Ancient Indian History MCQs

Notes:
At the 20th anniversary of his enthronement, Asoka announced Lumbini as tax-free and proclaimed only 1/8th part as taxable. Description of this fact is found in the inscriptions of Nigliva and Rumindei.

Notes:
The First Buddhist Council was held at Saptaparni cave near Rajagriha in 72 AD, during the reign of Emperor Ajatsatru. It was held under the Presidentship of Mahakassapa to compile the Dhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka.

Notes:
Belan Valley is located in Uttar Pradesh, India. Archaeological excavation at Mahagara and Koldihwa in the Belan Valley found evidence of rice cultivation dating back to around 7000–6000 BCE. Charred grains of domesticated rice were discovered at these sites. This discovery predates rice findings from other Indian regions.

Notes:
Robert Bruce Foote (1834-1912) was a British geologist and archaeologist, known as father of India’s prehistory. While being employed by Geological Survey of India, he conducted surveys of prehistoric locations in India, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. In 1863, he discovered Paleolithic tools at Pallavaram, Chennai. The tools are now preserved at the Chennai Museum. He served in Baroda for two years after retiring in 1892 and was also invited to Mysuru by the Maharaja.

Notes:
Hunting animals and gathering wild fruits, vegetables and plants were the main occupations of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. They did not practice organized agriculture and were nomadic, moving from place to place for sustenance. Stone tools found at sites like Hunsgi Valley, Kurnool Caves, and Bhimbetka were probably used for skinning animals and cutting meat.

Notes:
Aryans, The Vedic Age – Religion : They personified force of nature and worshipped them as Vayu (air), Maruts (storm), Indra (rain), Varuna (water), Surya (sun), Agni (fire), Prithvi (earth), Aranyani (forest) etc.

Notes:
Malvikagnimitra is a five-act drama based on Sunga king Agnimitra’s love for Vidharbha princess Malvika. It was a Sanskrit play written by Kalidas.

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Fa-hein, the first Chinese Buddhist traveller and monk, came to India during the reign of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). And wrote the book “Si-Yu-Ki” that gives the detail account of the political and social condition of that time.

Notes:
Sutrakritanga is the second agama of the 12 main Angas of the Jain canons. It provides detailed information about the life of Mahavira. It is also known as the Golden Book of Jainism.

Notes:
The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of Gupta Dynasty. It was based on Kautilya’s Arthashastra