Ancient History of India Archives

51. According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are corre

According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?

1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

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The correct option is A, as statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Statement 1 is correct. Kautilya’s Arthashastra describes various ways a person could become a slave (dasa), including as a result of judicial punishment (e.g., for certain crimes), voluntary self-sale, or being captured in war.
Statement 2 is correct. Arthashastra (Book III, Chapter XIII) explicitly states that if a female slave bore her master a son, both the mother and the child would gain emancipation (legally become free).
Statement 3 is incorrect. While the son born to a female slave and fathered by her master gained freedom along with his mother, he was not automatically entitled to the full legal status of a son born to the master’s free wife. Kautilya’s text deals with different types of sons and inheritance rules, and a son by a slave woman had a distinct status, though he was not a slave.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra provides detailed regulations regarding slavery, including conditions for becoming a slave, the rights and duties of slaves, and provisions for manumission. It reflects a complex system with protections not always found in other historical slave systems.

52. With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Hi

With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:

Historical person	Known as
1. Aryadeva	—	Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga	—	Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni	—	Vaishnava scholar

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”None of the pairs” option2=”Only one pair” option3=”Only two pairs” option4=”All three pairs” correct=”option3″]

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The correct option is C, as only two of the pairs are correctly matched.

Pair 1: Aryadeva was a prominent Buddhist philosopher and a disciple of Nagarjuna. He was not a Jaina scholar.
Pair 2: Dignaga was a celebrated Buddhist logician and philosopher. This pair is correctly matched.
Pair 3: Nathamuni was a revered Vaishnava theologian and one of the earliest Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition. This pair is correctly matched.

Aryadeva (around 3rd century CE) followed the Madhyamika school of Buddhism. Dignaga (around 5th century CE) is considered the founder of the Buddhist school of logic. Nathamuni (around 10th century CE) compiled and systematized the Tamil hymns of the Alvars, known as the Divya Prabandham.

53. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts : 1.

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 and 4 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4″ option4=”2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option2″]

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Among the given texts, Parishishtaparvan and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana are Jaina texts. Nettipakarana and Avadanashataka are Buddhist texts.

– Nettipakarana is a commentary-like text on the teachings of the Buddha, included in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon. It is a Buddhist text.
– Parishishtaparvan (also known as Sthaviravali Charitra) is a 12th-century epic poem by Hemachandra that recounts the history of important early Jain figures. It is a significant Jaina text.
– Avadanashataka (One Hundred Tales of Glorious Deeds) is a collection of Buddhist narratives (Avadanas) in Sanskrit, illustrating the doctrine of karma. It is a Buddhist text.
– Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana is a major Jaina epic composed in Sanskrit, detailing the lives of 63 prominent figures in Jainism (including Tirthankaras and other great souls). It is a fundamental Jaina text.

Identifying religious texts is important for understanding the history, philosophy, and culture of ancient and medieval India. Jaina literature spans various genres, including epics, philosophical treatises, commentaries, and narratives.

54. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancie

Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.” option2=”The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.” option3=”Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.” option4=”Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

Sangam literature, particularly the *Puram* poems, reflects a society with distinct social classifications. While the exact imposition of the North Indian Varna system is debated by scholars, the texts mention Brahmins (priestly class), kings/chiefs (rulers), merchants, and agriculturalists (*velalas*) as significant social groups, indicating an awareness and presence of hierarchical social divisions akin to the varna concept, adapted to the South Indian context.

A) Sangam poems contain numerous references to material culture, including details about warfare, trade, agriculture, clothes, ornaments, and urban life. So, statement A is incorrect.
C) Sangam literature, especially *Puram* literature, extensively deals with the warrior ethic, heroism, battles, and the lives of kings and warriors. So, statement C is incorrect.
D) Sangam literature reflects a complex worldview including beliefs in various deities, spirits, omens, and religious rituals. It does not necessarily refer to all magical forces as irrational in the modern sense; these were part of their accepted reality. So, statement D is incorrect.

55. Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts

Consider the following pairs:

Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts	Location in the State of
1. Dhauli	— Odisha
2. Erragudi	— Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada	— Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi	— Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one pair” option2=”Only two pairs” option3=”Only three pairs” option4=”All four pairs” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) Only two pairs.

1. Dhauli: Located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka. Correct.
2. Erragudi (Yerragudi): Located in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka. Correct.
3. Jaugada: Located in Ganjam district, Odisha. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka, not Madhya Pradesh. Incorrect.
4. Kalsi: Located in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka, not Karnataka. Incorrect.

The other major rock edict sites include Girnar (Gujarat), Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Manshera (Pakistan), Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Sopara (Maharashtra), Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh), Dhauli (Odisha), and Jaugada (Odisha). Minor rock edicts and pillar edicts are found at various other locations.

56. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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Only statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mitakshara and Dayabhaga systems were schools of Hindu law primarily dealing with inheritance and property rights, based on different interpretations of ancient Dharmasastras. They were geographically relevant (Mitakshara prevalent across most of India, Dayabhaga primarily in Bengal and Assam) and based on differing legal principles regarding joint family property and inheritance, not on caste distinctions.
Statement 2 is correct: This statement accurately describes a key difference. Under the Mitakshara system, a son acquires a right by birth in the ancestral property of the joint family (coparcenary). Under the Dayabhaga system, the son does not acquire any right in the father’s property during the father’s lifetime; inheritance occurs only after the father’s death, when the property becomes divisible.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Both systems traditionally dealt with coparcenary property, which primarily consisted of property held by male members in a joint family. While the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (and its 2005 amendment) significantly reformed this by giving daughters equal rights in ancestral property, the traditional systems as originally conceived did not deal equally with property held by both male and female members in the manner implied.

The Mitakshara system is based on the commentary by Vijnaneswara on the Yajnavalkya Smriti. The Dayabhaga system is based on the text by Jimutavahana. These systems represented divergent interpretations of Hindu law, particularly concerning property rights within a family.

57. Consider the following pairs: ( Historical place ) : ( Well-known for

Consider the following pairs:
( Historical place ) : ( Well-known for )

1. Burzahom	:	Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandra-ketugarh	:	Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar	:	Copper artefacts

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

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

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The correctly matched pairs are (2) Chandra-ketugarh : Terracotta art and (3) Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts.

Burzahom is a Neolithic site known for pit dwellings and burial practices, not rock-cut shrines. Chandra-ketugarh is an archaeological site in West Bengal famous for its rich findings of terracotta art from ancient periods. Ganeshwar is a Chalcolithic site in Rajasthan known for its extensive copper mines and numerous copper artefacts, suggesting it was a major source of copper for the Indus Valley Civilization.

Pair 1 is incorrect as Burzahom is associated with Neolithic settlement features like pit dwellings. Pair 2 is correct as Chandra-ketugarh has yielded significant terracotta figurines and artefacts. Pair 3 is correct as Ganeshwar is renowned as a centre of copper metallurgy and trade.

58. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the ear

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?

1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharies of Kanauj
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 5″ option2=”1, 3, 4 and 6″ option3=”2, 3 and 4″ option4=”5 and 6″ correct=”option2″]

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The period from the decline of the main Gupta Empire (mid-6th century) until the rise of Harshavardhana (early 7th century, Harsha reigned c. 606-647 CE) was a time of political fragmentation in Northern India.
1. The Guptas of Magadha: While the main imperial line declined by the mid-6th century, a branch known as the Later Guptas continued to rule in Magadha and parts of Bengal during this period, sometimes contesting power with the Maukharies. So, they were holding power.
2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty rose to prominence much later, in the 9th and 10th centuries, ruling from Dhar. They were not significant powers in the 6th-early 7th century.
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: The Pushyabhuti dynasty, to which Harsha belonged, rose to power in the region of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) precisely during this period. Harsha’s father Prabhakaravardhana was a powerful ruler before Harsha. So, they were holding power.
4. The Maukharies of Kanauj: The Maukharies were a prominent ruling dynasty in the Gangetic plains, centered at Kanauj, during the late Gupta period and until the rise of Harsha. They were contemporaries and often rivals or allies of the Later Guptas and Pushyabhutis. Harsha’s sister Rajyashri was married to the Maukhari king Grahavarman. So, they were holding power.
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadava dynasty of Devagiri rose to power in the Deccan much later, in the 12th and 13th centuries. They were not relevant to North Indian power dynamics in the 6th-7th century.
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitraka dynasty ruled in the Valabhi region of Saurashtra (present-day Gujarat) from the late 5th century to the late 8th century. They were a significant regional power during the period in question, contemporary with the powers in North India, and are generally considered alongside them in the political landscape of the time. So, they were holding power.
Therefore, the kingdoms holding power in Northern India and surrounding areas during this period include the Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharies of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi.

– The period is from mid-6th century to early 7th century CE.
– Major powers in North/West India included the Later Guptas, Pushyabhutis, Maukharies, and Maitrakas.
– Paramaras and Yadavas rose to power much later.

This period is often seen as a transition from the centralized Gupta Empire to the era dominated by regional kingdoms, before Harsha briefly unified a large part of North India. The relationships between these kingdoms, such as alliances through marriage (like between Pushyabhutis and Maukharies) and conflicts, were crucial to the political landscape.

59. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elabora

Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

[amp_mcq option1=”Dholavira” option2=”Kalibangan” option3=”Rakhigarhi” option4=”Ropar” correct=”option1″]

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Dholavira, a major archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) in Gujarat, is particularly renowned for its sophisticated and elaborate water harvesting and management system. The city had a complex network of reservoirs carved into the rock, interconnected by channels, designed to capture and store monsoon rainwater for year-round use in the arid region. This system is considered one of the most advanced of its time.

– Dholavira, a Harappan site, is famous for its advanced water management system.
– The system included reservoirs, dams, and channels to collect and store rainwater.
– This sophisticated system helped sustain the urban population in an arid environment.

While other Harappan sites like Kalibangan and Rakhigarhi also show evidence of water management, Dholavira’s system is considered unparalleled in its scale and sophistication among contemporary sites. Ropar is another Harappan site, known for burials showing dogs buried with humans. Dholavira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly due to its unique water management infrastructure.

60. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla

With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous

[amp_mcq option1=”Jain monks” option2=”playwrights” option3=”temple architects” option4=”philosophers” correct=”option2″]

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Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, and Kshemeshvara were famous playwrights.

Bhavabhuti was a celebrated Sanskrit playwright of the 8th century, known for works like ‘Malatimadhava’, ‘Mahaviracharita’, and ‘Uttararamacarita’. Hastimalla was a prolific Jain playwright of the 13th century, authoring several Kannada plays. Kshemeshvara was another notable Sanskrit playwright, likely active between the 10th and 11th centuries, known for his play ‘Chandakaushika’. All three are historically recognized for their contributions to drama.

While individuals might have had multiple roles (e.g., philosophers who were also playwrights), the primary fame and historical identification of these three figures are as playwrights. They are significant figures in the history of Indian theatre and Sanskrit literature.