Post Views: 15
1. Who does ‘Kanthaka’ refer to, in the context of Gautam Buddha?
[A] His spiritual teacher
[B] His royal horse
[C] His disciple
[D] His chief advisor
Correct Answer: B [His royal horse]
Notes:
In the context of Gautam Buddha, ‘Kanthaka’ was his royal horse. Kanthaka played a significant role in several instances of the Buddha’s life, most notably when it carried him to the river where he would relinquish his worldly possessions and begin his quest for enlightenment.
2. The University of Nalanda was set up by which Gupta ruler?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta I
[D] Kumargupta II
Correct Answer: C [Kumargupta I]
Notes:
The University of Nalanda was established at Badagoan, Bihar in the 5th century during the reign of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I. Kumaragupta I is recognized as a prominent monarch of the Gupta Dynasty. The institution was initially referred to as the “Nalanda Mahavihara.” This esteemed center of education drew scholars and students from diverse regions, including Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia. The university experienced significant expansion under the leadership of Kumaragupta’s successors, such as Budhagupta, Tathagatagupta, Baladitya, and Vajra, who constructed additional monasteries and temples. For seven centuries, the university thrived. However, in the 12th century, the invader Bakhtiyar Khilji ravaged the monastery, resulting in the deaths of the monks and burned the library.
3. The minister of the Gahadvala King Govindachandra and author of Kalpadruma was _______?
[A] Lakshmidhara
[B] Chandesvara
[C] Vijnanesvara
[D] Apararka
Correct Answer: A [Lakshmidhara]
Notes:
Gahadvala, also known as Gaharwar, was a prominent Indian dynasty associated with Hinduism and Buddhism that governed the kingdom of Kannauj for roughly a century, commencing in the late eleventh century. The dynasty was established by Chandradeva, who seized control of Kannauj around the year 1090 A.D. The zenith of Gahadvala’s influence occurred during the reign of his successor, Govindachandra, from 1114 to 1154. Notably, Lakshmidhara, a minister during this period, contributed significantly to legal scholarship, authoring several important texts, including the Kalpadruma.
4. Which among the following is not among Ashtamahasthanas?
[A] Lumbini
[B] Rajgriha
[C] Sravasti
[D] Taxila
Correct Answer: D [Taxila]
Notes:
The holy places where the four principal events of the Buddha’s life took place are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment), Sarnath (First Sermon), Kusinagar (Death took place). Apart from these four places, there are another four holy places viz. Sravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali and Sankasya, these eight holy places are known as Ashtamahasthanas.
5. Where was the first Jain council held?
[A] Pavapuri
[B] Pataliputra
[C] Jimbhikagrama
[D] Vaishali
Correct Answer: B [Pataliputra]
Notes:
The first Jain council was held in Pataliputra in 300 BC, taking place 160 years after the death of Mahavira. Sthulabhadra presided over this gathering. The council’s outcomes included the compilation of the 12 Angas, which replaced the earlier 14 Purvas that had been lost. Furthermore, this assembly led to the division of Jainism into two separate sects: Svetambara and Digambara. The council was primarily supported by Chandragupta Maurya.
6. Who among the following is the author of ‘Harshacharita’?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Harshavardhan
[D] Bhaskarvarman
Correct Answer: A [Banabhatta]
Notes:
Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana, who wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari.Harshacharita is a Sanskrit work that provides an account of the life and reign of the North Indian emperor Harsha, who ruled from 606 to 647 CE.
7. In the Indus Valley Civilization, the style of script is:
[A] Pictographic
[B] Boustrophedon
[C] Brahmi
[D] Not deciphered yet
Correct Answer: B [Boustrophedon]
Notes:
Indus Scripts are commonly referred to as Boustrophedon scripts, a term derived from ancient Greek that translates to “as the ox turns.” This designation refers to writing systems that alternate their direction. The texts from the Indus Valley Civilization consist of pictographs and symbols that remain undeciphered to this day. These inscriptions are arranged in a manner where one line is written from right to left, followed by the subsequent line written from left to right, exemplifying the “ox turns” format, which contrasts with the orientation of later Indian scripts. Such inscriptions have been discovered on various artifacts, including seals, pottery, tools, and even an ancient signboard. Successfully deciphering these scripts could provide critical insights into the economic structures, political organization, linguistic practices, and belief systems of the Harappan society.
8. In which period, “Arthshastra” was written?
[A] Maurya
[B] Shaka
[C] Gupta
[D] Kushan
Correct Answer: A [Maurya]
Notes:
Arthshastra was written by Kautilya or Vishnugupta or Chanakya, who was a professor at Taxila University and later the prime minister of the Maurya Empire. The manuscript was discovered by Arya Sharma Shashtri in 1904. Arthshastra has been divided in 15 Adhikarans and 180 Prakarans. It is related to money and politics and contains 6000 shlokas.
9. As per Vedic rituals, which among the following is the divine messenger who receives the prayers and conveys them to the heavenly spheres?
[A] Agni
[B] Indra
[C] Varuna
[D] Soma
Correct Answer: A [Agni]
Notes:
The correct answer is Agni. Within the context of Vedic rituals, Agni, the deity of fire, is regarded as the celestial intermediary that accepts human offerings and prayers, transmitting them to the divine sphere. Agni plays a pivotal role in Vedic ceremonies, representing both purity and the link between the terrestrial and the divine. He is frequently called upon in rituals to bestow blessings and ensure protection.
10. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?
[A] Mauryas
[B] Satavahanas
[C] Kushanas
[D] Guptas
Correct Answer: B [Satavahanas]
Notes:
The silver coins minted by the Satavahana dynasty featured portraits and inscriptions in two languages, drawing influence from the Kshatrapa coinage. The rulers of the Satavahana are recognized for producing bilingual coins that displayed the Middle Indo-Aryan language on one face and the Tamil language on the reverse.
