Challenge Prelims V1.0 – Day 29 – GS Paper (Ancient History)

1. Which of the following statements is not correct regarding Satavahanas?

2. Consider the following statements with regard to the state of agricultural system in the Mauryan period:

1. The Mauryan state provided irrigation facilities and regulated water supply.
2. The Mauryan state employed slaves in agriculture.
3. To bring the virgin soil under cultivation, the new peasants were allowed remission in tax and supplied with cattle, seeds and money.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

3. With reference to post-Mauryan trade and commercial activities, consider the following statements:

1. There was an enormous drain of gold from the India to Roman Empire.
2. The text called Milindpanho recorded various craft activities which were thriving at that time.
3. The guilds served as banks receiving deposits from the public.
4. The famous eastern coast ports include Broach, Sopara, Tamralipti and Arikamedu.

How many of the statements above are correct?

4. In the context of the Mauryan age, the term sannidhata refers to:

5. With reference to the Satavahana dynasty in the Deccan region, consider the following statements:

1. Satavahana kings claimed to be Brahmanas but they rejected the fourfold varna system and promoted social equality.
2. Satavahana dynasty was founded by Gautamiputra Satakarni by defeating the Kanva dynasty in the post-Maurya era.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

6. How many of the following were the major political centres of the Mauryan empire?

1. Tosali
2. Ujjaiyini
3. Manyakhet
4. Taxila
5. Survanagiri

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

7. With reference to the Mauryan empire, consider the following statements:

1. The Mauryan empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
2. The Sudarshana lake at Girnar was built during the Mauryan rule.
3. The Mauryan dynasty was succeeded by the Shunga dynasty in north India.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

8. Consider the following statements regarding Gandhara and Mathura schools of art:

1. Mathura school of art produced sculptures of themes related to Buddhism only.
2. Kushan empire played a major role in the development of the Gandhara school of art.
3. Kushana King, Kanishka’s headless statue was produced at Mathura.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

9. With reference to the administrative and taxation system of the Mauryan Empire, which of the statements is correct?

10. With reference to the Mauryan Coinage, consider the following statements:

1. The karshapana coins of the Mauryan Period specifically mentioned about the issuing authority.
2. Punchmarked coins, mostly of silver include symbols such as crescent-on-arches, peacock-on-arches, etc.
3. The coins were mostly made up of gold and silver.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

11. Consider the following statements regarding Rudradaman I:

1. He issued the first-ever long inscription in chaste Sanskrit.
2. It was during his reign that Saint Thomas is said to have come to India for the propagation of Christianity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

12. Mauryans in ancient India controlled numerous economic activities through an elaborate economic administration. In this context, in how many of the following areas did the state maintained a monopoly?

1. Mining
2. Sale of liquor
3. Manufacture of arms

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

13. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Satavahana administration had significant military elements.

Statement-II: The tribals in the Deccan did not reconcile to the new territorial rules of Satvahana easily.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

14. With reference to the Saka rulers, consider the following statements:

1. The Vikram Samvat is reckoned with the event of the Saka ruler Vikramaditya defeating the ruler of Ujjain.
2. Saka ruler Rudradaman-I held a Buddhist council in Kashmir to finalize the doctrines of the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

15. He is one of the most famous Kushan rulers, known for erecting a monastery and a huge stupa in Peshawar. He was a great patron of art and Sanskrit literature and started a calendar in 78 A.D. which is now known as the Saka era.

Identify the ruler from the passage given above.