44 Objective Questions on Ancient History Part-2 (Civil Service Examination)

44 Objectives Questions on Ancient History Part-2 (Civil Service Examination)

45. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes: [1999]

(a) an ethnic group (b) a nomadic people

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46. Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period? [1999]

(a) Tamralipti (b) Broach

47. Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition.

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Reason (R): They were included under the post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper. [2000]

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

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(d) A is false but R is true

48. Assertion (A): The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence (ahimsa) prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism. Reason (R): Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests. [2000]

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

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(d) A is false but R is true

49. Assertion (A): The origin of feudal system in ancient India can be traced to military campaigns.

Reason (R): There was considerable expansion of the feudal system during the Gupta period. [2000]

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(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

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50. Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.

Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India. [2000]

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation Of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

51. The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the: [2000]

(a) Greeks (b) Shakas

52. Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander’s invasion? [2000]

(a) Nanda (b) Maurya

53. Hoysala monuments are found in: [2001]

(a) Hampi and Hosper

(b) Halebid and Belur

(d) Sringeri and Dharwar

54. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

(a) Harappan Civilization-Painted Grey Ware [2001]

(b) The Kushans – Gandhra School of Art

(d) The Marathas – Pahari School of Painting

55. In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located? [2001]

(a) Bhubaneswar (b) Bijapur

56. Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convenced the Prayag Assembly.

Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism. [2001]

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation A of A

(d) A is false but R is true

57.Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon? [2001]

(a) Aditya-I (b) Rajaraja-I

58. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the regin of Kanishka at Kashmir?

(a) Parsva (b) Nagarjuna [2001]

59. Which one of the following animals was not represented! out seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?

(a) Cow (b) Elephant [2001]

60. Match List I (Ancient site) with List II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List I (Ancient site) List II (Archaeological finding)

A. Lothal 1. Polughed field

B. Kalibangan 2. Dockyard

C. Dholavira 3. Terrcotta replica of a plough

D. Banawali 4. An inscription comprising ten large sized signs of the Harappan script

Codes:

(a) A – 1; B-2; C-3; D-4

(b) A-2; B – 1; C-4; D-3

(d) A-2; B-1; C-3; D-4

61. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2002]

(a) The statue of Gomateshwara at Sravana belagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains

(b) India’s largest Buddhist monastery is in Arunachal Pradesh

(d) The hopysalesvara tempel is dedicated to Siva

62. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the: [2002]

(a)occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka and two speakers one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya

(b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season

(c) ceremony of initiation of new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and when yellow robes are offered

(d)gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the full-moon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of rainy season

63. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on: [2002]

(a) a conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore

(b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman

(d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta

64. Emperor Harsha’s Southward march was stopped on the Narmada River by: [2003]

(a) Pulakesin-1 (b) Pulakesin-11

65. Consider the following statements:

1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.

2. The Cholas sent an expedition against Sailendra empire of South East Asia and conquered some of the areas

Which of these statements is/are correct? [2003]

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

66. Mrichchhakatika’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with: [2003]

(a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan

(b) the victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India

(d) the love affairs between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa

67. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka

2. Gautama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty

3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

68. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga

2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne

3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only2

69. Consider the following statements:

1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka

2. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only [2004]

70. With reference to ancient jainism, which one of the following statements is correct? [2004]

(a) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu

(b) The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the council held at Pataliputra ‘

(d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhist

71. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells? [2004]

(a) Rigveda (b) Yajurveda

72. Which one of the following sequences ‘indicates the correct chronological order? [2004]

(a) Shankaracharya-Ramanuja-Chaitanya

(b) Ramanuja-Shankaracharya-Chaitanya

(d) Shankaracharya-Chaitanya-Ramanuja

73. Consider the following princely States of the British rule in India: [2004]

1. Jhansi 2. Sambalpur

3. Satara

The correct chronological order in which they were annexed by the British is: [2004]

(a) 1, 2, 3 (b) 1, 3, 2

74. Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other there? [2005]

(a) Bimbsara (b) Gautama Buddha

75. Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire? [2006]

(a) Amostghavarsha I (b) Dantidurga

76. Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located? [2006]

(a) Indus and Jhelum (b) Jhelum and Chenab

77. With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order? [2006]

(a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas

(b) Greeks- Kushanas-Sakas

(d) Sakas-Kush anas-Greeks

78. Consider the following statements:

1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.

2. The Pala Rulers of Eastern India were Patrons of Buddhism.

Which of the statements) given above is/ are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

79. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following? [2006]

(a) Mahapadma Nanda

(b) Chandragupta Maurya

(d) Samudragupta

80. What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutras) relate to? [2008]

(a) Lengths of sides of a right angled triangle

(b) Calculation of the value of pi

(d) Normal distribution curve

81. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

List-I (Famous Temple)

A. Vidyashankara temple

B. Rajarani temple

C. Kandariya Mahadeo temple

D. Bhimesvara temple

List-II (State)

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Karnataka

3. Madhya Pradesh

4. Orissa

Code:

(a) A -2; B -4; C -3; D-1

(b) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1

(d) A- 1; B-3; C-4; D-2

82. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following? [2009]

(a) Buddhism (b) Jainism

83. There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings? [2010]

(a) Bagh caves (b) Ellora caves

84. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times? [2010]

1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.

2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.

3. The Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only

A nswers:

45. (c)

46. (a) Tamralipta or Tamralipti was the name of an ancient city on the Bay of Bengal corresponding with Tamluk in modern-day India. Tamralipta may have been one of the most important urban centres of trade and commerce of early historic India, trading along the Silk Road with China, by Uttarapatha, the northern high road, the main trade route into the Middle East and Europe; and by seafaring routes to Bali, Java and other areas of the Far East.

47. (a) The didactic works of Sangam period are called as Kilukanakku (18 minor groups) consisting ofTirukurral and Naladiyar. The Aham and Puram poems of the Kilukanakku group composed in post-Sangam period. That’s why R explains A.

48. (a) Both statements are self explanatory. And explain each

other.

49. (b) Both the statements are true but does not explain.

50. (a) Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan empire in 261 BC. Though Ashoka abandoned the policy of physical occupation in favour of policy of cultural conquest after the Kalinga War, yet he retained Kalinga after its conquest and incorporated it into his empire. Thus R explains A.

51. (a)

52. (a) Alexander invaded India in 326 BC. Nandas were ruling over India at that time. The chronological order of these 4 dynasties was: Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Kanvas.

53. (b) The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebid.

54. (b) Painted grey ware was during Later vedic period (1000- 600BC). Ajanta paintings during the Gupta period. Pahari School during the mughal period.

55. (a) Lingaraja Temple was constructed by Anantverman Chodganga, ruler of Orissa. It is located in Bhubaneshwar.

56. (b) To popularize the Mahayana form of Buddhism he convened assembly at Kannauj. The prayag assembly was convened to popularize himself.

57. (c) In 1018, Rajendra conquered Ceylon (Srilanka). Earlier Rajaraja I conquered only half part of it.

58. (d) Vasumitra and Ashavaghosh together presided over the fourth council. In this council Buddhists were divided into Mahayanists and Hinayanists.

59. (a) Cow, Camel, horse and lion were not depicted on seals. Unicorn (bull) was the animal most commonly represented on the seals.

60. (b)

61. (b) India’s largest Buddhist monastery is in Sikkim (not in Ar. P). The hoysalesvara temple located in Halebid, is dedicated to Siva.

62. (b) Pavarana is a Buddhist holy day celebrated on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month. It marks the end of the month of Vassa, sometimes called “Buddhist Lent.” This day marks the end of the rainy season in some Asian countries like Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism is practiced. On this day, each monk (Pali: bhikkhu) must come before the community of monks (Sangha) and atone for an offense he may have committed during the Vassa.

63.(d) The Mudrarakshasa (“The Signet of the Minister”), a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta (4th century CE) narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.

64. (b) Emperor Harsha’s Southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by Pulakesin II, the Chalukya king of Vatapi in northern Mysore.

65. (c)

66. (a) Mrichchhakatika'(The Clay Court) is a Sanskrit play written by Shudraka in 2nd C BC. The main story is about a young man named Charudatta, and his love for Vasantasena, a rich courtesan.

67. (c) Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother, Trishala was the sister (not the daughter) of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka

68.(d) All statements are correct. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in- chief, Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC. The last ruler of Kanva dynasty, Susharma was deposed by the Andhras and Satavahana dynasty came into being.

69. (d) Statement 1 is incorrect as fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka under the presidentship of Vasumitra and Ashvaghosh. Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandra Gupta-II not during Kanishka’s reign. Statement 2 is incorrect as Harsha was not antagonistic to Buddhism when Hieun -Tsang met him.

70.(c) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu (not Sthalabahu). The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Digambaras (not Shvetambaras) after the first council held at Pataliputra (modern Patna) by Sthulbahu.

71. (c) Atharva Veda is a book of magical formula. It contains charms and spells to ward-off evil and disease.

72.(a) The correct chronological order is Shankaracharya(9th Century CE)-Ramanuja( 1017-1137 CE)-Chaitanya( 1436- 1533CE)

73.(c) These princely states were annexed by Lord Dalhousie under Doctrine of lapse. Jhansi- 1953, Sambalpur-1949 and Satara-1948.

74. (c) Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty and Magdha empire came into prominence under him. He was a contemporary of the Buddha. He strengthened his position by marriage alliances. His first wife was the sister of Prasenjit (son of king of Koshala) who was also contemporary of the Buddha.

75.(b) Dantidurga, a feudatory of Chalukyas, founded the Rastrakuta empire in 753 C E (AD) with their capital at Manyakhet.

76.(a) Sindhu was the old name of River Indus and Vita- was the old name of River Jhelum.

77.(a) Alexander Greek, 326 B.C.E.); Sakas (90 B.C.E.) Kushanas (45 C.E.)

78. (b) Statement 1 is incorrect as most of the inscriptions the Andhra Ikshvaku period record either the construction of the Buddhist Viharas or the gifts ma to them which shows that The Ikshvaku rulers Southern India were supporters of Buddhism

79. (d) It was written by samudragupta’s court poet Harisena.

80. (a) this is same as the Pythagoras theorem.

81.(a) Bhimeshwar (Kakinada); Kandariya Mahad (Khajuraho); Rajarani temple (Bhubneshvar Vidyashankara Temple (Sringeri).

82.(b) The Jaina metaphysics is a realistic and relativis’ pluralism. It is called Anekandavada or the doctrine ‘mayness of reality’. Matter and spirit are regarded separate and independent realities.

83.(a) A copper plate inscription of Maharaja Suband recording his donation for the repair of the vihara found at the site of Cave 2. Though, the date of Bagh inscription is missing, his Badwani copper pi inscription is dated in the year (Gupta era) 167 (487

84.(a) Buddha was considered 9^th incarnation of Vishnu. No tribe from Central asia persecuted Buddhists. G dynasty did not oppose Buddhism however, they not even gave them patronage.