Ancient Indian History MCQs

Notes:
The Dilwara Temples are located about 2½ kilometres from Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station. These Jain temples were built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupala- Tejpal, Jain ministers of Dholka, between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and are famous for their use of marble and intricate marble carvings.

Notes:
Samudragupta’s father was Chandragupta I(not to be confused with Chandragupta Maurya of the Mauryan dynasty), and his son, Chandragupta II. Samudragaupta, himself is called the Napoleon of India, for his stunning campaigns which saw him conquer all of what is now India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, in less than 30 years.

Notes:
Atharvaveda is a book of magical formula. It contains charms and spells to ward-off evil and disease.

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The earliest precursors of the Harappan seals were terracotta seals found at Mehrgarh, dated to around 7000 BCE. Mehrgarh is one of the earliest sites of the Indus Valley Civilization in modern-day Balochistan, Pakistan. The terracotta seals found here are simple square stamps, mostly geometric shapes, but already indicating the origins of the more developed Harappan seals with animal motifs that developed later. Mehrgarh provides evidence of early agriculture and settlement before the rise of Harappa.

Notes:
The primary reason attributed by scholars for the spread of Harappan culture across the Northwestern subcontinent establishing new settlements in Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan apart from the Indus core was population expansion and migration from original urban centers like Harappa triggered by accumulating surplus manpower and resources. The secondary colonies expanded trade networks, tapped resources from new regions while decentralization eased supply burdens on the chief cities as the civilization peaked.

Notes:
Extensive fortification walls were erected around the city at Harappa during the later Mature Harappan phase from 2600 BCE onwards. Earlier simple mud brick protections were replaced with stronger 6 meter high walls reinforced with baked bricks on the outside. This indicates growing threats necessitating heavier defences to protect the residents.

Notes:
All the social units during the Rig Vedic Age were based on brotherhood. The Kula or the Family was the basic social unit. The head of the family was known as Kulapa. The Rig Vedic Society followed patrilineal system.

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Gautama or Siddhartha who is the founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC in Lumbini which is situated now in Nepal. He was born in the Sakya Kshatriya clan of Kapilavastu.

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As Gautam Buddha sat in deep meditation he encountered ‘Mara’ which is the Lord of Illusions. Mara perceived that his power was about to be broken so he rushed to distract him from his purpose.

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Gautam Buddha at the age of 35 attained Nirvana or Enlightenment at Gaya in Bihar under a Peepal tree at Uruvela, on the banks of river Niranjana. He came to be known as the Buddha meaning the Enlightened One.