Post-Mauryan Period (Part-I)

Total Questions: 40

1. Which one of the following Indo-Greek rulers issued lead coins ? [U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) Strato-II
Solution:Strato - II issued the lead coins. The tenure of this Indo-Greek ruler is considered from 25 BC to 10 AD.

2. Both Sankarshana and Vasudeva are depicted on the coins of which of the following rulers ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Agathocles
Solution:Agathocles was a Greco-Batrian king wo ruled around 190 BC - 180 BC. He held Paropamisadae which was a satraphy between Batrian and India. Little is known of him apart from an extensive coinage.

He was the first Greco-Bactrian ruler to introduce bilingual legends on his coin, primarily in Greek and Brahmi. He introduced silver coins on which both Sankarshana (Balram) and Vasudev were depicted.

3. Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (c) Milinda
Solution:Bimbisara (544-492 BC) was the actual founder of the Magadha empire, who was related to Haryanka dynasty. Prasenjit was the ruler of Kosala Mahajanapada and also the contemporary of Mahatma Buddha.

Autama Buddha poineered Buddhism. Milinda, better known as Menander, was an Indo-Greek ruler in north-western India. Thus, Bimbisara, Buddha, Prasenjit were contemporary except Milinda.

4. The earliest specimen of 'Kavya' style is found in the inscription of : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar
Solution:The Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman (130-150 AD) has been found at Girnar Hills in Gujarat. Rudradaman's inscription written in Brahmi script was the earliest ever inscription written in perfect Sanskrit language.

5. Which inscription tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I ? [53ʳᵈ to 55ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (a) Junagadh
Solution:The Junagadh inscription written in Sanskrit dated approx 150 AD credits Rudradaman-I for supporting the cultural arts and Sanskrit literature and reconstructing the dam built by the Mauryas. In fact, he repaired the embankments of the lake Sudarshana, which was constructed by the Mauryas or checking floods.

6. Which dynasty ruled over India after Shunga dynasty ? [45ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (c) Kanva
Solution:The last ruler of the Shunga emperors was Devabhuti. he was killed by his minister (Vasudeva Kanva). The Shunga dynasty was then replaced by the subsequent Kanvas. They were also Brahmin like Shunga

7. Who among the following rulers is stated as protector of 'Varna system' ? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
Solution:Gautamiputra Satakarni was a patron of Brahmanism. He did not permit intercaste marriage among the people of the established 'Four Varnas' and stopped crossbreeding. That is why he is called as the protector of the Varna System.

8. Which dynasty was most powerful after Maurya in Southern India - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (a) Satvahana
Solution:Satvahana dynasty was the most powerful after Mauryans in the South. According to Puranas, Sindhuk, Simuka or Shiprak established the Satvahana dynasty after the assassination of Kanva king Susharma.

9. Simuka was the founder of which of the following dynasties ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (d) Satavahana
Solution:Satvahana dynasty was the most powerful after Mauryans in the South. According to Puranas, Sindhuk, Simuka or Shiprak established the Satvahana dynasty after the assassination of Kanva king Susharma.

10. Which Chinese general had defeated Kanishka ? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) Pan Chao
Solution:Which to Chinese texts between 73-94 AD, Kanishka requested to marry Princess Han, but was denied. In retaliation, they marched on Pan chao with force but defeated by a smaller chinese force.