Ancient History of India Archives

81. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term	Description
1. Eripatti	: Land, revenue from which was set apart for the main tenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs	: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas	: Colleges generally attached to the temples

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

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

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Pair 1 is correctly matched. ‘Eripatti’ or ‘Eri-patti’ (also Eri-ayam) in South Indian history, particularly under the Cholas, referred to land the revenue from which was specifically earmarked for the maintenance of the village tank (eri).
Pair 3 is correctly matched. ‘Ghatikas’ or ‘Ghatikastanams’ were centers of learning or colleges, often associated with temples in South India (e.g., Kanchi, Ennayiram, Tirumukkudal).
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. ‘Taniyurs’ (also ‘Tan-kurus’ or ‘Tan-nadu’) were large single villages or groups of villages that were administered as independent units, separate from the surrounding ‘Kurrams’ (sub-divisions of a district). They were not specifically defined as villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins; such donations were known as ‘Brahmadeya’ or ‘Agrahara’ grants.

Eripatti is linked to tank maintenance. Taniyurs are self-governing large villages/units. Ghatikas are temple-attached colleges. Brahmadeya/Agrahara are land grants to Brahmins.

The Chola administration is well-known for its detailed village administration and land classifications, including specific assignments of land revenue for public works like tank maintenance (Eripatti) and the existence of autonomous large village units (Taniyurs). Educational institutions like Ghatikas played a significant role in the spread of learning, particularly Vedic studies and philosophy.

82. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the followi

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

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

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Statements 2 and 3 are correct descriptions of the Bodhisattva concept, which is central to Mahayana Buddhism. A Bodhisattva is indeed a compassionate being who has attained a high level of enlightenment but chooses to delay their own final Nirvana (salvation) to help all other sentient beings achieve liberation. Statement 1 is incorrect; the concept of Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Buddhism, while Hinayana (Theravada) focuses on the path to becoming an Arhat, an individual who achieves personal enlightenment and liberation.

The Bodhisattva ideal, characterized by compassion and the vow to save all beings, is a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the path of the Bodhisattva is seen as superior to that of the Arhat, emphasizing universal salvation and the interconnectedness of all beings. Key Bodhisattva vows include the resolve to attain perfect enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings and to liberate all beings from suffering.

83. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor

Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

[amp_mcq option1=”Georg Bühler” option2=”James Prinsep” option3=”Max Müller” option4=”William Jones” correct=”option2″]

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Emperor Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on pillars and rocks throughout his empire in various scripts, primarily Brahmi and Kharosthi.

The first person to successfully decipher the ancient Brahmi script, which allowed for the reading and understanding of Ashoka’s edicts, was James Prinsep. Prinsep, an English scholar and antiquary, made this breakthrough in the 1830s while working as an assay master at the Calcutta Mint.

His decipherment of Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts was a monumental achievement that unlocked vast amounts of information about ancient Indian history, particularly the Mauryan period under Ashoka. Other scholars listed contributed significantly to Indology but were not the first to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.

84. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story o

Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

[amp_mcq option1=”Swapnavasavadatta” option2=”Malavikagnimitra” option3=”Meghadoota” option4=”Ratnavali” correct=”option2″]

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The Sunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Sunga after overthrowing the Mauryan dynasty. His son and successor was Agnimitra. The love story of Agnimitra is the subject of a famous Sanskrit play.

The Sanskrit playwright Kalidasa wrote the play ‘Malavikagnimitra’ (meaning ‘Malavika and Agnimitra’). This play narrates the love story of King Agnimitra of Vidisha (son of Pushyamitra Sunga) and Malavika, a beautiful maiden who works as a servant in his palace.

Let’s look at the other options:
A) Swapnavasavadatta: A play by Bhasa, dealing with the story of King Udayana of Vatsa and his queen Vasavadatta.
C) Meghadoota: A lyric poem by Kalidasa, where a Yaksha sends a message to his beloved through a cloud. It does not feature the son of the Sunga founder.
D) Ratnavali: A play by Harshavardhana, also dealing with the story of King Udayana and his queen Ratnavali.
Therefore, ‘Malavikagnimitra’ is the correct book.

85. Kalamkari painting refers to

Kalamkari painting refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”a hand-painted cotton textile in South India” option2=”a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India” option3=”a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India” option4=”a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India” correct=”option1″]

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Kalamkari painting refers to a hand-painted cotton textile in South India.

Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton fabric with a ‘kalam’ (pen), using natural dyes. It is primarily practiced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in South India.

There are two distinct styles of Kalamkari art in India: the Srikalahasti style, which is free-hand drawing and painting, and the Machilipatnam style, which uses block-printing followed by hand painting. Both are traditionally done on cotton textile and are renowned for their intricate details and use of natural colours, often depicting mythological figures, floral motifs, or epic scenes.

86. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which o

With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

[amp_mcq option1=”Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar” option2=”Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli” option3=”Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram” option4=”Varaha Image at Udayagiri” correct=”option2″]

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Let’s determine the approximate period for each option:
A) Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar: Construction primarily in the 11th century CE (Kalinga dynasty).
B) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli: Associated with Ashoka’s rock edicts from the 3rd century BCE (Maurya Empire). The elephant is carved from a boulder above the edicts.
C) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram: Created mainly during the Pallava dynasty, from the 7th to 8th centuries CE.
D) Varaha Image at Udayagiri: The famous relief of Varaha rescuing the Earth (Bhu Devi) at Udayagiri Caves is from Cave 5, dating to the early 5th century CE (Gupta period, likely during the reign of Chandragupta II).
Comparing the dates (3rd century BCE, 5th century CE, 7th-8th centuries CE, 11th century CE), the Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli is the earliest among the given options.

– Requires knowledge of the periods of major Indian art and architectural sites.
– Chronological ordering of the listed sites.
– Dhauli Elephant dates back to the Maurya period under Ashoka.

The Dhauli elephant is one of the earliest surviving examples of Indian rock-cut sculpture on a large scale. Udayagiri Caves are famous for their Gupta-era sculptures and inscriptions. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is renowned for its monolithic rock-cut temples (rathas) and structural temples. The Lingaraja Temple is a prime example of later Kalinga architecture.

87. Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the B

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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The kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha were significantly associated with the life of the Buddha.

Gautama Buddha spent most of his life after enlightenment preaching and travelling within the territories of Kosala and Magadha Mahajanapadas.
– He was born near Kapilavastu, which was located in the foothills bordering the Kosala kingdom.
– He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and gave his first sermon at Sarnath, both of which were in or near the Magadha kingdom.
– He frequently visited and preached in major cities of these kingdoms like Rajagriha (capital of Magadha) and Shravasti (capital of Kosala). Kings like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru of Magadha and Prasenajit of Kosala were his contemporaries and patrons.
Avanti (capital Ujjain) and Gandhara (north-western region) were important Mahajanapadas, but the Buddha’s direct interactions and travels were primarily concentrated in the middle Gangetic plain, encompassing Kosala and Magadha.

The Buddhist scriptures (like the Pali Canon) primarily describe the Buddha’s activities within the geographical area covered by Kosala and Magadha, and neighbouring republics and small kingdoms in the vicinity.

88. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, co

With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs :
Famous shrine Location

1. Tabo monastery and temple complex : Spiti Valley
2. Lhotsava Lhakang temple, Nako : Zanskar Valley
3. Alchi temple complex : Ladakh

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=”option3″]

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Let’s evaluate each pair:
1. Tabo monastery and temple complex: Spiti Valley – Tabo Monastery, also known as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’, is located in the Tabo village of Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. It is indeed in the Spiti Valley. This pair is correctly matched.
2. Lhotsava Lhakang temple, Nako: Zanskar Valley – Nako village and its famous Lhotsava Lhakang temple are located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, close to the border with Tibet/China. While it is in a high-altitude Himalayan region, it is not in the Zanskar Valley, which is primarily located in the Kargil district of Ladakh. This pair is incorrectly matched.
3. Alchi temple complex: Ladakh – Alchi Monastery is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, known for its beautiful Kashmiri-style paintings. It is located in Ladakh. This pair is correctly matched.
Therefore, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

– Tabo Monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the Himalayas, founded in 996 CE.
– Alchi Monastery is known for its unique artistic style which differs from others in Ladakh.
– Both Spiti and Ladakh are regions with significant Buddhist populations and ancient monasteries.

Spiti Valley is located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, while Zanskar and Ladakh are regions within the Union Territory of Ladakh. These areas are centers of Tibetan Buddhism and house numerous important monasteries and cultural sites.

89. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs:

Famous work of sculpture	Site
1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below	Ajanta
2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock	Mount Abu
3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/”Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders	Mamallapuram

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

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

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. The famous sculpture of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with celestial musicians and sorrowful followers is located in Cave 26 at Ajanta. The large rock relief depicting “Arjuna’s Penance” or the “Descent of Ganga” is a prominent sculpture at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram). Pair 2 is incorrectly matched; the iconic huge image of Varaha Avatar rescuing Goddess Earth is found at the Udaigiri Caves in Madhya Pradesh, not Mount Abu.

– Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) are famous for Buddhist rock-cut caves with paintings and sculptures.
– Mamallapuram (Tamil Nadu) is known for its Pallava period rock-cut architecture and sculptures, including the famous Descent of Ganga panel.
– Udaigiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh) are known for Gupta period sculptures, including the large Varaha relief. Mount Abu is famous for Jain Dilwara Temples.

These sites represent significant achievements in ancient and medieval Indian art and architecture, showcasing diverse religious themes (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain) and artistic styles across different dynasties and regions. Ajanta and Mamallapuram are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

90. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Em

The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

[amp_mcq option1=”Katha Upanishad” option2=”Chandogya Upanishad” option3=”Aitareya Upanishad” option4=”Mundaka Upanishad” correct=”option4″]

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The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth alone triumphs), is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.

The question asks for the source of India’s national motto.

‘Satyameva Jayate’ is a mantra from the Mundaka Upanishad (3.1.6). It is inscribed in the Devanagari script at the base of the Lion Capital of Ashoka and forms part of the national emblem of India.