourth council. In this council Buddhists were divided into Mahayanists and Hinayanists.

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

(a) Cow
(b) Elephant
(c) Rhinoceros
(d) Tiger

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.

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. Lothal	1. Ploughed field
B. Kalibangan	2. Dockyard
C. Dholavira	3. Terrcotta replica of a plough
D. Banawali	4. Aninscriptioncomprising ten large sized signs of the Harappan script

Codes:

	A	B	C	D
(a)	1	2	3	4
(b)	2	1	4	3
(c)	1	2	4	3
(d)	2	1	3	4