NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam December-2023 ARCHAEOLOGY

Total Questions: 100

91. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions.

Communication skills of a particular group can clearly be taken to have been existing right since the beginning of permanent life of human beings in succession of the evolution of human civilisation; when human beings express their feelings through writing. In India we find evidence of the art of writing existing in the Harappan civilization, but there is a huge void in the contemporary history attributed to its being undeciphered. Some evidence of writing in chalcolithic cultures and on potsherds of megalithic monuments are found, which have not been considered as evidence of writing by some palaeographers. Metal box inscription of Piparahwa, bronze plate inscription of Sohgauva and rock flake inscription of Mahasthan have been considered earlier to the Ashokan inscriptions.

Piparahva metal box inscription has been taken to be the oldest inscription:

Correct Answer: B. On the basis of absence of Dirgha Swaras
Solution:

The Piparahva metal box inscription has been considered to be one of the oldest inscriptions based on certain linguistic characteristics, such as the absence of Dirgha Swaras (long vowels). This linguistic feature helps in dating the inscription and differentiating it from later developments where long vowels became more prevalent.

92. In which of the following records (inscriptors) do we find mention of multistory buildings.

Correct Answer: B. Sohgaura copper plate inscription
Solution:

The Sohgaura copper plate inscription is known for its mention of multistory buildings, which is significant in understanding the urban planning and architectural complexities of the time. This inscription provides valuable insight into the level of development and organization within the urban settlements of that era.

93. Which of the following archaeological sites is located in India at present?

Correct Answer: D. Kalasi
Solution:

Kalasi is the archaeological site mentioned that is located in India at present. It is one of the sites where Ashokan edicts are found, which are key sources of information about the Mauryan empire and its administration under Emperor Ashoka.

94. Currently Piparahva is located in:

Correct Answer: C. Siddharth Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh
Solution:

Currently, Piparahva is located in the Siddharth Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. This site is significant archaeologically due to the findings related to early historical periods, including the metal box inscription which provides insights into the script and language used during that time.

95. In which of the following texts do we find mention of the term 'Lipi' (Script) for the first time?

Correct Answer: C. Ashtadhyayi
Solution:

The term 'Lipi' (Script) is found for the first time in the Ashtadhyayi, the ancient grammatical treatise by the scholar Panini. This work is foundational in the study of Sanskrit grammar and provides critical references to various cultural and linguistic elements of the time, including the use of scripts.

96. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions.

Right since beginning India had been connected with the rest of the world through commercial activities. One finds sufficient evidence of it in the Harappan civilization.

India was actively engaged in commercial dealings with the rest of the world which finds adequate mention in the contemporary and the latter literacy accounts. The remains obtained from archaeological excavations also corroborate the said facts. Mathura, Peshavar, Ujjaini, Kaushambi and Pataliputra were the major towns of this period as an evidence of the art of writing by some of the paleographists.

Inscriptions on metal-box, writings on copper plates and rocks edicts obtained from piparahva, Sohgaura and Mahasthan have been considered to be dating back to pre Ashoka period inscriptions.

Which of the following commodities were not included in the goods exported from India to South East Asia?

Correct Answer: C. Camphor
Solution:

Camphor was not included in the goods exported from India to Southeast Asia. Items like cotton textiles and pottery were key exports from ancient India, reflecting the region's well-developed manufacturing and artisan skills. Camphor, on the other hand, was historically sourced from Southeast Asia itself and imported into India among other regions, rather than being an export commodity from India to those areas.

97. Which of the following towns was not existing in the mid Gangetic plains during 200 BC to 300 AD?

Correct Answer: B. Mahoday Nagar
Solution:

Mahoday Nagar was not an existing town in the mid Gangetic plains during 200 BC to 300 AD. The other towns listed, Mathura, Kaushambi, and Pataliputra, were major urban centers during this period, each playing significant roles in trade, politics, and culture in ancient India. Mahoday Nagar does not appear in historical records as a notable location from this time.

98. Which of the following ancient ports was not located on the eastern coast?

Correct Answer: D. Koddamnal
Solution:

Koddamnal was not located on the eastern coast of India; it is situated inland. Arikamedu, Kaveri pattanam, and Alagan Kalam, however, were known ancient ports located on the eastern coast of India, contributing to maritime trade across the Bay of Bengal and with the broader Indian Ocean world.

99. Which of the following was a port (harbour) town?

Correct Answer: C. Kalliena
Solution:

Kalliena, also known as Kalyan, was a historical port town. It served as a significant maritime hub on the western coast of India, facilitating trade across the Arabian Sea. This port was instrumental in connecting India with regions in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond during various periods of history.

100. From which one of the following Mesopotamian cities, seals of Harappan civilization have not been reported?

Correct Answer: D. Magan
Solution:

Magan (also identified with the ancient region of Oman) is not a Mesopotamian city and, therefore, seals of the Harappan civilization have not been reported from there. It refers to a region involved in the ancient trade networks but is distinct from Mesopotamian cities such as Nippur, where Harappan seals were indeed found, indicating active trade and cultural exchanges between the Indus Valley Civilization and Mesopotamia.