Ancient History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

11. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the: [2002]

(a) occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka and two speakers one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
(b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
(c) ceremony of initiation of new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and when yellow robes are offered
(d) gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the full-moon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of the rainy season

Correct Answer: (b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season

Solution:Pavarana is a Buddhist holy day celebrated on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month. It marks the end of the month of Vassa, sometimes called "Buddhist Lent." This day marks the end of the rainy season in some Asian countries like Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism is practiced. On this day, each monk (Pali: bhikkhu) must come before the community of monks (Sangha) and atone for an offense he may have committed during the Vassa.

12. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on: [2002]

(a) a conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
(b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
(c) the story of the power struggle between two Aryan.
(d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta

Correct Answer: (d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta

Solution:The Mudrarakshasa ("The Signet of the Minister"), a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta (4th century CE) narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.

13. Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by: [2003]

(a) Pulakesin-1
(b) Pulakesin-II
(c) Vikramaditya-I
(d) Vikramaditya-II

Correct Answer: (b) Pulakesin-II

Solution:Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by Pulakesin II, the Chalukya king of Vatapi in northern Mysore.

14. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.

2. The Cholas sent an expedition against Sailendra empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Solution:The Chola kingdom of the Sangam period extended from modern Tiruchi district to southern Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was first located at Uraiyur and then shifted to Puhar. The Chola emperor launched a successful naval expedition against the sailendra kingdom. In the Battle of Venni Karaikal defeated the mighty confederacy consisting of the Cheras, Pandyas and eleven minor chieftains.

Karikala was a famous king of the Sangam Cholas. Pattinappalai portrays his early life and his military conquests.

15. Mrichchhakatika' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with: [2003]

(a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
(b) the victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India
(c) the military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta
(d) the love affairs between a Gupta king and a princess of Kamarupa

Correct Answer: (a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan

Solution:Mrichchhakatika (The Clay Court) is a Sanskrit play written by Shudraka in 2nd C BC. It is about a young man named Charudatta, and his love for Vasantasena, a rich courtesan.

16. Consider the following statements : [2003]

1. Vardhaman Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka

2. Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty

3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 2 and 3

Solution:Vardhaman Mahavira's mother, Trishala was the sister (not the daughter) of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka.

17. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.

2. The last Sunga king, Devabhutí was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne.

3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:All statements are correct. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC. The last ruler of Kanva dynasty, Susharma was deposed by the Andhras and Satavahana dynasty came into being.

18. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka.

2. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:Statement 1 is incorrect as fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka under the presidentship of Vasumitra and Ashvaghosh.

Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandra Gupta-II and not during Kanishka's reign. Statement 2 is incorrect as Harsha was not antagonistic to Buddhism when Hiuen-Tsang met him.

19. With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct? [2004]

(a) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu.
(b) The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the council held at Pataliputra.
(c) Jainismenjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharaavela in the first century BC.
(d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike the Buddhist.

Correct Answer: (c) Jainismenjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharaavela in the first century BC.

Solution:Jainism spread in South India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu (not Sthalabahu). The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Digambaras (not Shvetambaras) after the first council held at Pataliputra (modern Patna) by Sthulbahu.

20. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells? [2004]

(a) Rigveda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Atharvaveda
(d) Samaveda

Correct Answer: (c) Atharvaveda

Solution:Atharvaveda is a book of magical formula. It contains charms and spells to ward-off evil and disease.

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Ancient History (Part-II)

11. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the: [2002]

12. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on: [2002]

13. Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by: [2003]

14. Consider the following statements: [2003]

15. Mrichchhakatika' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with: [2003]

16. Consider the following statements : [2003]

17. Consider the following statements: [2003]

18. Consider the following statements: [2004]

19. With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct? [2004]

20. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells? [2004]

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