Ancient History (Part-III)

Total Questions: 54

1. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? [2014-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Lokayata and Kapalika
Solution:Lokayata and Kapalika do not form of Six system of Indian philosophy
Six system of Indian philosophy are
SamkhyaPrakriti and Purush
YogaReleasing Puresh from Parkriti
NyayaLogical thinking
VaisheshikaRealistic and objective philosophy of universe
MimamsaAnalyzing Samhita and Brahmana portion of Veda.
VedantaIt is the climax of Indian Phylosphy

2. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from [2014-11]

Correct Answer: (d) Mundaka Upanishad
Solution:The words Satyameva Jayate came from Mundaka Upanishad, meaning "Truth Alone Triumphs'.

3. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? [2014-11]

1. Avanti

2. Gandhara

3. Kosala

4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only
Solution:Buddh born in Lumbini, in Kosala kingdom.Buddh died in Kusinara, in Magadha kingdom. Avanti lay outside the area visited by buddha, and was converted to his teaching by his disciple Mahakaccana. Gandhara is western part of Pakistan & Afghanistan and Buddha never went to Pakistan.

4. With reference to the art and archaeo-logical history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? [2015-11]

Correct Answer: (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
Solution:Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was built during the reign of Ashoka in 250 BC. lingaraja Temple at Bhubneshwar was built by Yayati (1025-1040). Rock-cut monuments at Mahabalipuram were built during 7th-8th century AD during the reign of Pallavas. Varaha Image at Udaygiri was built by Chandragupta II of Gupta Empire.

5. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty? [2016-11]

Correct Answer: (b) Malavikagnirnitra
Solution:The Malavikagnimitra is a Sanskrit play by Kalidas. The play tells the love story of Agnimitra, the Shunga Emperor. He falls in love with the picture of an exiled servant girl named Malavika.

6. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs : [2016-11]

Term Description
(1) EripattiLand, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
(2) TaniyursVillages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
(3) GhatikasColleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Solution:Donated by individuals, the revenue from this land was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank. Occasionally a very large village would be administered as a single unit and this was called Taniyur.
Ref: A History of India by Romila Thapar.

7. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: [2017-11]

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.

2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Sautrantikas and Sammtiyas as Buddhism sects. So first statement is wrong.
And Sarvastivadin sect of Buddhism believes that all things exist, and exist continuously, in the past and the future as well as in the present. So second statement is right.

8. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at : [2017-11]

Correct Answer: (a) Ajanta
Solution:New NCERT, Std. 11. An Introduction to Indian Art (Page 54 shows big photo with caption: Padmapaniboddhisattva at ajanta Cave no. 1)

9. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? [2017-11]

1. Arasavalli

2. Amarakantak

3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Andhra Pradesh state Govt. website says Arasavalli in Srikakulam district has sun temple. So 1 is right.
Sri Omkareshwar temple in Mysore is for Lord Shiva and it's not a Sun Temple.
Amarakantak in Madhya Pradesh has temples, but not any Sun temple. So #3 is wrong. Hence, by elimination, answer "a" only 1.

10. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2017-11]

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:NEW NCERT Class 12 history, Ch. 1: All the gold jewelry found at Harappan sites was recovered from hoards. So, second statement is wrong, which eliminated b and d. But then depending on which history book you refer, Harappans were aware or unaware about the horses. So the experts were divided between option a and option c. UPSC chose 'c' as the official answer- meaning Harappans did not know about the horses.