1.Which of the following is not a correct feature of Rig-Vedic economy?
[A] Primarily pastoral economy
[B] Cultivation of multiple cereals
[C] Abundance of wage earners
[D] Sedentary agriculture society
Answer: C [ Abundance of wage earners ]
Notes:
here are no evidences of wage earners in agriculture in Rig-Vedic Economy.
2 The conversation between Nagasena and Menander-I related to Buddhism is recorded in which book?
[A] Milindapanho
[B] Panhomenanda
[C] Nagapanho
[D] Menandapanho
Answer: A [ Milindapanho ]
Notes:
Before becoming a Buddhist, Menander (an Indo-Greek king) asked Nagasena many questions relating to Buddhism.These questions and Nagasena’s answers are recorded in a form of book known as ‘Milindapanho (or The Questions of Milinda).
3.Who was the first Saka king in India?
[A] Moga
[B] Rudradaman
[C] Azes
[D] Ghatotkacha
Answer: A [ Moga ]
Notes:
An Indo-Scythian king, Moga (or Maues) was the first Saka king in India who established Saka power in Gandhara and extended supremacy over north-western India.
4.Gautma Buddha’s mother ‘Mahamaya’ belongs to which tribe?
[A] Pala
[B] Gupta
[C] Kushan
[D] Koliya
Answer: D [ Koliya ]
Notes:
Gautma Buddha’s mother ‘Mahamaya’ belonged to Koliya tribe and she married Suddhodhana, who was a king of Sakya clan. The Sakya and Koliya ruled on opposite banks of the Rohni river in current Rupendehi District of Lumbini, Nepal. Both of them were republics.
5.One of the writers of the Dharmashashtra disapproved the practice of Sati declaring it as an act of suicide. Identify him from the given options:
[A] Angiras
[B] Medhatithi
[C] Usana
[D] Visnu
Answer: B [ Medhatithi ]
Notes:
Medhatithi is one of the oldest and most famous commentators on the Manusmriti. He considered sati system identical to suicide, which was forbidden by the Vedas. One shall not die before the span of one’s life is run out.
6.Who was the founder of Chalukya Dynasty ?
[A] Vishnuvardhan
[B] Pulakesin I
[C] Kirtivarman I
[D] Pulakesin II
Answer: B [ Pulakesin I ]
Notes:
The founder of Chalukya dynasty, Pulakesin I established a small kingdom with Badami (or Vatapi) as its capital in Bijapur District, Karnataka
7.In which year, Ashoka invaded Kalinga?
[A] 261 BC
[B] 235 BC
[C] 285 BC
[D] 275 BC
Answer: A [ 261 BC ]
Notes:
The Mauryan emperor, Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BC and after a fierce battle Kalinga was conquered. The 13th rock edict of Ashoka elaborates the Kalinga war.
8.Who was the Syrian ambassador in the court of Bindusara?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Dimachos
[C] Dionysius
[D] Amitrochates
Answer: B [ Dimachos ]
Notes:
The Syrian ruler, Antiochus I sent Dimachos as an ambassador in the court of Bindusara.
9.Who among the following is known as father of Indian Pre-History?
[A] Robert Bruce foot
[B] Sir William Jones
[C] E.J.H Mackey
[D] Sir John Marshall
Answer: A [ Robert Bruce foot ]
Notes:
Robert Bruce foot was the father of Indian pre-history.
10.Which of the following ancient Tamil Kingdoms came to be known from Sangam Literature?
[A] Chola
[B] Chera
[C] Pandya
[D] All of the above
Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
The history of ancient Tamil kingdoms i.e. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas came to be known from Sangam Literature.
11.Which Ashokan pillar edict mentions the Dhamma Mahamattas?
[A] pillar edict VII
[B] pillar edict VIII
[C] pillar edict VI
[D] pillar edict V
Answer: A [ pillar edict VII ]
Notes:
The Ashokan Pillar Edict-VII mentions the Dhamma Mahamattas. It propagated a proper courtesy to slaves and servants, obedience to parents, respectful behaviour towards Brahmans and Sharmanas and generiosty towards friends, acquaintances and relatives.
12.Purusha sukta is a part of which among the following vedas?
[A] Sam Veda
[B] Rig Veda
[C] Atharva Veda
[D] Yajur Veda
Answer: B [ Rig Veda ]
Notes:
Rig Veda Purusha sukta is the Xth mandal of the Rig Veda that explains the origin of four varnas viz. Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
13.The hymns of regveda were composed by ?
[A] Hotri
[B] Udgatri
[C] Adhvaryas
[D] Nakshotri
Answer: A [ Hotri ]
Notes:
Hotri For Vedic priests viz. Hotri, adhvaryu, udgatri and brahman (brahmin) participated in the shrauta rites and each of them had special attributes. Hotri was the priest chanting the hymns of Rig Veda; adhvaryu chanting the hymns of Yajur Veda; Udgatri chanting the Sama Veda hymns. Brahman priest was the most and supervisor of the entire ceremony and the one chanting the hymns of Atharva Veda.
14.Which of the following Vedanga is related to metrics?
[A] Kalpa
[B] Nirkuta
[C] Chhanda
[D] Shiksha
Answer: C [ Chhanda ]
Notes:
There are six vedangas (limbs of Vedas) evolved for the proper understanding of the Vedas. These are Siksha (phonetics), Kalpa (rituals), Vyakarna (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chhanda (metrics) and Jyotisha (astronomy)
15.Who wrote Mahabhashya?
[A] Panini
[B] Patanjali
[C] Kalidas
[D] Tulsidas
Answer: B [ Patanjali ]
Notes:
Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali. It is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Paini’s treatise, the Ashtadhyayi and Katyayana’s Varttika.
16.Which among the following was the last ruler of Gupta empire?
[A] Vishnugupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Buddhagupta
[D] Kumaragupta II
Answer: A [ Vishnugupta ]
Notes:
Vishnugupta was the last ruler of the Gupta empire. His reign lasted 10 years, from 540 to 550 CE.
17.Which among the following era is identical with Gupta era?
[A] Vikram era
[B] Vallabhi era
[C] Saka era
[D] Harsha era
Answer: B [ Vallabhi era ]
Notes:
Vallabhi era is identical with Gupta era and Vallabhi era followed Gupta era in A.D. 366.
18.In the Indus Valley civilization the Great Granary was found in which among the following sites?
[A] Mohenjodaro
[B] Harappa
[C] Surkotada
[D] Lothal
Answer: A [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
Great Granary was found at Mohen-jo daro, while six small granaries were found at Harappa.
19.Acharanga Sutra is associated with which of the following religions?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Sikhism
[D] Ayyavazhi
Answer: A [ Jainism ]
Notes:
Acharanga is the first of the twelve Angas, part of the agamas (religious texts) which were compiled based on the teachings of Mahavira.
20.Who among the following legendary kings was also known as “Sarvadamana” in his childhood?
[A] Asoka
[B] Bharata
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Samudra Gupta
Answer: B [Bharata]
Notes:
Bharta was also known as was also known as “Sarvadamana” in his childhood. Sarvadamana means the subduer of all. India has been called as Bharatavarsha after him.
21.Which among the following Mahajanpada was located on the junction of two famous ancient Indian Trade routes – Uttarpatha and Dakshinpatha?
[A] Matsya
[B] Surasena
[C] Avanti
[D] Anga
Answer: B [Surasena]
Notes:
Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha were two trade routes of ancient India. Mathura was located at the junction of these two famous trade routes. Shurasena was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura after whom the Surasena Kingdom or mahajanpada and the Yadava sept of Surasenas were named.
22.The Jivaka which is mentioned in Buddhist literature was one among the following?
[A] Mercchant
[B] King
[C] Physician
[D] Police
Answer: C [Physician]
Notes:
Jivaka is the name of doctor during Buddha’s time.
