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1. Which of the following Indian playwright was imitated by Ceylon King Kumaradasa, the author of Janakiharana?
[A] Bharavi
[B] Kalidasa
[C] Bhatti
[D] Vagbhatta
Correct Answer: B [Kalidasa]
Notes:
Kalidasa was Indian playwright imitated by Ceylon King Kumaradasa, the author of Janakiharana.
2. What was “Halivakara” in the Gupta Era?
[A] A kind of Tax
[B] A kind of Play
[C] A kind of Instrument
[D] A kind of Tribe
Correct Answer: A [A kind of Tax]
Notes:
Halivakara is a kind of tax in the Gupta era. Halivakara was a plow tax, paid by every cultivator owning a plow. Some of its taxes include Bali, Bhoga, etc.
3. The Hindu and Jain mythology refer to which among the following as the centre of the universe?
[A] Mount Kailas
[B] Ujjain
[C] Mount Meru
[D] Pushkar Lake
Correct Answer: A [Mount Meru]
Notes:
Mount Meru, also known as Sumeru, is a revered five-peaked mountain within the cosmological frameworks of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It is regarded as the axis mundi, representing the central point of all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual realms.
4. Which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization is located on the banks of River Indus in Larkana District of Pakistan?
[A] Harappa
[B] Mohenjo Dero
[C] Mehrgarh
[D] Suktagendor
Correct Answer: B [Mohenjo Daro]
Notes :
The archaeological site of Mohenjo-Daro is situated along the banks of the Indus River in Pakistan’s Larkana District. Recognized as one of the most significant and well-preserved locations of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished approximately between 2600 and 1900 BCE, Mohenjo-Daro is notable for its intricate urban design, advanced drainage infrastructure, and indications of a highly structured society. This site plays a vital role in comprehending the historical and cultural aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization.
5. Which of the following was most probably the first metal to be used in India?
[A] Iron
[B] Copper
[C] Gold
[D] Silver
Correct Answer: B [Copper]
Notes:
The earliest historical evidence of the use of metal is of the Chalcolithic Age or Stone-Copper Age, which covered the period from 1800 to 800 BC. This period was marked by the use of copper (the first metal to be used in India) as well as stone.
6. The Gandhara School of Art flourished during which of the following periods?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Guptas
[C] Mauryas
[D] Kushans
Correct Answer: D [Kushans]
Notes:
The Kushan period is considered the Golden Period of Gandhara. Peshawar Valley and Taxila are littered with ruins of stupas and monasteries of this period. Gandharan art flourished and produced some of the best pieces of sculpture from the Indian subcontinent.
7. Which of the following Satvahan King’s name is inscribed on one of the gateways of Sanchi Stupa?
[A] Simukha
[B] Kanha
[C] Satakarni
[D] Krishna
Correct Answer: C [Satakarni]
Notes:
Gautamiputra Satakarni, also Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni, was a ruler of the Satavahana Empire in present-day Deccan region of India. His name is inscribed on one of the gateways of Sanchi Stupa.
8. Which of the following facts about Chandragupta is true?
[A] He called his people children.
[B] He trained women to protect his palace.
[C] He converted to Buddhism and rejected war.
[D] He had stone pillars set up through India with Buddhist inscriptions on them
Correct Answer: B [He trained women to protect his palace.]
Notes:
Chandragupta was arguably one of the most apprehensive emperors, harboring a profound fear of assassination. In addition to training women as guards to safeguard the palace, he employed servants to sample his food to guard against poisoning. Furthermore, he constructed hidden chambers within the palace to ensure his safety in the event of an invasion.
9. Which of the following was not known to Indus Valley people?
[A] Silver
[B] Copper
[C] Iron
[D] Bronze
Correct Answer: C [Iron]
Notes:
Variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver was extensively used by the Harappan metal workers. Minor metals like tin, arsenic, lead, antimony etc. were used for alloying but there was no mention of iron.
10. The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora belongs to which of the following religions?
[A] Buddhist
[B] Buddhist and Jain
[C] Hindu and Jain
[D] Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
Correct Answer: D [Hindu, Buddhist and Jain]
Notes:
Ellora, built by Rashtrakutas is located 29 km North-West of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is one of the World Heritage Sites. It is well known for its monumental caves viz. 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu Caves (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain Caves (caves 30–34).
