Post-Mauryan Period

21. The famous Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela mentions that in the e

The famous Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela mentions that in the eleventh year of his reign, Kharavela destroyed a confederacy of Tamil States, “Tramiradesa Sanghatam”, which had long been a source of danger. How old was this confederacy of Tamil States at that time ?

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110 years old
111 years old
112 years old
113 years old
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
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The correct answer is C) 112 years old.
The Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela of Kalinga states that in the *twelfth* year of his reign, he destroyed a confederacy of Tamil states (Tramiradesa Sanghatam) that had been in existence for one hundred and thirteen years (113 years). The question mentions the eleventh year of his reign. If the confederacy was 113 years old in the 12th year of Kharavela’s reign when it was destroyed, then in the 11th year of his reign (one year prior), it would have been 113 – 1 = 112 years old. The question stem contains a factual inconsistency regarding the year of the attack (11th vs. 12th as per inscription), but asks for the age of the confederacy *at that time* (the 11th year as stated in the question).
The Hathigumpha inscription is a key source for the history of ancient Kalinga and the reign of Kharavela. It provides details about his conquests, administrative actions, and religious patronage. The mention of the Tamil confederacy and its age indicates interactions between the Kalinga kingdom and the Southern Indian states during this period.

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22. In the first century AD, which among the following was not a major ite

In the first century AD, which among the following was not a major item of Indian exports to Rome?

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Pepper
Spikenard
Tortoiseshell
Nutmeg
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2018
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In the first century AD, major items exported from India to the Roman Empire included spices like pepper, aromatics like spikenard, textiles, precious stones, ivory, and tortoiseshell. Nutmeg, however, is native to the Banda Islands (in present-day Indonesia) and was not a significant export item from India to Rome during this period. Its trade became prominent much later.
Trade between India and the Roman Empire flourished during the early centuries AD, primarily through sea routes via the Red Sea. Texts like the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea provide lists of goods traded.
Spices, perfumes, and luxury goods were highly valued in the Roman market, leading to a significant outflow of gold from Rome to India, which was commented upon by Roman writers.

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23. Consider the following statements about Kanaganahalli archaeological s

Consider the following statements about Kanaganahalli archaeological site :

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  • 1. It is situated on the bank of Bhima river.
  • 2. The remains of the Kanaganahalli Stupa can be dated between 1st and 3rd centuries CE.
  • 3. Emperor Ashoka’s image was found at the site.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2023
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Let’s evaluate each statement:
1. It is situated on the bank of Bhima river: Kanaganahalli is located in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, on the left bank of the Bhima river. This statement is correct.
2. The remains of the Kanaganahalli Stupa can be dated between 1st and 3rd centuries CE: The archaeological findings at Kanaganahalli indicate that the Great Stupa flourished during the Satavahana period, which spanned roughly from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The remains indeed fall within this timeframe. This statement is correct.
3. Emperor Ashoka’s image was found at the site: A particularly significant discovery at Kanaganahalli is a relief sculpture of Emperor Ashoka with the inscription “Raya Ashoka” (King Ashoka) in Brahmi script on a stone slab. This is considered one of the few known contemporary depictions of Ashoka with his name. This statement is correct.
Since all three statements are correct, the correct option is D.
– Kanaganahalli is an important Buddhist site from the Satavahana period in Karnataka.
– The site yielded a unique sculpture of Emperor Ashoka with his name inscribed.
– It is located on the Bhima river.
– The Kanaganahalli Stupa was built upon an earlier brick structure.
– The site is also famous for numerous inscribed sculptures depicting Jataka tales and scenes from the life of Buddha.
– The discovery of Ashoka’s portrait reinforced the connection of this region to the Mauryan Empire and its patronage of Buddhism.

24. The notion of kinship projected by the Kushana rulers is best evidence

The notion of kinship projected by the Kushana rulers is best evidenced through which of the following?

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Their identification with deities
Grants to religious institutions
Inscriptional panegyrics
Coins and sculpture
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2023
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The correct answer is A, Their identification with deities.
Kushana rulers, such as Kanishka, projected a strong notion of kinship and authority by associating themselves with various deities from different pantheons (like Buddha, Iranian deities, and Hindu deities). The adoption of titles like ‘Devaputra’ (Son of God), which was inspired by Chinese titles, directly indicates their attempt to project divine lineage or connection to bolster their legitimacy and status. This deliberate identification with deities was a significant way they projected their notion of kinship and power.
While coins and sculpture (D) were media used to depict these associations and inscriptions (C) often contained panegyrics, the core notion being projected was their divine connection or identification with powerful deities (A). Grants to religious institutions (B) were also common practice but did not as directly project a specific notion of the ruler’s own kinship or divine status as much as the adoption of divine titles and imagery did.

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25. Which of the following rulers were identified through metronymics (nam

Which of the following rulers were identified through metronymics (names derived from that of the mother)?

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Mallas of Pava
Videhas of Mithila
Yaudheyas
Satavahanas
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2020
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The Satavahanas were a dynasty in ancient South India whose rulers were often identified through metronymics.
Satavahana rulers frequently adopted names derived from their mothers’ names, such as Gautamiputra Satakarni (son of Gautami) and Vashishthiputra Pulumavi (son of Vashishthi). This practice is a distinctive feature of their inscriptions and coins.
The use of metronymics among the Satavahanas suggests a degree of respect for the maternal lineage, although patrilineal succession remained the norm. While other ancient groups had different naming conventions, metronymics are most prominently associated with the Satavahana dynasty in this context.

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26. Consider the following statements about votive inscriptions in the sec

Consider the following statements about votive inscriptions in the second century BC:

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  • They record gifts made to religious institutions
  • They tell us about the idea of transference of the meritorious results of the action of one person to another person

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
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Both statements about votive inscriptions from the second century BC are correct. Statement 1 is accurate; votive inscriptions, especially those found at Buddhist sites like Sanchi and Bharhut from this period, primarily record donations (gifts) made by individuals, guilds, or families to religious institutions (stupas, monasteries). Statement 2 is also correct; these inscriptions often mention that the merit gained from the donation is for the welfare and happiness of specific relatives (mother, father, teachers) or even for the welfare of all sentient beings, explicitly indicating the idea of transferring merit accumulated through the virtuous act of donation.
Votive inscriptions from ancient India provide insights into religious practices, patronage, social structure, and philosophical ideas like the transference of merit.
These inscriptions are valuable sources for understanding the history, art, and religious beliefs of ancient India, particularly during the post-Mauryan period when Buddhism and other religious movements gained prominence.

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