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Ancient History

Asked 7 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2013

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The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery. 2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.

2013History
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India and documented the state of the country at that time. According to his accounts, the roads and river-routes in India were safe from robberies. Punishments for social offenses included cutting off body parts like the nose, ear, or hand, while minor offenses were punished with fines. Ordeals by fire, water, and poison were used to determine guilt or innocence. Based on this information, statement 2 is correct.

Consider the following statements: 1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism. 2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

2006History
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

During the Andhra Ikshvaku period, the rulers were known to support Buddhism as indicated by inscriptions documenting the construction of Buddhist viharas and donations made to them. This contradicts the claim that the Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were against Buddhism.

Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by:

2003History
APulakesin-I
BPulakesin-II
CVikramaditya-I
DVikramaditya-II

Explanation

Emperor Harsha's attempt to move southward was thwarted by Pulakesin II, the ruler of the Chalukya dynasty based in Vatapi, located in northern Mysore, precisely at the Narmada river.

Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly. Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

2001History
ABoth A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

Harshavardhana organized the Prayag Assembly to promote Mahayana Buddhism, but not solely. He aimed to gain popularity among the people. The assertion that he convened the assembly is true, while the reason given is also true but does not fully explain the assertion. The correct option is (b).

Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon?

2001History
AAditya-I
BRajaraja-I
CRajendra
DVijayalaya

Explanation

In the year 1017, it was Rajendra of the Chola dynasty who successfully conquered Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka. Prior to this, Rajaraja I had managed to conquer only half of the island.

Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 7th century B.C.?

1999History
AGandhar
BKamboj
CKashi
DMagadh

Explanation

In the 7th century B.C., Magadha emerged as the most powerful city-state in India among the 16 Mahajanapadas. After years of conflict with other powerful states like Kosala, Vatsa, and Avanti, Magadha, under the rule of Bimbisara from the Haryanka dynasty, emerged as the dominant force in the region.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer (using codes given below the lists) [List-I (Eras): A. Vikrama era, B. Saka era, C. Gupta era, D. Kali era | List-II (Reckoned from): 1. 3102 B.C., 2. 320 A.D., 3. 78 A.D., 4. 58 B.C., 5. 248 A.D.]

1995History
AA-2; B-4; C-5; D-1
BA-1; B-3; C-2; D-4
CA-4; B-5; C-2; D-3
DA-4; B-3; C-2; D-1

Explanation

In this question, you had to match different eras with the correct years they began with. The correct matching is: Vikrama era began in 58 B.C., Saka era began in 78 A.D., Gupta era began in 320 A.D., and Kali era began in 3102 B.C. The eras were initiated by King Vikramaditya, Kanishka, and Chandragupta-I respectively.