Post-Mauryan Period (Part-I)

11. Which of following dynasty empire was expanded even outside of India ? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2006]

(a) Gupta dynasty
(b) Maurya dynasy
(c) Kushan dynasty
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) Maurya dynasy

Solution:The border of the empire of Kushana Dynasty was spread outside of India. Kanishka was a great ruler of Kushana dynasty whose empire was expanded over northern Turpan of China and Kashmir to Vindhya hill (south) and Northern Afghanistan (west) to eastern U.P and Bihar. Maurya empire was first pan India empire at its height, it streched over parts of modern Iran and almost entire Indian subcontinent barring only southern peninsula.

12. The institution of child marriage started in which period ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) (Re-exam) 2000]

(a) Maurya period
(b) Kushan period
(c) Gupta period
(d) In the time of Harshavardhan

Correct Answer: (b) Kushan period

Solution:The practice of child marriage started in Kushana Period (1st century). The abolition of 'Upanayana' in females and the custom of child marriage brought them to the lowest stage of society. The age between 8-10 years was considered to be best for girl marriage.

13. Sixteen coins of King Menander have been found from which of the following sites ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Bairat
(b) Nagari
(c) Rairh
(d) Nagar

Correct Answer: (a) Bairat

Solution:Sixteen coins of King Menander have been found from Bairat.

14. Who renovated Sudarshan lake without using forced labour ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusar
(c) Ashoka
(d) Rudradaman-I

Correct Answer: (d) Rudradaman-I

Solution:The rock edict of Rudradaman-I at Junagadh (Gujarat). Tells about the Sudarshan Lake, which was built originally by the great Maurya Emperor Chandragupt Mourya's Western Province governor Pushyagupt. It was Rudradaman-I, who renovated Sudarshan Lake without using forced labour.

15. According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit, composed around second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir, was repaired by [68ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (c) Rudradaman

Solution:Junagadh inscription written in Sanskrit language, composed around second century CE credits Rudradaman-I for repairment of Sudarshan Lake which was an artificial reservoir constructed by Chandragupta Maurya.

16. In which of the following metals the Karddamaka Kshatrapas issued and very rare coins ? [U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Copper
(b) Silver
(c) Potin
(d) Gold

Correct Answer: (a) Copper

Solution:Karddamaka ruler's coinage can be categorised into two categories. 1st are those silver coins, which were quite frequent during the kshatrapas rule. 2nd are potin coins. Karddamaka ruler Chastana issued both silver & copper coin. Question is asked about rare coins, so correct answer will be option (a) copper, as copper coins were quite rare during Karddamaka rulers reign.

17. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer fro the codes given below : [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]

List-I	List-II
A. Demetrius	1. Parthian
B. Rudradaman	2. Kushana
C. Gondophernes	3. Indo-Greek
D. Vim	4. Sythean

Codes :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	1	3	2	4
(b)	4	3	1	2
(c)	3	4	1	2
(d)	1	2	3	4

Correct Answer: (c)

Solution:The correctly matched list is as follows -

List-I	List-II
A. Demetrius	Indo-Greek
B. Rudradaman	Scythians
C. Gondophernes	Parthian
D. Vim	Kushana

18. With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Sakas-Kushans-Greeks
(b) Greeks-sakas-Kushans
(c) Sakas-Greeks-Kushans
(d) Greeks-Kushans-Sakas

Correct Answer: (b) Greeks-sakas-Kushans

Solution:Correct order is : Greeks-sakas-Kushans

19. Which one of the following will be the year of Saka Samvat in December, 2009. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

(a) 1931
(b) 1952
(c) 2066
(d) 2087

Correct Answer: (a) 1931

Solution:Saka Samvat has been adopted as the national calendar in India It started in 78 AD. So in December 2009 according to Saka Samvat 2009-78 = 1931 will be the year of Saka Samvat.

20. Consider the following name of contemporaries of Kanishka and select the correct answer fro codes given below : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]

(i) Ashvaghosha
(ii) Vasumitra
(iii) Kalidas
(iv) Kamban
Code :

(a) i and iv
(b) ii and iii
(c) i and ii
(d) All of these

Correct Answer: (c) i and ii

Solution:Ashvaghosha was the poet laureate of Kanishka, whose major compositions were Saundaranand, Buddhacharita and Sariputraprakaran. Vasumitra was also a dependent poet of Kalidas was related to the Gupta period and Kamban was not contemporary of Kanishka.