Post-Mauryan Period (Part-I)

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

(a) Strato-II
(b) Strato-I
(c) Demetrius
(d) Menander

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]

(a) Havishka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Agathocles

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]

(a) Bimbisara
(b) Gautama Buddha
(c) Milinda
(d) Prasenjit

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]

(a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar
(b) Ashoka
(c) Rajendra I
(d) None of the above

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]

(a) Junagadh
(b) Bhitari
(c) Nasik
(d) Sanchi

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]

(a) Satvahana
(b) Kushana
(c) Kanva
(d) Gupta

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]

(a) Satvahana
(b) Pallava
(c) Chola
(d) Chalukya

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]

(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pandya
(d) Satavahana

Correct Answer: (d) Satavahana

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

(a) Pan Chao
(b) Ban Yong
(c) She Huang Ti
(d) Ho-Ti

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.