Ancient Literature and Litterateur (Part-I)

Total Questions: 40

21. In which epic it was told "what is here is also found elsewhere, but if not here is found nowhere else - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (b) Mahabharata
Solution:The above-statement is mentioned in epic Mahabharata. Mahabharata, one of the two Sanskrit epic poems of ancient India (the other being the Ramayana).

The Mahabharata is an important source of information on the development of Hinduism between 400 bce and 200 ce and is regarded by Hindus as both a text about dharma (Hindu moral law) and a history.

Appearing in its present form about 400 ce, the Mahabharata consists of a mass of mythological and didactic material arranged around a central heroic narrative that tells of the struggle for sovereignty between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas (sons of Dhritarashtra, the descendant of Kuru) and the Pandavas (sons of Pandu).

22. Which ancient Indian book has been translated into 15 (fifteen) Indian and 40 (forty) foreign language ? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010, R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (b) Panchatantra
Solution:Panchatantra is a collection of Indian animal fables which has had extensive circulation both in the country of its origin as well as world-wide.

It has been translated into 15 Indian and 40 foreign languages. It was compilation attributed to Pandit Vishnu Sharma. In the Mughal era, it was translated by Abul Fazl under the name of Ayar-e-danish.

23. 'Panchatantra' was originally written by - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (b) Vishnu Sharma
Solution:Panchatantra is a collection of Indian animal fables which has had extensive circulation both in the country of its origin as well as world-wide. It has been translated into 15 Indian and 40 foreign languages.

It was compilation attributed to Pandit Vishnu Sharma. In the Mughal era, it was translated by Abul Fazl under the name of Ayar-e-danish.

24. Match the List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists : [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2003]

List-IList-II
A. Sarvavarma1. Mitakshara
B. Sudraka2. Rajtrangini
C. Vigyaneshwara3. Mrichchhakatikam
D. Kalhana4. Katantra

Code :

ABCD
(a)3421
(b)4312
(c)2143
(d)4213
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:The correctly matched order is :
List-IList-II
A. SarvavarmaKatantra
B. SudrakaMrichchhakatikam
C. VigyaneshwaraMitakshara
D. KalhanaRajtarangini

25. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the code give below.

Correct Answer: (b) 2 Only
Solution:Mitakshara is a vivarti on the Yajnavalkya smriti, written by Viknaneshvara. Dayabhaga is a Hindu law treatise written by Jimutavahana. These treatise deal with the laws of inheritence. Hence statement (1) is wrong.

In Mirakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.

Hence statement (2) is right. Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family. While Dayabhag only deals with matters related to the property held by male members of a family. So, statement (3) is also wrong.

26. Who of the following is especially known for his contribution in the field of Algebra ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre), U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]

Correct Answer: (c) Bhaskar
Solution:Bhaskaracharya is also known as Bhaskara-II represents a significant contribution to mathematical and astronomical knowledge in the 12ᵗʰ century. There are six well-known works of Bhaskaracharya his book 'Siddhantasiromani', has four parts Lilavati, Bijaganita (Algebra), Ganitadhyaya and Goladhyay.

27. The author of 'Lilavati', Bhaskar-II was : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Mathematician
Solution:Bhaskaracharya is also known as Bhaskara-II represents a significant contribution to mathematical and astronomical knowledge in the 12ᵗʰ century. There are six well-known works of Bhaskaracharya his book 'Siddhantasiromani', has four parts Lilavati, Bijaganita (Algebra), Ganitadhyaya and Goladhyay.

28. 'Lilavati' a treatise on Mathematics, was written by - [Uttarakhand P.C.S. 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) Bhaskaracharya
Solution:Bhaskaracharya is also known as Bhaskara-II represents a significant contribution to mathematical and astronomical knowledge in the 12ᵗʰ century. There are six well-known works of Bhaskaracharya his book 'Siddhantasiromani', has four parts Lilavati, Bijaganita (Algebra), Ganitadhyaya and Goladhyay.

29. Aryabhatta was - [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Indian Mathematician and Astronomer
Solution:Aryabhatta was a renowned mathematician and astronomer of ancient India. One of his major works was Aryabhatiya. The book deals with many topics like astronomy, spherical trigonometry, arithmetic. algebra and plane trigonometry.

In the field of astronomy, Aryabhatta was the pioneer to infer that the earth is spherical, and it rotates on its axis around the sum. He is also considered to be the father of Trignometry.

30. Which one of the following Indian Mathematician invented decimal place value ? [U.P.P.C.S. (R.I.) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) Aryabhatta
Solution:Aryabhatta, and Indian mathematician discovered decimal place.