Q26. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A): The worship of Mother Goddess as a feature of Harappan religion was prevalent in all the main Harappan cities.
Reason (R): The female terracotta figurines have been discovered in large numbers from Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
Codes:
(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 the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The worship of the Mother Goddess was an important feature of the Harappa religion. This perception is not because of the discovery of a large number of female terracotta figurines, but because of certain representations of seals. For instance, one of the discovered seals shows a nude woman, with her legs apart, head downwards and a plant stemming out from her vagina, interpreted as a prototype of the Earth mother, Shakambhari. Also, not all of the female terracotta figurines represented goddesses or had maternal associations. Some of them are believed to have a cultic significance, or as a part of household rituals and may also have been used as toys or decorative items.
Q27. The Jaina literature is known as-
(a) Tripitakas
(b) Epics
(c) Aryasutras
(d) Angas
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Jain literature is known as Angas.
Q28. Which one of the following sequences indicates the correct chronological order?
(a) Shankaracharya–Ramanuja–Chaitanya
(b) Ramanuja–Shankaracharya–Chaitanya
(c) Ramanuja–Chaitanya–Shankaracharya
(d) Shankaracharya–Chaitanya–Ramanuja
Answer: (a) Shankaracharya–Ramanuja–Chaitanya
Explanation: The correct chronological order is Shankaracharya (9th Century CE) – Ramanuja (1017 – 1137 CE) – Chaitanya (1436-1533 CE)
Q29. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:
List-I
List-II
A. Cemeteries H and R 37
1. Daimabad
B. Dockyard
2. Mohenjodaro
C. Pashupati Mahadev
3. Harappa Seal
D. Copper chariot
4. Lothal
Codes: A B C D
(a) 3 4 2 1
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 1 2 3 4
(d) 1 3 2 4
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The correct matching pairs are—cemeteries H and R37 with Harappa, Dockyard and Lothal, Pashupati Mahadev Seal and Mohenjodaro, Daimabad with the copper chariot.
Q30. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
(a) Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco
(b) Nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) Militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) Communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary association founded by Punjabi Indians, in the United States and Canada with the aim of gaining India’s independence from British rule. Key members included LalaHarDayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and RashbehariBose.It had its headquarters in San Francisco.
Q31. The tank of the Great Bath complex at Mohenjo-Daro had stairs on
Northern side
Southern side
Eastern side
Western side
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The tank of the Great Bath complex at Mohenjo-Daro was surrounded by staircases on two sides: the northern well as the southern sides. These staircases surrounding the tank of the building lead to either the roof or the upper storey. Due to the size of the storey and its proximity to the building, which was considered to be a site for ‘ritual bathing’, the room was supposed to be of the chief priest or may have belonged to a group of priests.
Q32. Where was the first Buddhist Council held?
(a) Vaishali
(b) kashmir
(c) Rajagriha
(d) Pataliputra
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha.
Q33. In the Mauryan dynasty, the Kalinga war took place in the year-
(a) 260 BC
(b) 261 BC
(c) 126 BC
(d) 232 BC
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Rock description XIII describes the war of Kalinga. The war took place in 261 B.C.
Q34. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
Avanti
Gandhara
Kosala
Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4.
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Buddh was born in Lumbini, in Kosalakingdom.Buddhdied in Kusinara, in Magadha kingdom. Avanti lay outside the area visited by buddha and was converted to his teaching by his disciple Mahakaccana. Gandhara is the western part of Pakistan & Afghanistan and Buddha never went to Pakistan.
Q35. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Harappa settlement)
List-II (River)
A. Lothal
1. Indus
B. Kalibangan
2. Sutlej
C. Ropar
3. Ravi
D. Harappa
4. Ghaggar
E. Mohenjo-Daro
5. Bhogavo
Codes: A B C D E
(a) 5 4 2 3 1
(b) 2 5 1 4 3
(c) 4 5 2 3 1
(d) 5 4 3 2 1
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The correct matching pairs are – Lothal and Bhogavo, Kalibangan and Ghaggar, Ropar and Sutlej, Harappa and Ravi, Mohenjodaro and Indus.
Q36. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?
(a) Kalsi
(b) Rummindei
(c) Special Kalinga Edict
(d) Maski
Answer: (d) Maski
Explanation: Maski inscription at Raichur doab in Karnataka mentions his personal name, Devanam Priyadasi.
Q37. Bindusara was the son of?
(a) Ashoka
(b) Akbar
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Shivaji
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Second Mauryan Emperor Bindusara (297-273 B.C) was the son of Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Maurya Empire). He was also called Amitraghata (the slayer of enemies).
Q38. Some of the following is/are correct regarding Harappan civilization.
Three principal varieties of wheat occur
Three varieties of barley were cultivated
Lentils were cultivated
Among oilseeds, mustard, linseed and sesamum have been found
Which are those?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 3 and 4
(c) Only 4
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation: All the given statements are correct. Three varieties of wheat occurred in the Harappan Civilization, namely, Triticum aestivum (or bread wheat), Triticum durum and Triticum dicoccum (also called Khapli). Three varieties of barleys were also sown. Wheat and barley are considered to be the most important crops. The cultivation of lentils, mustard, linseed and sesamum has been attested, along with that of the Finger millet, ragi, jowar and bajra.
Q39. Vedic literature is also known as:
(a) Shruti
(b) Smriti
(c) Sanhita
(d) Vedanga
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Vedic literature is also known as Shruti. The literature has been handed down from time immemorial by verbal transmission.
Q40. Who wrote the book ‘Return of the Aryans’?
(a) Bhagwan S. Gidwani
(b) L. D. Kalla
(c) Avinash Chandra Das
(d) D. S. Trivedi
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The book ‘Return of the Aryans’ was written by Bhagavan S. Gidwani. This book tells the epic story of the Aryans – a gripping tale of kings and poets, seers and gods, battles and romance and the rise and fall of civilizations.
Q41. Who of the following led the confederacy of ten kings against Sudasa?
(a) Vishwamitra
(b) Bharadwaja
(c) Vashistha
(d) Atri
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The battle of ten kings is the story of the campaign and the decisive battle connected with sages Vishwamitra and Vashistha. Vishwamitra organized a confederacy against Sudas of all those who had enmity with Sudas.
Q42. The famous ‘Battle of Kings’ between Bharat and the host of ten kings was fought near the river:
(a) Sindhu
(b) Saraswati
(c) Parushni
(d) Vitasta
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The famous Battle of ten kings between Bharat and the host of ten kings was fought near the river of Parushni. In the most important tribal war, the king of Bharata, Sudas was victorious.
Q43. The following map shows four of the sixteen Mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India:
The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are:
(a) Matsya, Cedi, Kosala, Anga
(b) Surasena, Avanti, Vatsa, Magadha
(c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga
(d) Surasena, Cedi, Kosala, Magadha
Answer: (c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga
Q44. The great silk route to the Indians was opened by:
(a) Kanishka
(b) Ashoka
(c) Harsha
(d) Fa-Hien
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Silk Route was established during the reign of the Han Dynasty of China. It connected China with East Europe, Mediterranean countries and Central Asia, passing through India. Silk Route played a major role in the development of international trade during the Kushana’s period.
Q45. Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period?
(a) Tamralipti
(b) Broach
(c) Kalyan
(d) Cambray
Answer: (a) Tamralipti
Explanation: 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 the Far East.
Q46. Which of the following is concerned with the origin of Indian medicine?
(a) Rigveda
(b) Samveda
(c) Yajurveda
(d) Atharveda
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Atharvaveda is concerned with the origin of Indian medicine. It also consists mainly of magical spells and charms.
Q47. Which of the following Purusarthas is not a part of Trivarga?
(a) Artha
(b) Dharma
(c) Moksha
(d) Kama
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Artha, Dharma and Kama are a part of Trivarga. But Moksh is not a part of Trivarga, it is a part of Chaturvarga.
Q48. The expounder of Yoga philosophy was:
(a) Patanjali
(b) Shankaracharya
(c) Jaimini
(d) Gautam
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The ancient Sage Patanjali was an expounder of the Yoga Sutras one of the most important texts of yoga covering all aspects of life. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describe the working of the mind and emotions.
Q49. The word Visamatta was used in the later Vedic Age for:
(a) The king
(b) The priest
(c) The trader
(d) The tax collector
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The word Visamatta was used in the later Vedic age for the king. In the Shatapatha Brahmana, the king is described as a devourer of the people.
Q50. Yavanika or curtain was introduced in Indian theatre by which of the following?
(a) Shakas
(b) Parthians
(c) Greeks
(d) Kushans
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Greeks are believed to have introduced Yavanika (curtains) in Indian Theatre.
