Ancient Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Gathasaptashati was written by the Satavahana king Hala. Hala was the 17th ruler of the Satavahana dynasty and ruled from 20–24 CE. The text is a collection of 700 Prakrit verses written by various poets and poetesses. Most of the poems are about love. The text is considered the most important literary work in Prakrit. It is believed that the text took its formal shape in the early centuries of the Common Era.

Notes:
Before becoming a Buddhist, Menander (an Indo-Greek king) asked Nagasena many questions relating to Buddhism.These questions and Nagasena’s answers are recorded in a form of book known as ‘Milindapanho (or The Questions of Milinda).

Notes:
The IX Mandala of the Rigveda also known a Soma Mandala is dedicated to Soma Pavamana (purifying Soma) i.e. the sacred potion Somaras. It is made from the plant of the same name. Basically the Rigveda refers to the drink, the plant and the God with the same name Soma. It was believed to be the drink of Gods.

Notes:
The Bodhisattva, Vajrapani, holds a thunderbolt like the deity Indra of Hinduism and fights against evil and sin. Avlokitesvara or Padmapani is the lotus bearer; Majushri holds a book describing 10 paramitas ( spiritual perfections); Maitreya is the future Buddha; Ksitigarbha is the bodhisattva of hell-beings and guardian of purgatories; while Amitabha is Buddha of heaven and the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light.

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The sister of Harshavardhan, Rajyasri was married to Grahavarmana, King of Kanauj. He was the last ruler of Kanauj belonging to the Maukhari royal dynasty.

Notes:
As per the Arthashastra of Chankya, Samaharta was the Chief Collector general of revenue that supervises the collection of revenue from the whole kingdom.Pradeshtri was known as the Divisional Commissioner. They were the modern district magistrates and in charge of district. They were to make tours once in every 5 years to inspect the entire administration of the areas under control. Antapal was known as the Governor of the frontier.

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Manu Smriti (Pre-Gupta period) is the oldest Smriti.

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Raja Raja Chola I, popularly known as Raja Raja the Great, is one of the greatest emperors of the Tamil Chola Empire of India who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. By conquering several small kingdoms in South India, he expanded the Chola Empire. Rajaraja Chola conquered peninsular South India, annexed part of the Rajarata kingdom in present-day Sri Lanka, and occupied Maldives islands.

Notes:
There is a close resemblance between various types of terracotta games-men found in Lothal and modern chessmen. That led to some scholars claim that Chess had its origin in games of the Indus Valley Civilization. However, other scholars believe that Chess originated in India as Chaturanga between 400 BC to 400 AD.

Notes:
First Rajgir, Second vaishali, Third patliputra
Fourth Buddhist Council is the name of two separate Buddhist council meetings first in Sri Lanka and another at Sarvastivada school, in Kashmir around the First Century AD.