Ancient History (Part-III)

Total Questions: 54

11. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? [2017-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Motupalli
Solution:Academic books on medieval history mention that Ganapati was the most powerful of Kakatiya sovereigns, Motupalli, now in Krishna district, was an important seaport in his kingdom, frequented by foreign merchants. So, "B" is the answer.
The Kakatiya Dynasty, from 1000 to 1323 AD, played a vital role in South Indian history. They initially served under the Chalukyas of Kalyani and later declared independence, establishing their kingdom between the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Their capital moved from Hanumakonda to Orugallu (Warangal). Key rulers of the dynasty expanded and fortified the kingdom. Notably, Ganapati Deva's reign brought prosperity and stability.
Rudrama Devi, a rare female ruler, maintained the kingdom's legacy through her administrative and military skills. The last ruler, Prataparudra II, faced invasions from the Delhi Sultanate, leading to the dynasty's fall in 1323 AD...

12. With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to [2018-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Jainism
Solution:Sthanakvasi don't differ much from the other Svetambara Jainas, hence now-a-days they invariably call themselves as Svetambara Sthanakvasi.
  • Jainism is an ancient religion based on the teachings of 24 Tirthankaras (or great teachers).
  • The word ‘Jain’ is derived from jina or jaina, meaning the ‘conqueror’.
  • Rishabnath (or Adinath) was the first Tirthankara and was the founder of Jainism.
  • Jainism came into prominence in the 6th century B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
  • Lord Mahavira was the 24th and the last Tirthankara.
  • Pre-Mahavira Origins: The faith predates Mahavir, with historical validation for Parsvanatha & Mahavir.

13. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world? [2018-11]

Correct Answer: (c) Maitreya
Solution:Maitreya, is the future Buddha, whose coming was said to have been prophesied by the historical Buddha and who in years to come, would purify the world with his teachings. Avalokitesvara (watchful lord), also called Padmapani (lotus-bearer), whose attribute is compassion, which reaches down even to Avichi, the lowest Buddhist purgatory. Loksesvara is also used as a synonym for Avalokitesvara.

14. Consider the following pairs Craft vs Heritage of: [2018-1]

1. Puthukkuli shawls: Tamil Nadu

2. Sujni embroidery: Maharashtra

3. Uppada Jamdani saris: Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:Sujni embroidery- Incorrect. It belongs to Bihar. Upada Jamdani Sarees Incorrect. It belongs to Andhra Pradesh.
So, by elimination, we are left with answer A: I only.

Puthukuli shawls are made by Todas of Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu. Locally called Pugur, meaning flower,
the fine and intricate Toda embroidery is done by tribal men and women on shawls. The shawl adorned
with the Toda embroidery is called Poothkuli.

15. Consider the following pairs of Tradition vs State: [2018-1]

1. Chapchar Kut festival: Mizoram

2. Khongjom Parba ballad: Manipur

3. Thang-Ta dance: Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Solution:Khongjom Parva is an important folk music from the state of Manipur. So, statement#2 is right, this eliminates A and (C) . Thang Ta is the exclusive martial dance form of Manipur. Thang means sword and Ta means spear. So, statement#3 is wrong, this eliminates (D) Therefore answer must be B: only 1 and 2.

Khongjom Parva a popular ballad genre which is a musical narration of the battle of Khongjom fought between the British army and the Manipuri resistance forces in 1891.

16. Which one of the following is not a Harappan Site? [2019-11]

Correct Answer: (c) Sohagaura
Solution:Nitinch1: Sohgaura Copper Plate: The earliest known copper-plate, known as the Sohgaura copper-plate, is a Mauryan record that mentions famine relief efforts. So it can't be a Harappan site, answer is c.
  • Harappa, a city of the IVC, existed from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Daya Ram Sahni excavated the Harappa site on the bank of the Ravi River.
  • Architecture: The town was laid out on a grid plan and had several impressive public buildings, including a granary and a citadel. The city of Harappa was divided into two parts: the citadel and the lower town.
  • Drainage: Harappa has provided evidence of elaborate drainage facilities in the Indus Valley civilisation. It was found that the street drains were made of baked bricks.
  • Pottery: Redware pottery is the most common type of pottery in Harappan cities. It features painted designs with geometric patterns such as horizontal lines, circles, pipal leaves, plants, and trees, as well as fish and peacock motifs.
  • Seal-making: There is evidence of shell-making workshops in Harappa. Seals depict various animals, such as short-horned bulls, buffalo, rhinoceros, tigers, and crocodiles.
  • Weights and measures: Scales made of shell, ivory, and copper were found in Harappa and were probably used for linear measurement.
  • Granary: The ‘granary’ was located in the citadel. It consisted of 12 units organised in 2 rows of 6 rooms, separated by a central passage.
  • Burials: There is evidence of coffin burials, which were found only in Harappa. Wooden coffins were also found at Harappa.

17. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Kanganahalli
Solution:1993: A team of archeologists surveyed Sannai, Karnataka. The most dramatic evidence came from Kanagahalli. The discoveries at the site included a broken relief sculpture showing a king and queen flanked by female attendants. An inscription in brahmi letter read "Ranyo Ashoka" (King Ashoka).

Who is Ashoka

  • Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was the third emperor of the Mauryan Empire, ruling from 268 to 232 BCE.

  • Ashoka is renowned for his profound transformation from a fierce warrior to a devout Buddhist.

  • After witnessing the immense suffering caused by his conquests, particularly the Kalinga War, Ashoka the Great embraced Buddhism and dedicated himself to spreading its teachings across Asia.

  • Ashoka promoted social welfare and issued edicts carved on pillars and rocks that outlined his policies and moral values.

  • Ashoka’s support for Buddhism and efforts to spread its message were crucial in shaping India’s cultural and religious landscape and beyond.

18. Consider the following: [2019-11]

1. Deification of the Buddha

2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas

3. Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/ are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:The Mahayana followers believe in idol or image worship of Buddha. So 1 and 3 are correct. The concept of Bodhisattva is the result of Mahayana Buddhism. So 2 is also correct.

Mahayana Buddhism

  • It means the Greater Vehicle.
  • In the first century AD, Emperor Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty is supposed to have founded the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
  • The school is more liberal, believing in Buddha's heavenly nature and the Bodhisattvas who embody Buddha Nature.
  • Spiritual upliftment is Mahayana's ultimate purpose.
  • Mahayana adherents worship Buddha in idol or image form.

19. With reference to forced labour(Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements i is correct? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
Solution:A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh, page 508:
Forced labour (Vishti) became more common than before in this Gupta period. The fact that it is mentioned along with the taxes in the land grant inscriptions suggest that Vishti was considered as source of income for the state, a sort of tax paid by the people. The fact that most of the inscriptions referring to Vishti come from Madhya Pradesh and Kathiyawar regions may suggest this practice for more prevalent in this areas. So, a is right b is wrong.

20. Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of: [2019-11]

Correct Answer: (d) Vijayanagara
Solution:Vijayanagara School: More than one mandaps were built in each temple. The central mandap came to be known as Kalyan Mandap.

Vijayanagara Empire, founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I in 1336, was a dominant Southern India empire until the late 17th century. It was ruled by four dynasties—Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu. Known for its administrative structure, the empire had a well-organized polity with governors overseeing provinces, and its economy thrived on agriculture, trade, and industry.

The empire flourished in art, literature, and architecture, with Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Tamil literature gaining prominence. The internal conflicts, succession disputes, and the Battle of Talikota in 1565 led to its decline.