Ancient History (Part-III)

Total Questions: 54

21. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas"? [2020-11]

Correct Answer: (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
Solution:Bodhisattava are part of the Mahayana/Vajrayana Tradition. They are mentioned in the Mahayana literature called as the Vaipulya Sutra- written in Sanskrit Inside the Vaipulya Sutra- Prajna Paramita are mentioned.

A Bodhisattva (Pali: bodhisatta) is an individual who has achieved Enlightenment or Buddhahood but vows to return to the cycle of saṃsāra (worldly existence) to assist all sentient beings in attaining Buddhahood. This concept, central to Mahayana Buddhism, emphasises universal compassion and selfless dedication to the liberation of all beings.

The term "bodhisattva," meaning "Buddha-to-be," is significant in Buddhist philosophy. The concept of the bodhisattva, along with that of the Buddha and the chakravartin(universal ruler), existed in India before Gautama Buddha's time.

22. Withreference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga

2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana

3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 3 only
Solution:Statement 2- Incorrect because Amarsimha belonged to the Court of Chandra Gupta- II (he was one of the navratna). Thus, by elimination we are left with correct answer C.
Statement 3- Correct because Kalidasa belonged to the Court of Chandra Gupta- II (he was one of the Navratna).
Statement 1- Incorrect because Panini belonged to the 5-6th Century BCE Period- he wrote Astdhyayi, where as Pushyamitra Sunga belonged to the Post Mauryan Period- 2nd Century BCE-he came to power after killing last Mauryan King- Brihadratha.

23. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.

2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.

3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:Fourth Council convened in Kashmir under the patronage of Kanishka. It resulted into division of all the Buddhists into two major sects
Sarvastivadins (popular in Kashmir and Mathura regions) and Mahasanghikas together forming the Mahayanists (followers of the Greater Vehicle),
Sthaviravadins and others forming the Hinayanists (followers of the Lesser Vehicle);
Thus, Sthaviravadins is not part of Mahayana. So, #1 wrong. The Mahasanghikas gave rise to the following sects: 1. Ekavyaharikas 2. Lokottaravadins 3. Kukkutikas 4. Bahusrutiyas 5. Prajnapativadins 6. Chaitya-sailas 7. Apara-sailas 8. Uttara-sailas. So, #2 is right, hence answer "b".

24. Consider the following events in the history of India: [2020-11]

1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja

2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman - I

3. Establishment of Chola Parantaka-1

4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

Correct Answer: (c) 2-4-1-3
Solution:
  • Mahendra Varman-I (590-630 CE)
  • Gopala (750 CE)
  • King Bhoja- Pratihara(836-885 CE)
  • Prantaka-1 Chola (907-953 CE)

25. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period? [2020-11]

Correct Answer: (c) A bill of exchange
Solution:Hundi is a note recording a deposit made by a person. The amount deposited can be claimed in another place by presenting the record of the deposit.

Harsha Vardhan
Harsha Vardhan is one of the most popular kings in the ancient history of India. He was known for his territorial supremacy, public welfare, and religious tolerance. He was a great patron of arts, literature, and learning; he built temples and monasteries across North India. Harsha’s empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bangladesh to Nepal with its capital at Kannauj or Kanauj near modern-day Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP). He ruled over the entire country except for some parts of South India which were under Chalukyas of Badami. Harsha created a perfect government called the Pragjyotisha-Naraka [Assam] system that gave everyone, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion, the same opportunities. His government-issued coins (gold and copper) mentioned the name of Buddha.

26. With reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denote [12020-11]

Correct Answer: (a) measurement of land
Solution:
  • Measurement of Land different terms used during Gupta Age-mentioned in different inscriptions-
  • Kulyavapa, Dronavapa, Adhavapa And Pataka from Bengal,
  • Nivartana And Hhumi from central India.
  • Nivartana And Padavarta from western India

27. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?: "Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely." [2020-11]

Correct Answer: (a) Ashoka
Solution:Ashoka's Dhamma- Always talked about Tolerance among all sects.

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.

28. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2020-11]

List-I (Famous Place)List-II (Present State)
1. BhilsaMadhya Pradesh
2. DwarasamudraMaharashtra
3. GirinagarGujarat
4. SthaneshwaraUttar Pradesh

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Mapping Question
1. Bhilsa- Madhya Pradesh- Correct- Known as Vidisha, main centre of the Sunga dynasty & Udaigiri caves in Madhya Pradesh (not to be confused with Udaigiri-Odisha)
2. Girinagar- Gujarat- Correct
3. Sthaneshwara- Uttarpradesh- Incorrect. Sthaneshwara-located in Harayana (not in Uttarpradesh) Main seat of the Pushyabhutidyansty- Harshavardhan (606-647CE) originally belonged to Sthaneshwara, who later on shifted the capital at Kannauj
4. Dwarsamudra- Maharashtra- Incorrect- Hoysala dynasty used to rule from Dwarsamudra- also known as Halebid located in Karnataka

29. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (a) ports handling foreign trade
Solution:

During the Gupta dynasty, these towns were well-known ports that played a significant role in foreign trade. Chaul was a prominent port on the western coast of India, facilitating trade with the Roman Empire and other regions. In the Andhra region, ports like Kadura and Ghantasala were actively involved in maritime trade, contributing to the region's economic prosperity. Hence, the correct answer is ports handling foreign trade.

Other Notable Ports of the Period: In addition to Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul, other significant ancient ports included Kaveripattanam (Puhar) and Tondi in the Pandya region. Merchants from various regions engaged in trade activities at sea ports like Mamallapuram, Arikamedu, Bharuch, Calicut, Lothal, Muziris, and Poompuhar.

30. With reference to cultural history of India consider the following pairs: [2020-11]

List-IList-II
1. ParivrajakaRenunciant and Wanderer
2. ShramanaPriest with a high status
3. UpasakaLay follower of buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Solution:During Vedic age, there was a lot of emphasis on rituals and sacrifices. This type of excessive ritualism produced a natural reaction in the form of Sramana religion, which protested against the divine origin of the Vedas and efficacy of the sacrifices. Sramanas were recruited from all people irrespective of caste and creed.

Their teachers were anti-Vedic and anti-Brahmanic and they challenged Vedic learning and Vedic rituals. So, #2 is wrong, By elimination we are left with correct answer "b" Sree Narayana Guru had become a 'Parivrajaka' (one who wanders from place to place in quest of Truth), so, #1 is correct.

The earliest instances of conflict between Saivism and Vaishnavism on the one hand and the Sramanic sects of Buddhism and Jainism on the other hand occurred during the Pallava period.