Q76. Which of the following were regarded as the hub of Aryan culture during the later Vedic period?
(a) Anga and Magadh
(b) Kosal and Videha
(c) Kuru and Panchal
(d) Matsya and Surasena
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Aryans further moved towards the east in the later Vedic period. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to the expansion of Aryans to the eastern Gangetic plains. During the later Vedic civilization, the Aryans occupied the Upper Gangetic Valley and the Madhyadesa. The Kurus and Panchalas, the Fasas and Usimaras lived in this region. Towards the east, the Aryans penetrated into Kosala, Kasi and Videha, Magadha and Anga.
Q77. Consider the following statements:
The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister VasudevaKanva who usurped the throne.
The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation: 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 the Kanva dynasty, Susharma was deposed by the Andhra and Satavahana dynasty came into being.
Q78. Nalanda University was a great centre of learning, especially in
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Tantra
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Nalanda University was a great centre of Buddhism in learning.
Q79. During which Gupta King’s reign did the Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visit India?
(a) Chandra Gupta I
(b) Samudra Gupta
(c) Chandra Gupta II
(d) Kumara Gupta
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Fa-Hien (Faxian) was a Buddhist Monk who travelled from China to India on foot during the reign of Chandragupta-II.
Q80. Which of the following statements about the Guptas is NOT true?
(a) They ruled mainly over parts of north and central India
(b) Kingship was hereditary and the throne always went to the eldest son
(c) The judicial system was far more developed than in earlier times
(d) Land taxes increased and taxes on trade and commerce decreased
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Although, the Succession of the throne was primogeniture (the eldest son succeeds his father) sometimes nobles and councillors were also elected kings.
Q81. Which of the following were called Sarthavaha?
(a) Brokers
(b) Caravan of traders
(c) Moneylenders
(d) Pilgrims
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Proper rules of conduct of trade were laid by the head of trade guilds, known as Sarthavaha or Srenipramukha. The rules were called Samay and Srenidharma. Taxila, Pushkalavati, Kapisa and Vidisha prospered as trade centres, under the Indo-Greek rulers.
Q82. India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime history of the Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?
(a) As compared to other countries, India had better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times
(b) The rulers of southern India always patronized traders, Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context.
(c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages
(d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context
Q83. The Sunga ruler, Agnimitra was the hero of a book written by
(a) Patanjali
(b) Asvagosha
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Kalidasa
Answer: (d)
Explanation: When Agnimitra was the crown prince, he showed his administrative capability as the governor of the Vidisha region. By virtue of his courage and heroism, he won many battles for the Sunga empire. His heroic deeds seem to have made him a legendary figure. So that Kalidasa, wrote his famous historical drama ‘Malavikagnimitram’, depicting Prince Agnimitra as the hero of the drama.
Q84. Poet Kalidasa lived in the court of-
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Chandragupta Vikrmaditya
(d) Harsha
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Poet Kalidasa lived in the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He wrote- Ritusamhara, Meghdoot, Kumar Sambhav, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Malavikagni Mitra etc.
Q85. Who was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty?
(a) Satkarni I
(b) Hall
(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(d) Yajanasri Satkarni
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The great rulers of the Satavahana dynasty Gautamiputra Satakarni and Sri Yajna Satakarni were able to defeat the foreign invaders like the Western Kshatrapas and stop their expansion.
Q86. Who was the court poet of Harsha?
(a) Bhani
(b) Ravi Kirti
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Vishnu Sharma
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Banabhatta was the court poet (Asthana Kavi) in the court of King Harshavardhana. He wrote the biography of Harsha- ‘Harshacharita’.
Q87. Which of the following dynasties circulated the lead coins?
(a) Nand
(b) Maurya
(c) Satavahana
(d) Kushana
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Satavahana kings mostly used lead as the material for their coins. Next to lead, they used an alloy of silver and copper, called ‘potin’. Most of the Satavahana coins have on one side the figure of an elephant, horse, lion or Chaitya. The other side shows the so-called Ujjain symbol – a cross with four circles at the end of the two crossing lines.
Q88. Who was Rudradaman-I?
(a) Saka ruler of Ujjain
(b) Saka ruler of Takshashila
(c) Saka ruler of Nasika
(d) Saka ruler of Mathura
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Rudradaman I was a Saka ruler from the Western Kshatrapas dynasty. He was the grandson of the celebrated Sah king Chastana. Rudradaman I was instrumental in the decline of the Satavahana Empire.
Q89. Chinese pilgrim who visited India during Harsha Vardhan’s period was-
(a) Fa-Hien
(b) I-Tsang
(c) Nishka
(d) Hiuen Tsang
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Hiuen Tsang visited Nalanda Vishwa Vidyalaya in the reign of Harshavardhan.
Q90. Arrange the following in their chronological order:
Banja of Gujar – Pratihara dynasty
Hindushahi of Punjab and Kabul
Rashtrakutas of Deccan
Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 1 2 3
(c) 2 3 1 4
(d) 3 1 2 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The correct chronological order is:
Rashtrakutas of Deccan, Banja of Gujar—Pratihara dynasty, Hindushahi of Punjab and Kabul, Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani. Rashtrakuta dynasty, the Hindu dynasty that ruled the Deccan and neighbouring areas of India from about 755 to 975 CE.
Gurjara—Pratihara dynasty, either of two dynasties of medieval Hindu India. The line of Harichandra ruled in Mandor, Marwar (Jodhpur, Rajasthan), during the 6th to 9th centuries CE, generally with feudatory status. The line of Nagabhata ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj during the 8th to 11th centuries.
The Chalukya dynasty was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century CE. During this period, they ruled as three related, but individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the “Badami Chalukyas”, ruled from their capital Vatapi (modern Badami) from the middle of the 6th century. Pulakesin II (609 – 642) CE. After the death of Pulakesin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan.
Q91. The Sangam text Tolkappiyam is work on
(a) Astronomy
(b) Grammar
(c) Music
(d) Medicine
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Tolkappiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language and the earliest extant work of Tamil literature written by Tholkappiyar.
Q92. Gupta Dynasty was famous for-
(a) Art and architecture
(b) Imperialism
(c) Revenue and land reform
(d) None of these
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Gupta period is called ‘The Golden Age of India’ as there was no progress made in the field of science, mathematics, art, literature and philosophy.
Q93. Who was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to assume the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja?
(a) Srigupta
(b) Chandragupta I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Chandragupta II
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Chandragupta I was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to assume the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’ Chandragupta I assumed the high-sounding title of Maharajadhiraja (Great King of Kings). Conceding the importance of his wife, Chandragupta issued gold coins in the joint names of himself, his queen Kumaradevi and the Lichchhavi nation. Emboldened by his success, he established a new era.
Q94. Who has complimented Samudragupta as the ‘Indian Napoleon’?
(a) Radhakumud Mukherji
(b) A. V. Smith
(c) R. N. Dandekar
(d) R. C. Majumdar
Answer: (b)
Explanation: AV Smith complimented Samudragupta as the Indian Napoleon. Samudragupta embarked upon a policy of conquest. In fact, Digvijay became the ultimate call of his life. For his military achievements, he has been aptly complemented by the historian AV Smith as the Indian Napoleon. He has described Samudragupta as the Hero of Hundred Battles.
Q95. The Gupta king who assumed the title of ‘Vikramaditya’ was-
(a) Skandagupta
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Chandragupta – II
(d) Kumaragupta
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Chandragupta-II was one of the prominent Gupta emperors. He reigned between 380 AD – 415 AD. He was the first Gupta ruler who assumed the title of ‘Vikramaditya’ and ‘Sakari’.
Q96. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by the 1st century AD.
Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
The concept of sine of an angle was known in the 5th century AD.
The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in the 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Q97. The Huns invaded India during the reign of
(a) Chandragupta II
(b) Kumargupta- I
(c) Skandgupta
(d) Budhagupta
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Hunas invaded India during the reign of Skandgupta. Hunas were Iranian-speaking Xionite tribes who, via Khyber Pass, entered India at the end of the 5th or early 6th century and were defeated by the Hindu Gupta Empire. In its farthest geographical extent in India, the Huna Empire covered the region up to Malwa in central India.
Q98. Match List-I and List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:
List-I
List-II
A. Fahien
1. Indian had no sense of history
B. Alberuni
2. There was no provision of death sentence
C. Heiun Tsang
3. Indian yield more than fairness required
Codes: A B C
(a) 2 1 3
(b) 1 2 3
(c) 3 2 1
(d) 1 3 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Fa-Hien – there was no provision of a death sentence.
Alberuni — Indians had no sense of history.
Hein-Tsang — Indian yield more than fairness required.
Both Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang had seen several stone structures built by Ashoka in Pataliputra. These structures were intact when Fa-Hien stayed in the city for three years to learn Sanskrit during 399 and 415 AD.
Alberuni (973 – 1048 and Firdausi), “commissioned” by Mahmud of Ghazni to produce his monumental commentary on Indian philosophy and culture Kitab fi tahqiq ma li’l-hind. “In his search for pure knowledge, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest minds in Islamic history.” RomilaThapar calls him “perhaps the finest intellect of central Asia. His observations on Indian conditions, systems of knowledge, social norms, religion … are probably the most incisive made by any visitor to India.
Q99. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:
List-I(Authors)
List-II (Historical Kavyas)
A. Hemachandra
1. Dvyasraya Kavya
B. Jayanka
2. Navasahshank Charita
C. Padmagupta
3. Prithviraja Vijaya
D. Sandhyakar Nandi
4. Rama Charita
Codes: A B C D
(a) 1 3 2 4
(b) 2 4 3 1
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 4 2 1 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The correct match-list of authors and Kavyas is:
List-I(Authors)
List-II (Historical Kavyas)
A. Hemachandra
Dvyasraya Kavya
B. Jayanka
Prithviraj Vijaya
C. Padmagupta
Navasahshank Charita
D. Sandhyakar Nandi
Rama Charita
Samrat Hemachandra Vikramaditya (also known as Hemu Vikramaditya, Raja Vikramaditya or simply Hemu) (1501 – 5 November 1556) was a Hindu emperor of north India during the sixteenth century AD.
The Prithviraj Vijay is a contemporary account of the 12th century the Kingdom of Ajmer ruled by the Chauhan clan. In 1192, outlying portions of the kingdom fell to invading Turks, and the capital Ajmer later in 1195, but other parts under the Chauhan Rajaputras continued to resist the invaders for more than a century. The text helps to dispel many myths from that period that have developed in later writings, for example, the establishment of a Sufi shrine in Ajmer. He was the grandson of Pinaka Nandi and the son of Prajapati Nandi, the Sandhi-Vigrahika (minister of peace and war) of the Pala emperor Ramapala. He wrote the epic poem Ramacharitam.
Q100. Mention the centre of the Roman trade during the Sangam Age-
(a) Madurai
(b) Arikamedu
(c) Poompuhar
(d) Musiri
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Greeks and Romans are referred to as Yavanas in Sangam literature. There was a lot of export activity (Spices, Pearls, Medicinal Plants) From Tamil to Greece and Rome Musiri, Thondi, Puhar, Kumari, Konkani were the important Sea-ports.
