Ancient History (Part-II)

21. Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three? [2005]

(a) Bimbsara
(b) Gautama Buddha
(c) Milinda
(d) Prasenjit

Correct Answer: (c) Milinda

Solution:Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. Magdha empire came into prominence under him. He was a contemporary of the Buddha. He strengthened his position by marriage alliances. His first wife was the sister of Prasenjit (son of king of Koshala) who was also contemporary of the Buddha.

22. Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire? [2006]

(a) Amostghavarsha I
(b) Dantidurga
(c) Dhruva
(d) Krishna I

Correct Answer: (b) Dantidurga

Solution:Dantidurga, a feudatory of Chalukyas, founded the Rastrakuta empire in 753 CE (AD) with their capital at Manyakhet.

23. Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located? [2006]

(a) Indus and Jhelum
(b) Jhelum and Chenab
(c) Chenab and Ravi
(d) Ravi and Beas

Correct Answer: (a) Indus and Jhelum

Solution:Sindhu was the old name of river Indus and Vitasta was the old name of River Jhelum. In persent time Takshashila situated in Pakistan.

24. With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order? [2006]

(a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas
(b) Greeks Kushanas-Sakas
(c) Sakas-Greeks- Kushanas
(d) Sakas-Kushanas-Greeks

Correct Answer: (a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas

Solution:Alexander (Greek, 326 B.C.E.); Sakas (90 B.C.E.); Kushanas (45 С.Е.)

25. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.

2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statement(s) given above is/ are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Solution:Statement 1 is incorrect as most of the inscriptions of the Andhra Ikshvaku period record either the construction of the Buddhist viharas or the gifts made to them which shows that the Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were supporters of Buddhism.

26. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following? [2006]

(a) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Ashoka
(d) Samudragupta

Correct Answer: (d) Samudragupta

Solution:It was written by Samudragupta's court poet Harisena.

27. What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutras) relate to? [2008]

(a) Lengths of sides of a right angled triangle
(b) Calculation of the value of pi
(c) Logarithmic calculations
(d) Normal distribution curve

Correct Answer: (a) Lengths of sides of a right angled triangle

Solution:This is same as the Pythagoras theorem.

28. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following? [2009]

(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Sikkhism
(d) Vaishnavism

Correct Answer: (b) Jainism

Solution:The Jaina metaphysics is realistic and relativistic pluralism. It is called Anekantavada or the doctrine of 'mayness of reality'. Matter and spirit are regarded as separate and independent realities.

29. There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings? [2010]

(a) Bagh caves
(b) Ellora caves
(c) Lomas Rishi cave
(d) Nasik caves

Correct Answer: (a) Bagh caves

Solution:A copper plate inscription of Maharaja Subandhu, recording his donation for the repair of the vihara was found at the site of Cave 2. Though, the date of the Bagh inscription is missing, the Badwani copper plate inscription is dated in the year (Gupta era) 167 (487).

30. India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations? [2011-1]

(a) As compared to other countries, India had a better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times
(b) The rulers of southern India always partronized traders, Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context.
(c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages
(d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context

Correct Answer: (c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages

Solution:The book 'Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms', makes an indirect reference to the northeast (winter) monsoon in connection with voyage along the east coast of India which was written by Fahein, a Chinese traveller to India in 399 AD-414 AD.