UPSC Ancient History Test 1 (Old Year Questions)

Ans b
Violent crime was rare, but the roads and river routes were exposed to brigands as Hiuen – tsang fell victim to them more than once. Criminal law was exceptionally severe. Imprisonment for life was the ordinary penalty for violation of the statute law and conspiracy against the sovereign; prisoners were not treated as human beings. but on festive and joyous occasions they were, however, released. The punishment were of cruel nature as mutilation of the nose, ears, hands or feet being inflicted as the penalty of serious offences. Sometimes the offenders were deported to another country. Ordeals by fire, water or poison were sometimes taken recourse to establish the innocence or guilt of a person. The severity of the criminal law acted as a deterrent to violation of law.

Ans b
11th Ancient NCERT BY R S SHARMA P – 61, 62

Ans c
The more likely accounts of early transplants deal with skin transplantation. The first reasonable account is of the Indian surgeon Sushruta in the 2nd century BC, who used autografted skin transplantation in nose reconstruction rhinoplasty.

Ans b

Ans c

Ans c
The ‘ara-ghatta’ originates from the blend of the words “ara” which means talked and “ghatta” which means pot. There is confirmation to contend that this arrangement of lifting water from open wells was presumably designed in the India of the past.

Ans c

Ans c
Economic History of India By N. Jayapalan (Page 67) The craft guild (Sreni) was headed by a chief called the Elder Uyeshtaka Sansknt, Jethaka Pall), who was assisted by a council of senior craftsmen and merchants. The Jethaka was often the richest craftsman in the trade and his office was hereditary. He was influential and his advice was sometimes sought by the king. Each guild was a corporate body and enjoyed considerable autonomy. h had its own court with full jurisdiction over all members and distinguishing insignia like banners and chamaras, which were carried in festive processions. Major guilds had their own militias, which fought along with the king’s army if required. The guild council framed rules of work and fixed standards, wages and prices. if any member violated a ruic he was tried by the guild court, whose judgement.

Ans b
Just before the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, realized enlightenment, it is said the demon Mara attacked him with armies of monsters to frighten Siddhartha from his seat under the bodhi tree. But the about-to-be Buddha did not move. Then Mara claimed the seat of enlightenment for himself, saying his spiritual accomplishments were greater than Siddhartha’s. Mara’s monstrous soldiers cried out together, “I am his witness!” Mara challenged Siddhartha–who will speak for you? Then Siddhartha reached out his right hand to touch the earth, and the earth itself roared, “I bear you witness!” Mara disappeared. And as the morning star rose in the sky, Siddhartha Gautama realized enlightenment and became a Buddha. Pasted from http://buddhism.about.com/od/eightauspicioussymbols/a/earthwitness.htm

Ans d
Taniyur, is a large village under Chola administrative division.
Eripatti was a special category of land known in South india. This land was donated by individuals, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.
Land grants and generous donations were given to educational institutions like Ghatikas and Mathas. Mathas were residential schools for early education in Pallava kingdoms.

Ans d
Buddha traveled to Rajagaha, capital of Magadha, to visit King Bimbisara. During this visit, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana were converted by Assaji, one of the first five disciples.
Buddha belonged to Shakya clan whose capital was Kapilavastu, and who were later annexed by the growing Kingdom of Kosala during the Buddha’s lifetime

Ans b
Gunpowder was known in India earlier than Babur’s rule. Babur was a descendant of Timurid dynasty or clan of Turco-Mongol lineage, descended from the warlord Timur and led to the establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region.

Ans c
Vijayanagara or “city of victory” was the name of both a city and an empire. The empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula, in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. It was founded by Harihara and Bukka, in 1336. In the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab, they remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi.

Ans c
Authority of the centre diminished as local/feudal powers emerged.

Ans c
Vijayanagara rulers followed an oppressive taxation policy. The prosperity of the empire can be explained through their taxation principles in the following lines. They collected variety of taxes ranging on the nature of lands.
The villages were classified into eight types for tax purpose.

They were:

1)The brahmadeya villages

2) The devadana villages

3) The mathapura villages

4) The sarvamanya villages

5) The kodagi lands

6) Rakta-kodagal lands

7) Guttagi lands

8) The rest of the villages or lands.

The first four types prevailed prior to the Vijayanagar times.

Private owners also paid industries taxes. Merchant guilds were empowered to levy taxes on goods manufactured, sold or transported

Ans b
It was James Prinsep in 1837 who succeeded in deciphering an ancient inscription on a large stone pillar in Delhi which was the edict of Emperor Ashoka.

Ans b
Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1984-1911) was a Pakistani poet considered to be one of the most famous modern Urdu poets. Faiz’s poems: “Sarood-e-shabana”, “Mujh say pehli see muhabat Mairay mehboob nah maang” Chand roz aur mairy jaan” “Boal keh lab azad hain tairay “Tanhaiy” “Doaa” “Subh-e-azad” “Loh-o-qalam” “Tauq-o-dar ka mausam” “Tumharay hussan kay nam” “Nisar mein teri gallion kay” “Irani tulaba key nam” “Shishon ka massiha koi naheen” “Mullaqat” “Humjo tareek rahoon mein maray gaey” “Aey roshanion kay shahar” Africa come back” “Aaj bazaar mein pa bah jolan chalo” “Pass raho” “Munzar” “Yahan say shehr ko dekho” “Khursheed-e-mehshar ki lao” “Jis roz qaza aiey gi” and “Aay sham mehrban ho”.

Ans b
Dantidurga laid the foundation for Rashtrakuta empire by overthrowing the last Chalukyan ruler of Badami, Kirti Varman-II. He built Dasavatara caves at Ellora.

Ans a
Indo-Greeks or Bactrians – 190 B.C. Sakas or Scythians – 90 B.C. Kushanas or Yueh-Chis – 45 A.D.

Ans b
The Ikshvakus of Andhra might have been a distant branch of main Ikshvaku family of Ayodhya established their own kingdom in the Krishna-Guntur region with Amaravati as their capital. They were patrons of Amaravati school of Art centering on Buddhist theme. Buddhism spread to Tibet, Java, Sumatra and Malaysia during the Pala period. ‘Devapala’ permitted the Sailendra ruler of Sri Vijaya (Indonesia) ‘Balaputradeva’ to construct vihara at Nalanda. Dharmapala founded Vikramasila University and revived Nalanda University.