Ancient Indian History MCQs

Notes:
The Vakataka dynasty was founded by Vindhyashakti in the mid-3rd century CE. Established in 255 AD, the Vakatakas emerged as a significant power in the Deccan after the decline of the Satavahana dynasty. The dynasty is noted for its patronage of art, architecture, particularly the Ajanta Caves, and literature. Pravarsena I, one of its most renowned rulers, performed four Ashwamedha sacrifices. The Vakatakas also played a critical role in the political and cultural landscape of ancient southern India.

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Robert Bruce Foote was a British geologist and archaeologist who conducted geological surveys of prehistoric locations in India for the Geological Survey of India.

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Charmanvati is the ancient name of Chambal. There is a verse in Nadistuti sukta of Rig-Veda, hymn of praise of rivers which mentions the following 10 rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sutudri, Parusni, Asikni, Marudvrdha, Vitasta, Arjikiya, and Susoma. The Shutudri was Sutlej, Parushni was Ravi, Asikni was Chenab and Vitasta was Jhelum. The 5 rivers Sutudri, Parusni, Asikni, Vitasta, and Vipas all were tributaries of Sindhu River. Together with Sarasawti and Sindhu, these 5 rivers constituted the Sapta Sindhu

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The Indus people were greatly reliant on trade. They traded with many different civilizations like Persia, Mesopotamia and China. They were also known to trade in the Arabian Gulf region, central parts of Asia, portions of Afghanistan and northern and western India.
The ancient Mesopotamian civilizations were located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Indus-Mesopotamia relations are thought to have developed during the second half of 3rd millennium BCE, until they came to a halt with the extinction of the Indus valley civilization after around 1900 BCE.

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The Saka Era was founded by Kanishka, the emperor of Kushana Empire. It started from the year 78 A.D. The national calendar is based on the Saka Era. Its first month is Chaitra. It starts from 22 March 1957 along with the Gregorian calendar for the following official purposes: Gazette of India. News broadcast by All India Radio.

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Ramanuja was born to mother Kanthimathi and father Asuri Kesava Somayaji, in Sriperumbudur, near modern Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is believed to have been born in the month of Chaitra under the star Tiruvadhirai.

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It is the largest monument in Halebidu. The temple was built on the banks of a large man-made lake, and sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire. Its construction started around 1121 CE and was complete in 1160 CE.
Hoysala temples have features of both open (outer mantapa) and closed mantapa (innner mantapa). The ceilings of the mantapa are highly ornate bearing mythological figures and floral design.

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The chief  of Aryan society (rajan) was known as the Gopati or Gopa which means the protector of cows whereas the chief queen was called the Mahisi. The society was somewhat monarchical in form.

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In Jainism the Shvetambara ascetic is allowed to have fourteen possessions which includes loin-cloth, shoulder-cloth, etc. Whereas the Digambara ascetic must renounce all possessions, including clothes and is allowed only two possessions which are: Rajoharana and a Kamandalu.

Notes:
The Tipitaka or the Tripitaka means ‘The Three Baskets/Collections’ is one of the earliest compilations of Buddhist
teachings. They are originally written on long and narrow leaves. They are the most important holy books of Buddhism.