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'.

Upanishads, derived from the Sanskrit terms meaning "to sit down near" the teacher, are foundational texts in Indian philosophy, composed between 700 B.C.E. and 300 B.C.E. They mark a shift from Vedic rituals to profound philosophical inquiry, exploring concepts such as the self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman).

Among over 200 Upanishads, the Muktika Canon identifies 108 significant texts, with key works like the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads providing deep spiritual insights. These texts greatly influenced Hindu philosophy, giving rise to schools such as Advaita and Dvaita, and emphasising knowledge over ritualistic practices.

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.

Gautam Buddha

  • Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha.
  • Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha at Lumbini near Kapilavastu (in present Nepal) in 566 BC.
  • He was the son of Suddhodhana and Mahamaya. Suddhodhana was the chief of the Sakya clan. Due to this, Buddha was also known as ‘Sakyamuni’.
  • His mother died either giving birth to him or after seven days. Siddhartha was brought up by his maternal aunt, Prajapati Gautami. This gave him the name ‘Gautama’.
  • He was married to Yashodhara and had a son, Rahula.
  • He left his home at the age of 29 to become an ascetic. This event is called Mahabhinishkramana.
  • The idea of renunciation occurred to the Buddha after he saw four different states of man – sick man, old man, corpse and ascetic.
  • Buddha wandered for seven years and at the age of 35 attained enlightenment at Uruvela while meditating under a Peepal tree (Fig Tree/ Ficus Religiosa) on the banks of the river Niranjana. This tree came to be known as ‘Bodhi tree’ and the place became Bodh Gaya (in Bihar).
  • He gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi. This event is called Dharmachakra Pravartana/ Dhammachakkappavattana.
  • He died in 483 BC under a Sal tree in Kushinagar (in UP). This event is called the Mahaparinirvana.
  • The term ‘Buddha’ means ‘enlightened one’.
  • Important contemporaries of Buddha were Mahavira Jaina, Kings Prasenjit, Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.

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.

Malavikagnimitram

  • Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram is a Sanskrit drama. It is his debut play, and it is based on several incidents during Pushyamitra Shunga's rule.
  • The narrative of Agnimitra, the Shunga Emperor at Vidisha, and his love for the lovely handmaiden of his principal queen is told in Malavikagnimitram.
  • He is smitten with a painting of Malavika, an exiled servant girl.
  • When the queen learns of her husband's love for this girl, she becomes enraged and imprisons Malavika; yet, fate has it that she is eventually revealed to be of royal origin and recognized as one of his queens.
  • The performance includes a description of Pushyamitra Shunga's Rajasuya sacrifice as well as an in-depth discussion of music and acting techniques.
  • Malavikagnimitram is no different. The smell of love pervades the narrative, and it endures the test of time.

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.
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism has its roots in India and dates back 2,500 years. Buddhists hold that enlightenment, or nirvana, can be attained by meditation, hard work both spiritual and physical and good conduct. They also hold that human life is one of suffering. The sixth century B.C. is regarded as a glorious period in history. During this century, great intellectuals such as Buddha, Mahavira, Heraclitus, Zoroaster, Confucius, and Lao Tse lived and proclaimed their beliefs. The most successful among these were Jainism and Buddhism, which had a significant impact on Indian society. Both religions emphasised and promoted nonviolence, good social behaviour, kindness, and compassion. According to these religions, True happiness is not found in materialism or the performing of rituals.

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

Correct Answer: (a) Ajanta
Solution:
  • The mural of the late 5th century Bodhisattva Padmapani may be seen in cave 1 at Ajanta monastery in central India.

This amazing mural artwork was discovered in the inside of the rock-cut Buddhist monastery of Ajanta in early mediaeval India.

Padmapani - Mural Painting

  • Padmapani, the Bodhisattva, sits among a swarm of worshipers, including princesses and commoners.
  • He stands with his attribute, a blue lotus flower, in his right hand, his long, dark hair falling below a jewelled crown.
  • The artist has given significant thought to the placement of the artwork in the cave.
  • The bodhisattva looks down at worshippers walking through the shrine's entrance on their approach to the rock-cut Buddha image in a cell at the cave's rear.

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.