Ancient History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

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

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]

Correct Answer: (b) Dantidurga
Solution:Dantidurga, a feudatory of Chalukyas, founded the Rastrakuta empire in 753 CE (AD) with their capital at Manyakhet.
  • The Rashtrakuta Empire dominated the Deccan for almost 200 years till the end of 10th century and also controlled territories in north and south India at various points of time.
  • It was not only the most powerful polity of the time but also acted as a bridge between north and south India in economic as well as cultural matters.
  • It promoted and expanded north Indian traditions and policies in south India.
  • Significantly, India touched new heights of stability and achievements in the field of polity, economy, culture, education and religion.
  • There was no power in northern India strong enough to interfere with the affairs of the Deccan which provided an opportunity for the emergence of Rashtrakutas.

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

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.
Taxila University is a renowned ancient centre of learning that significantly contributed to education and scholarship in the region. The site’s earliest archaeological remains date back to the 5th century BC. According to the Ramayana, Taxila was founded by Bharata, the younger brother of Lord Rama.
Due to its geographical location, Taxila emerged as a centre of learning after the Persian conquests, initially beginning as a Brahmanical learning centre.
Taxila’s importance as a knowledge centre grew during the Maurya Empire and Greek rule (Indo-Greeks) in the third and second centuries BCE. It was also a prominent centre of Buddhist scholarship in the early centuries CE.

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

Correct Answer: (a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas
Solution:Alexander (Greek, 326 B.C.E.); Sakas (90 B.C.E.); Kushanas (45 С.Е.)

Indo-Greeks (Bactrian Greeks)

  • Origin: Bactrian Greeks, or descendants of Alexander’s general Seleucus Nicator’s kingdom, who settled in the region after the Mauryan Empire’s decline.
  • Period: Ruled in the northwestern part of India and modern-day Afghanistan from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century BCE.
  • Legacy: Introduced Hellenistic art, the use of gold coins, and played a role in the spread of Buddhism.

    Sakas (Indo-Scythians)

    • Origin: A nomadic Central Asian tribe who were pushed out by the Yueh-Chi.

    • Period: Began their rule in northwestern India in the 1st century BCE, after the Indo-Greeks.

    • Organization: Divided into five branches that ruled in different parts of India and Afghanistan, with a significant one in Western India.

    • Notable Figure: Rudradaman I was a famous Saka ruler known for maintaining power in Western India and commissioning the first long Sanskrit inscription.

    Kushanas

    • Origin: Succeeded the Sakas and Parthians in the 1st century CE.

    • Legacy: Extended Kushan power over Upper India and established control over the Silk Route.

    • Cultural Contributions: Patronized Gandhara art and introduced elements like the satrap system of government and possibly the use of trousers and boots.

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?

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.
Buddhism arose in the 6th century BCE in the Gangetic plain during a time of second urbanisation and social changes in India. As Buddha’s teachings resonated with people discontented with Vedic rituals and caste system, Buddhism quickly spread across northern India. Political and economic support by merchants and artisans fostered Buddhist growth. Further, under the Mauryas, Buddhism expanded both in India and outside. Doctrinal debates within Buddhism led to the emergence of major schools like Theravada and Mahayana.
Buddhism started to decline due to many socio-political factors. Its decline started with the Gupta dynasty, and by the 12th century CE, it almost disappeared in India; however, it continued to thrive in other Asian countries.

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

Correct Answer: (d) Samudragupta
Solution:It was written by Samudragupta's court poet Harisena.

Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti) - Features

  • “Prayag” refers to a place where something or someone can meet. Prayag is an ancient name for Allahabad because it is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
  • Prashasti is a eulogy that means “in praise of someone.”
  • The Allahabad Prasasti was first inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar in Kausambhi, near Allahabad.
  • It was later relocated to the Allahabad fort.
  • It is an Ashokan Stambh, but it has four different inscriptions,
  1. The standard Ashokan inscriptions in Brahmi script are found on all pillars.
  2. The Queen’s edict lauding Ashoka’s wife Kaurwaki’s charitable deeds.
  3. Inscriptions of Samudragupta (335–375 AD) written by Harisen in Sanskrit and Brahmi script. It discusses Samudragupta’s conquests and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire.
  4.  Jahangir’s Persian inscriptions.

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

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

Baudhāyana, an esteemed Indian mathematician and a Brahmin priest well-versed in the Vedas, was born circa 800 BCE and died in 740 BCE. He is renowned for originally formulating the theorem that later came to be known as Pythagoras’ Theorem. As a pioneer among Indian mathematicians, Baudhāyana introduced numerous mathematical concepts. His expertise extended beyond theoretical mathematics, as he adeptly applied his mathematical knowledge to practical problems. Notably, he was among the first to calculate the value of ‘Pi’ with precision.

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

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.

Doctrine of Syadvada and Anekantavada

Syadvada (Theory of Judgement): The Jain view that all our ordinary knowledge is necessarily partial, always relative to some particular point of view and particular aspects of objects, is known as Syadvada.
According to this concept, identity and difference must exist in reality.
Anekantavada: According to this doctrine, ultimate truth and reality is complex and has multiple aspects.
Anekantavada has also been interpreted to mean non-absolutism, intellectual ahimsa, religious pluralism, and rejection of fanaticism.

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]

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).

Bagh Caves - Features

  • The Bagh caves, like the Ajanta caves, were carved out of the perpendicular sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of the Baghani, a seasonal stream.
  • Only five of the nine caves have survived, despite their Buddhist inspiration.
  • All of them are ‘viharas,’ or monks’ resting places, with a quadrangular design. The ‘chaitya,’ or prayer hall, is a tiny chamber usually found toward the back.
  • Cave 4, also known as the Rang Mahal, is the most important of the five caves that still exist (Palace of Colors).
  • Mural Paintings are well-known in Bagh Caves. A thick mud plaster of a brownish orange colour was used to cover the walls and ceilings before painting.
  • Lime-priming was applied over the plaster, and then the paints were applied.
  • The employment of a permanent fast-drying painting medium consisting of coloured pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder media is referred to as tempera technique.
  • In various places of India, the sophisticated form of art represented in the Ajanta paintings can also be seen in surviving wall paintings and mural remnants.

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]

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.
  • Ancient mariners understood the seasonal patterns of the monsoons and used them to their advantage. The summer southwest monsoon winds would carry ships from India to Southeast Asia, while the winter northeast monsoon winds would bring them back.
  • By harnessing these reliable winds, sailors could plan voyages for maximum speed and safety, allowing them to carry large amounts of goods and people across the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal.
  • Without the facilitating force of the monsoons, these long-distance maritime journeys would have been far more hazardous and irregular. The monsoons were thus the primary natural factor that enabled India's early and sustained cultural and trade connections with Southeast Asia.