NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam JUNE-2025 ARCHAEOLOGY

The inscriptions that indicate Vaishnavism are the Besnagar and Hathibada inscriptions.
• Besnagar Inscription (Heliodorus Pillar): Dedicated to Vasudeva, a form of Vishnu, by the Indo-Greek ambassador Heliodorus - one of the earliest direct evidences of Vaishnavism.
• Hathibada Inscription (Nagari, Rajasthan): Records the construction of a Vishnu temple and explicitly refers to Bhagavata worship.
The correct option is 3: B and C only.

The archaeological site Bhagwanpura, located in Haryana, represents a transitional phase between the Late Harappan and Painted Grey Ware (PGW) cultures.
It was discovered and excavated by R.S. Bisht and Jagat Pati Joshi, revealing evidence of continuity between Harappan and early Vedic cultures.
The correct option is 4: B and C only.

The Rampurva Ashokan pillars are famous for their distinctive bull and lion finials.
• One pillar at Rampurva has a bull capital, a superb example of Mauryan polish.
• Another pillar fragment from the same site bears a lion capital.
Hence, both animal motifs are associated with the site.
The correct option is 4: A and B only.

F.R. Allchin (Frank Raymond Allchin) was a prominent British archaeologist known for his research on the pre-history and early history of South Asia. He, along with his wife Bridget Allchin, conducted extensive excavations in the Deccan region. Among his important works are "Piklihal Excavation" (1959) and "Utnur Excavation" (1960), which documented Neolithic
and Chalcolithic cultures in Karnataka. These studies contributed greatly to understanding South India's early farming communities. Theother words-"Ashmound Excavation at Kupgal" and "Investigation into the Neolithic Culture of the Shorapur Doab"-were authored by other archaeologists such as R. Subbarao and colleagues, not F.R. Allchin.

Colin Mackenzie, the first Surveyor General of India, conducted early surveys of pre-historic sites in southern India during the early 19th century. In Karnataka, he documented several Neolithic ashmounds, including Budibetta and Budihal. These ashmounds are large mounds of burnt cattle dung and bones, associated with ritual and domestic practices of Neolithic pastoral communities.
Sites like Utnur and Callipiliar were later explored in detail by archaeologists such as F.R. Allchin and Bridget Allchin, but Mackenzie's original
records mention primarily Budibetta and Budihal. His surveys were foundational in recognizing South India's pre-historic cultural landscape.

The Laxmi type of coins were issued by several Early Medieval rulers who adopted the image of Goddess Lakshmi due to her association with
prosperity and legitimacy.
• Gangeyadeva (Kalachuri ruler): issued coins depicting Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus.
• Govinda Chandra Gahadaval: issued a well-known Lakshmi type of coin showing the goddess seated, holding lotus stalks.
• Muhammad Bin Sam (Shihabuddin): after his conquest of North India, imitated these Lakshmi coins to facilitate local acceptance of his currency.
The correct option is 3: A, B and C only.

The evidence of gold jewellery in the Harappan Civilization has been found from multiple sites:
• Allahdino: gold beads and ornaments found.
• Harappa: discovery of gold ornaments such as beads and pendants.
• Mohenjo-daro: yielded gold necklaces, bangles, and other ornaments.
• Mandi: yielded traces of gold ornaments as well.
The correct option is 4: A, B, C and D.

Among the Gupta rulers, the one who issued coins of gold, silver, copper, and lead was Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
He is noted for the widest variety of metallic issues among the Guptas, including:
• Gold coins (various types like Archer, Horseman, Tiger-slayer).
• Silver coins (especially in western India).
• Copper and lead coins found in limited quantities.
The correct option is 2: B and C only. (since Kumaragupta I also issued coins in gold, silver, and copper, though not in lead).

Among the temples of Bhubaneswar, those constructed by Queens include:
A. Brahmesvara Temple: built by Queen Kolavati Devi, wife of King Udyota Kesari (11th century CE).
C. Anant-Vasudeva Temple: built by Queen Chiladevi, daughter of Anangabhima Deva III (13th century CE).
The correct option is 3: A and C only.

In the Khajuraho group of temples, the Nirandhara type refers to temples without a circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha) around the sanctum. The Adinatha Temple (Jain group) and the Jagadambi Temple (Western group) belong to this architectural type.
The correct option is 1: A and B only.