Ancient History of India

171. The following sentences describe one of the sites of the Harappan civi

The following sentences describe one of the sites of the Harappan civilization:
‘The settlement is divided into two sections, one smaller but higher and the other much larger but lower. Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel and the lower town respectively. Both were walled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations.’
Which of the following sites does it refer to ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Harappa” option2=”Mohenjodaro” option3=”Lothal” option4=”Kalibangan” correct=”option4″]

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The description of the settlement divided into a smaller, higher Citadel and a larger, lower town is characteristic of many major Harappan sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Kalibangan. However, the phrase “Both were walled” is particularly applicable to Kalibangan. While the Citadels at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were walled, their Lower Towns were not consistently or completely walled. At Kalibangan, both the Citadel (which was further divided into two parts) and the Lower Town were enclosed by fortification walls. The construction of buildings on platforms is also a common feature across these sites to protect them from floods or provide stable foundations.
– Major Harappan cities often had a bipartite division into a Citadel and a Lower Town.
– The Citadel was typically located in the western part, higher, and smaller, while the Lower Town was larger and located in the eastern part.
– The key distinguishing feature mentioned here is that *both* sections were walled.
– Kalibangan is known for having fortification walls around both the Citadel and the Lower Town.
Other sites like Lothal have a different layout, typically a single walled area divided into functional sectors. The presence of a citadel and lower town, particularly with fortification around both, is a specific architectural feature helpful in identifying the site.

172. The Harappan civilization covered an extensive area of present South A

The Harappan civilization covered an extensive area of present South Asia. The geographic space covered by this civilization included

[amp_mcq option1=”Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Northeastern frontier” option2=”Punjab, Sindh, Northwestern frontier and Kashmir” option3=”Punjab, Sindh and a part of Northwestern frontier” option4=”Punjab, Sindh, a part of Northwestern frontier, Kathiawar and a part of Ganga-Yamuna Doab” correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D. The Harappan civilization was one of the most extensive ancient civilizations, spanning across modern-day Pakistan and Northwest India. Option D provides the most comprehensive description of its geographical spread among the given choices, including core areas like Punjab and Sindh, parts of the Northwestern frontier (Balochistan), important regions in Kathiawar (Gujarat), and the easternmost extensions in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab (Western Uttar Pradesh).
The question tests knowledge of the geographical extent of the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization. Key areas included Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Major Harappan sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are in Sindh and Punjab (Pakistan), Dholavira and Lothal are in Kathiawar (Gujarat, India), Sutkagen Dor is near the Iran border (Balochistan), and Alamgirpur is in Western Uttar Pradesh. Manda in Jammu and Kashmir represents the northernmost extent, and Daimabad in Maharashtra represents the southernmost extent. Option D correctly captures several key regions defining its extensive area.

173. The cow was an important form of wealth in :

The cow was an important form of wealth in :

[amp_mcq option1=”the Rigvedic age.” option2=”the later-Vedic age.” option3=”the post-Vedic age.” option4=”the Epic age.” correct=”option1″]

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In the Rigvedic age (circa 1500-1000 BCE), society was predominantly pastoral. Cattle, especially cows, were the most important form of wealth. They were a measure of status, used in exchanges, and often the object of raids and conflicts (Gavishti). Land was not as crucial as pastoral wealth and was likely communally owned or less defined in terms of individual property rights compared to later periods.
– Rigvedic economy was primarily pastoral.
– Cattle were the main form of wealth and medium of exchange.
– Terms like ‘Gopati’ (lord of cattle) signified importance, and ‘Gavishti’ (search for cows) referred to conflict.
The Later Vedic period saw a shift towards agriculture and settled life, making land increasingly important, although cattle remained valuable. By the post-Vedic and Epic ages, agriculture and trade were well-established, leading to a more diversified understanding of wealth.

174. Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represen

Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represent the typical Nagara style ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tigawa, Madhya Pradesh” option2=”Nachna, Rajasthan” option3=”Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh” option4=”Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu” correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D) Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu.
The temple complexes at Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu were built by the Pallava dynasty and are prime examples of Dravidian style architecture. The Dravidian style is distinct from the Nagara style (Northern Indian style) primarily characterized by its vimana (pyramidal tower over the sanctum), large temple complexes with gopurams (gateway towers), mandapas, and water tanks.
Tigawa (Kankali Devi Temple), Nachna (Parvati Temple), and Deogarh (Dashavatara Temple) are all sites featuring temples from the Gupta period (4th-6th centuries CE) which are considered early examples or transitional forms of the Nagara style of temple architecture in North India.

175. Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The Ajanta cav

Which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. The Ajanta caves have been painted with scenes from Jainism.
  • 2. The crowning achievement of Ellora caves is the colossal monolithic Kailasanath temple.
  • 3. The Ajanta caves have been built over a period of eight centuries by different rulers.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”1 and 3 only” option3=”2 only” option4=”2 and 3 only” correct=”option4″]

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Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ajanta caves are primarily associated with Buddhism, featuring paintings and sculptures depicting the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives) and scenes from his life. Statement 2 is correct. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) at Ellora is a monumental monolithic rock-cut temple dedicated to Shiva and is widely considered the most outstanding architectural achievement among the Ellora caves. Statement 3 is correct. The Ajanta caves were built over a considerable period, dating from roughly the 2nd century BCE (Satavahana period) to the 5th-6th centuries CE (Vakataka period), involving different phases of construction and patronage by various rulers over about eight centuries.
The Ellora caves complex includes shrines and monasteries of three different religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, reflecting the religious harmony prevalent during the periods of their construction (roughly 6th to 10th centuries CE).

176. Consider the following pairs: Place Well-known for 1. A

Consider the following pairs:

PlaceWell-known for
1. Alchi TempleLakshmidevi sculpture
2. Sthaneshwar TempleArdhanarishvara sculpture
3. Jain Temple at OsianImage of Vrishabhanatha

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

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Statement 1 is incorrect. Alchi Monastery in Ladakh is a significant Buddhist site, renowned for its unique wall paintings (murals) and sculptures depicting Buddhist themes, heavily influenced by Kashmiri and Central Asian styles. It is not primarily known for a Lakshmidevi sculpture, which is a Hindu deity.
Statement 3 is correct. Osian in Rajasthan is known for its ancient Hindu and Jain temples. The Jain temples there contain images of Jain Tirthankaras, and images of Vrishabhanatha (Adinatha), the first Tirthankara, are indeed found and celebrated there.
Statement 2 is correct. Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Thanesar, Haryana. While it is known for its historical significance and as a pilgrimage site, it also contains significant sculptures, including depictions of Ardhanarishvara (a form of Shiva). It is considered well-known for such iconographies within its collection.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correctly matched, while statement 1 is not.
Knowledge of prominent archaeological and religious sites and their well-known features is required. Alchi is Buddhist art (murals), Osian Jain temples feature Tirthankaras, and Sthaneshwar temple features various Shiva forms.
Osian was a major religious centre between the 8th and 11th centuries. The Jain temples there are fine examples of Pratihara architecture. Sthaneshwar temple has ancient roots, linked to the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

177. Agnimitra, the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra belonged to :

Agnimitra, the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra belonged to :

[amp_mcq option1=”Sunga dynasty” option2=”Kanva dynasty” option3=”Satvahana dynasty” option4=”Gupta dynasty” correct=”option1″]

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Agnimitra was the son and successor of Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga dynasty. Kalidasa’s play ‘Malavikagnimitram’ revolves around King Agnimitra, placing him firmly within the Shunga dynasty.
‘Malavikagnimitram’ is a historical play by Kalidasa featuring characters from the Shunga dynasty.
The Shunga dynasty succeeded the Mauryan dynasty in Magadha. Pushyamitra Shunga was a general under the last Mauryan king whom he overthrew. His son Agnimitra reigned after him. The play provides some insights into the courtly life and political climate of the period, although it is primarily a work of literature.

178. In Buddhist principle, the performance of Sila and the achievement of

In Buddhist principle, the performance of Sila and the achievement of Samadhi and Prajna lead to Nirvana. What does this Sila stand for ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mental control” option2=”Physical control” option3=”Development of insight” option4=”Strict penance” correct=”option2″]

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In Buddhist principles, the path to Nirvana is often described through Sila (ethical conduct/morality), Samadhi (concentration/meditation/mental control), and Prajna (wisdom/insight). Sila involves adherence to precepts and ethical discipline, which includes controlling physical actions and speech according to moral principles. While Sila encompasses more than just physical actions (it includes speech and mental effort to maintain ethics), among the given options, “Physical control” is the closest description related to the ethical control over actions that Sila entails, differentiating it from purely mental control (Samadhi) or insight (Prajna).
Sila is the foundation of the Buddhist path, representing ethical conduct, morality, and discipline, essential for developing concentration (Samadhi) and wisdom (Prajna).
Sila is often translated as ‘virtue’, ‘morality’, ‘ethics’, or ‘discipline’. It involves following precepts such as not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, and not taking intoxicants. These precepts directly involve controlling one’s physical actions and speech.

179. Which of the following statements about Bhadrabahu is/are correct ?

Which of the following statements about Bhadrabahu is/are correct ?

  • He was a Jain Saint.
  • He was spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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Statement 1 is correct because Bhadrabahu was a prominent Jain saint, head of the Digambara sect. Statement 2 is also considered correct in Jain tradition, which holds that Chandragupta Maurya converted to Jainism and became a disciple of Bhadrabahu, accompanying him on a migration to South India (Sravanabelagola).
Bhadrabahu is a significant figure in Jain history, particularly associated with the migration that led to the split into Digambara and Svetambara sects. His connection with Chandragupta Maurya is a notable tradition within Jainism.
While some historians debate the historicity of Chandragupta’s conversion and migration with Bhadrabahu, it remains a widely accepted tradition in Jain literature and is often mentioned in historical contexts related to the Maurya period and the development of Jainism. Bhadrabahu is also credited with writing important Jain texts like ‘Kalpa Sutra’ (though parts are attributed to later authors) and ‘Bhadrabahu Samhita’.

180. Taxila was the capital of which one among the following Mahajanapadas

Taxila was the capital of which one among the following Mahajanapadas of ancient India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kuru” option2=”Kasi” option3=”Gandhar” option4=”Avanti” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C. Taxila (Takshashila) was the capital of the ancient Mahajanapada of Gandhara.
– Gandhara was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, powerful kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.
– It was located in the northwest part of the Indian subcontinent, in parts of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
– Its capital cities were Purushapura (modern Peshawar) and Takshashila (Taxila). Taxila was a major center of learning and commerce.
– The other options are incorrect:
– Kuru: Capital was Hastinapura or Indraprastha, located in the Delhi-Haryana region.
– Kasi: Capital was Varanasi, located in modern-day Uttar Pradesh.
– Avanti: Capital was Ujjayini or Mahishmati, located in modern-day Madhya Pradesh.
The Mahajanapada period was a significant phase in early Indian history, marking the consolidation of political power into larger states following the Vedic period. Gandhara was known for its unique Gandhara school of art, which showed Greek influence.
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