11. Consider the following jurists of medieval India:
- Vijnanesvara
- Hemadri
- Rajasekhara
- Jimutavahana
Who among the above were famous jurists of medieval India? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Only I, II, and III
[B] Only I and IV
[C] Only II and III
[D] All of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only I and IV]
Notes:
Vijnanesvara and Jimutavahana were important jurists of medieval India. Vijnanesvara was a great law-giver, who wrote Mitakshara, a treatise on Hindu law. Jimutavahana was a famous jurist known for his work on Dayabhaga, a treatise concerning inheritance according to Hindu law. Hemadri and Rajasekhara were also distinguished personalities of medieval India but they were not known for their jurisprudential works.
12. Who among the following are “people of yellow complexion, oblique eyes, high cheek bones, sparse hair and medium height.”? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Nordic Aryans
[B] Austrics
[C] Negroids
[D] Mongoloids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mongoloids]
Notes:
Mongoloids are inhabitants of northern, eastern and south-east Asia. Their eyes have a characteristic fold of skin on the upper lid, hair is lank and straight and the height is medium. The group also includes the Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, Thais, Vietnamese and Malays.
13. Which of the following was the name given to the silver coins issued by the Guptas? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] rupaka
[B] karshapana
[C] dinara
[D] pana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [rupaka]
Notes:
In Pre-Gupta and Gupta period the gold coins were called Dinaras derived from Kushanas with a weight of 144 grains. The silver coin was called Rupaka based on Sakas of Ujjaini weighing 32-36 grains. According to Fa-Hsien cowries were very common means of exchange. In Delhi Sultanate gold coins were called Tanka which were equivalent to the Greek drachm standard of 67 grains. The silver coins were called drama.
14. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
I. Lothal : Ancient dockyard
II. Sarnath : First Sermon of Buddha
III. Rajgir: Lion capital of Asoka
IV. Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes: (UPSC Prelims 1998)
[A] I, II, III and IV
[B] III and IV
[C] I, II and IV
[D] I and II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [I, II and IV]
Notes:
Rajgir is an ancient city in the northeast Indian state of Bihar. Surrounded by hills, it’s known for its holy sites. Remains of the Cyclopean Wall, which encircled the city centuries ago, still stand in the center. Close by, Venu Vana park was once home to a monastery built for Buddha. The shield-shaped Japanese Temple contains a huge Buddha statue. Nearby there are hot springs believed to have medicinal properties.
Lion capital was originally placed on the top of the Ashoka pillar at the important Buddhist site of Sarnath by the Emperor Ashoka, in about 250 BCE. The pillar, sometimes called the Aśoka Column, is still in its original location, but the Lion Capital is now in the Sarnath Museum, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
15. Consider the following:
- The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.
- The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism.
Which of the above statements is / are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2006)
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect as most of the inscriptions of the Andhra Ikshvaku period record either the construction of the Buddhist viharas or the gifts made to them which show that the Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were supporters of Buddhism.
16. Which of the following are correctly matched?
River Rig Vedic Age Name
1. Jhelum Vatista
2. Chenab Askini
3. Satluj Parushini
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
The Indus region was drained by the seven rivers which are the Indus also known as Sindhu, and its five tributaries, namely, the Jhelum (Vatista), Beas (Vipasa), Chenab (Askini), Ravi (Purushni), Sutlej (Sutudri), and the Saraswati (modern Ghaggar Hakra).
17. Kujula Kadphises established his supremacy over which of the following areas?
- Kabul
- Kandahar
- Afghanistan
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2, & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3]
Notes:
Kushans were most probably one of the five branches of the Yuezhi confederation. Kujula Kadphises was the first Yuezhi chief and he laid the foundation of the Kushana Empire in India. He established his supremacy over Kabul, Kandahar, and Afghanistan.
18. Consider the following statements regarding Ashoka Dhamma:
- Ashoka Dhamma was inspired by the teachings of Buddha.
- Dhamma mahamatta was appointed who went from place to place teaching people about Dhamma.
- Ashoka inscribed the message of Dhamma on to rocks and pillars.
Choose the correct options from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above ]
Notes:
Ashoka’s Dhamma did not involve worship of a god, or performance of a sacrifice. He felt that just as a father tries to teach his children, he had a duty to instruct his subjects. He was also inspired by the teachings of Buddha. There were a number of problems that troubled him. People in the empire followed different religions, and this sometimes led to conflict. Animals were sacrificed. Slaves and servants were ill treated. Besides, there were quarrels in families and amongst neighbours. Ashoka felt it was his duty to solve these problems. So, he appointed officials, known as the Dhamma mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about Dhamma. Besides, Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars, instructing his officials to read his message to those who could not read it themselves.
19. With reference to Silk Route in ancient India, which of the following is / are correct observations?
- Kushanas were the best known rulers to control the Silk Route.
- During Kushana rule Silk Route was extended upto river Indus.
- Traders along the Silk Route used Kushana gold coins.
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
The best-known rulers who controlled the Silk Route were the Kushanas, who ruled over central Asia and North-West India around 2000 years ago. Their two major centres of power were Peshawar and Mathura. Taxila was also included in their kingdom. During their rule, a branch of the Silk Route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mouth of the river Indus, from where silk was shipped westwards to the Roman Empire. The Kushanas were amongst the earliest rulers of the subcontinent to issue gold coins. These were used by traders along the Silk Route.
20. Consider the following statements regarding Aryabhata:
- He was a mathematician.
- He was an astronomer.
- He wrote Aryabhatiyam in Sanskrit.
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Both 1 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above ]
Notes:
Aryabhata, a mathematician and astronomer, wrote a book in Sanskrit known as the Aryabhatiyam. He stated that day and night were caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis, even though it seems as if the sun is rising and setting every day. He developed a scientific explanation for eclipses as well. He also found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle, which is nearly as accurate as the formula we use today.
