Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (Part-III)

Total Questions: 40

1. Indian maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with south-East across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations? [I.A.S. (Pe) 2011]

(a) As compared to other countries, India had a better shipbuilding technology in ancient and medieval times
(b) The rulers of Southern India always patronized traders, brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context
(c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal Facilitated sea voyages
(d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context

Correct Answer: (c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal Facilitated sea voyages

Solution:India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with South East Asia across the Bay of Bengal, as the monsoon winds originated from the Bay of Bengal facilitated the cruise, which in turn enhanced trade and cultural contacts. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

2. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy which of the following statement is/are correct ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the state, and the King was the chief administrative authority on them.
2. The wages, rules of work, standard and prices were fixed by the guild.
3. The guild judicial powers over its members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only

Solution:Guilds were very important in the economy of ancient India. These organizations were established by merchants for the proper regulation of their trade. Guilds had the judicial power of their members and also had the power to ensure the salary, rules of Job, standards and prices. Every guild had its head without any intervention by the kingdom. It was also important for governing the local bodies.

3. Centers located in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan and Tamil which of the following : [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2010]

(a) Textile manufacture
(b) Gems and precious stones
(c) Handicrafts
(d) Opium cultivation

Correct Answer: (a) Textile manufacture

Solution:Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan and Tamil Nadu were famous for the textile manufacturing industry. Thus, option (a) is the correct answer. Taxtile Industry was a prime industry of the Gupta period.

4. In ancient period, which Varna was also called as 'Sarthavaha' ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Brahmana
(b) Kshatriya
(c) Vaishya
(d) Shudra

Correct Answer: (c) Vaishya

Solution:Proper rules of conduct for trade were prescribed by the head of trade guilds, known as Sarthavaha or Srenipramukh. The rules were called Samay and Srenidharma. Hence, the term Sarthavaha is associated with the Vaishya.

5. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period ? [65ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Sushruta
(b) Saumilla
(c) Shudraka
(d) Shaunaka
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Solution:Sushruta is called the father of surgery. He was a resident of Kashi. It is believed that his period was around 600 BC. Shaunak was the sage of the Rigveda. Shudraka was a dramaist of the Gupta period (literateur). Saumill is a playwright of Gupta period who has been remembered by Kalidasa with language and poetry. Thus, none of the above had worked in the field of medicine during the Gupta period. Althought Bihar Public Service Commission in its initial answer sheet has considered the correct answer as option (a). Since the Gupta period begins with 275-AD (Sri Gupta), which is about 875 years later than the valid period of Sushruta (usually 600 BC), it is not reasonable to consider Sushruta a contemporary of the Gupta period.

6. Who among the following is known for his Ayurvedic thematic composition during Gupta period ? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2002, I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Saumilla
(b) Shudraka
(c) Shunaka
(d) Sushruta

Correct Answer: (d) Sushruta

7. Who among the following is not associated with medicine in ancient India ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

(a) Dhanvantari
(b) Bhaskaracharya
(c) Charaka
(d) Susruta

Correct Answer: (b) Bhaskaracharya

Solution:Dhanvantari was one of the Navratnas of Chandragupta II He was a master in Ayurveda. Charaka and Susruta were also great scholars of Ayurveda. Charak was the physician of Kanishka who wrote 'Charaka Samhita' while Bhaskaracharya was a great astronomer and mathematician. He composed "Siddhanta Shiromani' and 'Lilavati' based on astronomy and mathematics.

8. 'Lilavati' was written by : [U.P.P.C.S. (GIC) 2017]

(a) Mahaviracharya
(b) Hemchandraacharya
(c) Bhaskaracharya
(d) Kalkacharya

Correct Answer: (c) Bhaskaracharya

Solution:Bhaskarcharya (Bhaskara-II) wrote Lilavati.

9. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by AD first century.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of AD third century.
3. The concept of the sine of an angle was known in AD fifth century.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in AD seventh century.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4

Solution:The ancient age is notable for the scientific developments. Many surgical instruments were used in 1st century AD, but the transplant of human internal organs was not possible till then. Development in maths is notable in the Gupta period Sine, cosine, inverse sine was known in 5 century AD. These are mentioned in 'Surya Sıddhantha' and 'Aryabhatiya." Brahmagupta described cyclic quadrilateral in 700 AD Thus, statement 1, 3 and 4 are correct.

10. Who is the propounder of Nyaya Philosophy ? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Gautam
(b) Kapil
(c) Shamkara
(d) Vallabha

Correct Answer: (a) Gautam

Solution:'Nyaya Darshan' was propagated by Gautama who is also known as 'Akshapada.' The word 'Nyaya' means decision or logic. Nyaya Darshan recognizes the existence of 16 substances or elements. The original text of Nyaya Darshan is 'Nyayasutra' which is the masterpiece of Gautama. Maharshi Kapila propagated "Sankhya Darshan' while Jaimini propagated 'Poorva Mimansa.'

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