Ancient History of India

11. Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Su

Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad ?

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Gautamiputra Shatakarni
Kanishka
Samudragupta
Harshavardhana
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The description provided (“the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad”) closely matches the eulogistic language used to describe the Gupta emperor Samudragupta in the Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prashasti), composed by his court poet and minister, Harishena. The inscription portrays Samudragupta as an ideal ruler, a conqueror, learned, and benevolent, often attributing divine qualities to him and presenting him as a force for righteousness (prosperity of the good) and order (destruction of the bad). While other rulers were also praised in inscriptions, this specific phrasing and hyperbolic praise are most famously associated with Samudragupta’s court eulogy.
– Inscriptions and Prashastis are key sources for understanding ancient Indian rulers.
– The Allahabad Pillar inscription is a famous example of a royal eulogy from the Gupta period.
Gautamiputra Shatakarni (Satavahana dynasty) is known from the Nasik inscription by his mother. Kanishka (Kushan dynasty) is known from various inscriptions including the Rabatak inscription. Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti dynasty) is known from sources like the Harshacharita by Bana and the accounts of Xuanzang. However, the description given is most characteristic of the Allahabad Prashasti’s portrayal of Samudragupta.

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12. Tosali is known in Indian History as the name of :

Tosali is known in Indian History as the name of :

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the Jain brother of the Buddhist Upali.
a provincial centre in Mauryan Empire.
wife of Mahapadma Nanda.
a sacred river in Andhra Pradesh.
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Tosali is known in Indian History as a provincial centre in the Mauryan Empire.
Tosali was the capital of the Kalinga province during the Mauryan Empire.
After conquering Kalinga, Emperor Ashoka established Tosali as one of the major administrative headquarters of his vast empire. His famous rock edicts, specifically the Kalinga Edicts (Dhauli and Jaugada), are found near Tosali, emphasizing benevolent administration towards the newly conquered people. The exact location is believed to be near modern-day Dhauli in Odisha.

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13. Which of the following do/does not represent a break between the Early

Which of the following do/does not represent a break between the Early Harappan cultures and the Mature Harappan civilization ?

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  • Large-scale burning at some sites
  • Abandonment of certain settlements
  • A shift in the course of the Hakra river

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1 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
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A shift in the course of the Hakra river (3) does not necessarily represent a “break” between the Early Harappan cultures and the Mature Harappan civilization in the same way that large-scale burning or abandonment at specific sites might.
The transition from Early Harappan cultures to the Mature Harappan civilization was a complex process involving both continuity and discontinuity across different regions.
Large-scale burning at sites (1) and abandonment of certain settlements (2) are often cited as evidence of stress, conflict, or regional decline, representing direct breaks in the occupation or life of those specific locations during the transition phase. The shift in the course of the Hakra river (3), while causing the abandonment of numerous settlements in the Ghaggar-Hakra valley, was an environmental factor that *caused* regional discontinuity. However, the overall Mature Harappan civilization emerged and flourished primarily in the Indus valley, arguably representing an evolution or adaptation rather than a complete break in the cultural trajectory, even though it caused regional shifts. Option 3 is often seen as a major environmental catalyst *behind* some of the regional discontinuities, rather than the “break” itself.

14. Which one of the following statements with regard to historical import

Which one of the following statements with regard to historical importance of Kushinagar, is correct ?

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Siddhartha Gautama's 'great departure' took place here and he became an ascetic, a Sramana.
Siddhartha Gautama obtained his enlightenment here and he became Buddha.
Buddha gave his first sermon known as Dharmachakra-parivartana sutra.
Buddha passed away here, which is known as Mahaparinirvana.
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Kushinagar is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site because it is where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, passed away. This event is known as the Mahaparinirvana (the great cessation) and is one of the four principal pilgrimage destinations in Buddhism.
– Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of Buddha occurred at Kushinagar.
– This is one of the four most important sites in Buddhist pilgrimage (Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar).
– Siddhartha Gautama’s ‘great departure’ happened from Kapilavastu/Lumbini.
– Enlightenment happened at Bodh Gaya.
– First sermon (Dharmachakra-parivartana sutra) happened at Sarnath.
The Mahaparinirvana Stupa and Temple in Kushinagar mark the site of Buddha’s final resting place. The site was rediscovered and excavated in the 19th century.

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15. In Jainism, which one of the following does not form part of tri-ratna

In Jainism, which one of the following does not form part of tri-ratna ?

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Samyak panch-mahavrata
Samyak jnana
Samyak charitra
Samyak darshana
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In Jainism, the path to liberation is guided by the Three Jewels (Tri-ratna): Samyak Darshana (Right Faith or Perception), Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). The Panch Mahavratas (five great vows – non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession) are integral to Samyak Charitra but are not considered a separate ‘jewel’.
– The Tri-ratna (Three Jewels) of Jainism are Samyak Darshana, Samyak Jnana, and Samyak Charitra.
– These three are essential for liberation (moksha).
– The Panch Mahavratas are part of Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
Samyak Darshana involves having a correct understanding of the fundamental truths of Jainism. Samyak Jnana means having clear and accurate knowledge of the universe as taught by the Tirthankaras. Samyak Charitra refers to the observance of ethical rules and vows (like the Mahavratas) that lead to liberation.

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16. Kushanas were the descendants of which of the following Central Asian

Kushanas were the descendants of which of the following Central Asian Tribes ?

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Hiung-nu
Wu-Sun
Little Yueh-Chi
Great Yueh-Chi
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The Kushanas were one of the five major tribes that constituted the Yueh-Chi confederation. After being driven westward from China by the Xiongnu, the Yueh-Chi settled in Bactria. The Kushana branch of the Great Yueh-Chi rose to prominence and founded the Kushana Empire.
– The Kushanas were a part of the Yueh-Chi confederation.
– They migrated westward from China.
– They belonged to the Great Yueh-Chi branch, distinct from the Little Yueh-Chi.
The Great Yueh-Chi conquered the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and later expanded into northern India, establishing a vast empire that flourished from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE. Famous Kushana rulers include Kanishka.

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17. According to Jaina tradition, who was the first Jain Tirthankara ?

According to Jaina tradition, who was the first Jain Tirthankara ?

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Rishabhadeva
Neminatha
Parshvanatha
Vardhaman
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According to Jain tradition, Rishabhadeva (also known as Adinatha) was the first of the 24 Tirthankaras. He is considered the founder of Jainism in the present cosmic age (avasarpini).
– Jainism believes in a succession of 24 Tirthankaras.
– Rishabhadeva is the first Tirthankara.
– Mahavira (Vardhamana) is the 24th and last Tirthankara.
The Tirthankaras are spiritual teachers who have conquered the cycle of death and rebirth and provide a path for others to follow. While Rishabhadeva is considered the first, historical evidence for Jainism is more firmly established from the time of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, and the 24th, Mahavira.

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18. In the Mesopotamian records, the Indus Valley region is addressed as

In the Mesopotamian records, the Indus Valley region is addressed as

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Meluha.
Dilmun.
Magan.
Uruk.
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In ancient Mesopotamian texts, trade relations with various regions to the east are mentioned. The region corresponding to the Indus Valley Civilization is consistently referred to as ‘Meluha’. Other regions mentioned include Dilmun (likely Bahrain/Persian Gulf) and Magan (likely Oman/UAE).
– Mesopotamian records provide evidence of trade and contact with regions to the east.
– Meluha is identified as the Indus Valley Civilization.
– Dilmun and Magan were other significant trade partners.
Trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley involved the exchange of goods like carnelian beads, lapis lazuli, gold, copper, and timber. The Mesopotamian texts mention Meluha as a distant land, and there is archaeological evidence supporting this long-distance trade.

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19. Narayan Pandit’s Hitopadesha is considered to be another version of

Narayan Pandit’s Hitopadesha is considered to be another version of

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Panchatantra.
Lilavati.
Brihatsamhita.
Panchasiddhantika.
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Narayan Pandit’s Hitopadesha is a collection of Sanskrit fables that is explicitly stated to be a version or adaptation of the Panchatantra.
– Hitopadesha means “Beneficial Counsel”. It was compiled in the 12th century.
– It draws heavily from the Panchatantra but reorganizes the stories and adds new ones, focusing on niti (wise conduct) and worldly wisdom.
Panchatantra, meaning “Five Treatises”, is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, believed to have been compiled by Vishnu Sharma. Lilavati is a 12th-century mathematical treatise by Bhaskara II. Brihatsamhita and Panchasiddhantika are works on astronomy by Varahamihira (6th century).

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20. Which among the following was/were the capital(s) of the Magadha Janap

Which among the following was/were the capital(s) of the Magadha Janapada ?

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  • 1. Rajgriha
  • 2. Patliputra
  • 3. Champa
  • 4. Vaishali

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 4
1 and 2
2 and 3
2 only
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Rajgriha (Girivraja) was the early capital of the Magadha Janapada, and later Pataliputra became the capital.
– Rajgriha served as the capital of Magadha during the reigns of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.
– Pataliputra was established near the confluence of the Ganga and Son rivers and was made the capital by Udayin. It remained a major capital for subsequent empires like the Mauryas.
Champa was the capital of the neighbouring kingdom of Anga, which was conquered by Magadha. Vaishali was the capital of the Vajjian (Lichchavi) confederacy, which was also eventually annexed by Magadha, but it was not a capital of Magadha itself.

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