MAURYANS march 9
1. During the reign of Bindusara there was unrest at
(a) Ujjayini
(b) Pushkalavati
(c) Takshasila
(d) Rajagriha
Ans: c
2. Chandragupta figures prominently in a work of
(a) Bhasa
(b) Visakhadatta
(c) Asvaghosa
(d) Bhavabhuti
Ans: b
3. The Kharosthi script was derived from
(a) Pictographs
(b) Cuniform script
(c) Aramaic
(d) Brahmi
Ans: c
4. Which of the following were in the vijita of Asoka?
(1) Yona
(2) Satiyaputa
(3) Gandhara
(4) Bhoja
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Ans: c
5. During the Mauryan period Lakshandhyaksha was
(a) an officer possessing knowledge of the characteristics of animals
(b) a professional astrologer
(c) an official in charge of road marks
(d) an official in charge of mint
Ans: d
6. "No one is allowed to marry outside his own caste, or to exchange one profession of trade for another or to follow more than one business." This observation was made by
(a) Megasthenes
(b) Fa-Hien
(c) Hiuen-Tsang
(d) Al-Biruni
Ans: a
7. Which one of the following pairs does not match?
(a) Rajasekhara : Kavyamimamsa
(b) Udddyotana : Kuvalayamalakaha
(c) Ballalasena : Dayabhaga
(d) Lakshmidhara : Krityakalpataru
Ans: d
8. The two Indian deities described by Megasthenes as Dionysus and Heracles are identified respectively with
(a) Surya and Kartikeya
(b) Siva and Krishan
(c) Indra and Yama
(d) Agni and Varuna
Ans: b
9. Most of the Asokan inscriptions are in Prakrit lan- guage because it was
(a) the language of the State
(b) understood by a majority of the people
(c) used by the Tathagata Buddha
(d) the only language known at that time
Ans: b
10. Which one of the following is not known from Ashokan inscriptions?
(a) He appointed followers of Buddhist religion high government posts
(b) He warned the monks and nuns that they would be punished if they create schism in Buddhi
(c) He categorically expressed his faith in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
(d) He made pilgrimages to holy Buddhist places In which of the following is the name Asoka found
Ans: a
11. In which of the following name of Ashoka is found
1. Nittur edict of Asoka
2. The Allahabad pilllar inscription of Samudragupta
3. Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman
4. Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 3 and 4
Ans: b
12. The inscriptions of Asoka are found in
(a) Kharoshthi and Brahmi
(b) Kharoshthi, Brahmi and Greek
(c) Kharoshthi, Brahmi and Aramaic
(d) Kharoshthi, Brahmi, Greek and Aramaic
Ans: d
13. Megasthenes states: There was no slavery in India. This statement must have been made because
(a) There was absence of slavery in India
(b) Slavery was not prevalent in India in the extreme form as he had seen in Greece
(c) He moved only with the king and elites in the capital
(d) He wrote this on hear-say
Ans: b
14. The most important source of information for the municipal administrative system of the city of Pataliputra in the Mauryan empire is
(a) Indica
(b) Mudrarakshasa
(c) Asokan inscriptions
(d) Arthasastra
Ans: a
15. Which one of the following refers to the Mauryas as Kshatriyas?
(a) The Mudrarakshasa
(b) The Greek writers
(c) The Arthasastra
(d) The Divyavadana
Ans: d
16. Which one of the following is the most reliable and accurate evidence for fixing the date of Asoka?
(a) Ceylonese chronicles mentioning his contemporaneity with Devanampiya Tissa
(b) Asoka's inscriptions referring to foreign kings
(c) The Puranic literature referring to the genealogy and chronology of the Mauryan rulers
(d) Pali canonical literature referring to the holding of Buddhists Councils
Ans: b
17. Which of the following kings have left inscriptions mentioning the Sudarsana lake?
1. Asoka
2. Rudradaman
3. Samudragupta
4. Skandagupta
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 2 and 4
Ans: d
18. Assertion (A) : Patanjali attests that during the Mauryan times, new cults and superstitions were introduced for the sake of money.
Reason (R): The treasury needed to be adequately filled to meet any unforeseen economic crisis in the kingdom.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: a
19. Which of the following formed the basis of the material culture in the Mauryan period?
1. Intensive use of iron.
2. Abundance of punch-marked coins.
3. Plenty of NBPW.
4. Use of burnt bricks.
5. Use of ring-wells.
Select the correct answer by using the codes given
below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(b) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: d
20. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Fourteen major Rock Edicts - Various Principles of Dhamma
(b) Seven Pillar Rock Edicts - Appendix to Rock Edicts
(c) Bhabru Inscription - New Administration by Asoka
(d) Barabar Cave inscriptions - Asoka's tolerance
Ans; c
21. Who among the following had referred to the lost glory and splendour of Pataliputra?
(a) Cosmas
(b) Fa-hien
(c) Huien Tsang
(d) Megasthenes
Ans: b
23. Assertion (A): The Arthashastra of Kautilya pro- vided for the office of the superintendent of trade. Reason (R): The State engaged in extensive trade.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: b
24. The niravasita (excluded) and aniravasta (not ex- cluded) shudras have been referred to by
(a) Yaska in the Nirukta
(b) Panini in the Ashtadhyayi
(c) Kautilya in the Arthashastra
(d) None of the above
Ans: c
25. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I List II
A. Kautilya 1. The householder should not quarrel with a slave
B. Manu 2. There are fifteen kinds of slaves
C. Yajnavalkya 3. No Arya can be a slave
D. Narada 4. Nobody can be enslaved without his consent
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 3 4 2
(b) 1 3 2 4
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 3 1 2 4
Ans: c
26. Which one of the following rulers granted land to high officials for their maintenance?
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Ashoka
(d) Harshavardhana
Ans: d
27. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Names of the territories) List II (Their capitals)
1. Tosali A. Uttarapatha
2. Pataliputra B. Avantirattha
3. Takshashila C. Prasii
4. Ujjayini D. Kalinga
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 4 3 1 2
(b) 3 4 2 1
(c) 4 3 2 1
(d) 3 4 1 2
Ans: b
28. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List I (King who presented List II (Gifts)
Gifts to their Contemporaries)
A. Sandrocottus 1. 80 talents of stamped silver
B. Seleucus 2. A large portion of Ariana
C. Ambhi 3. Sweet wine and dried fig
D. Antiochus (1 Soter) 4. 500 elephants
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 4 2 1 3
(c) 2 4 3 1
(d) 4 2 3 1
Ans: c
29. That Bhagavatism first grew up around the Yamuna in Mathura district is evident from the account of
(a) Justin
(b) Arian
(c) Megasthenes
(d) Strabo
Ans: c
30. Which one of the following is NOT true of the punch marked coins?
(a) They are the earliest extant coins in India
(b) They bear stamps of more than one punch
(c) Symbols of different types are represented on them
(d) They always bear inscriptions of the issuers
Ans: d
31. Which one of the following objects of Roman manu- facture has been most abundantly found in India?
(a) Pot-sherds
(b) Bronze icons
(c) Lamps
(d) Coins
Ans: d
33. Match List I with List II and select the corred answer using the codes given below :
List I List II
(Type of Spies) (Nature of Their Work)
A. Gudhapurushah 1. Courtesans
B. Samsthah 2. Wandering spies
C. Sancharah 3. Secret emissaries
D. Rupajivah 4. Stationary spies
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 3 4 2 1
(d) 4 3 1 2
Ans: b
34. The medium of exchange prevalent during the Mauryan period was
(a) Kapaddaka-purana
(b) Churni
(c) Pana
(d) Dinara
Ans: c
35. The following Chinese travellers visited India:
1. I tsing
2. Fa-hien
2. Wang-Hieun Tse
4. Huen-Tsang
The correct chronological order of their visit is
(a) 2, 4, 1, 3
(b) 4, 2, 3 ,1-
(c) 4, 2, 1, 3
(d) 2, 4, 3, 1
Ans: d
36. Which one of the following inscriptions refers to the invasion of the Hunas during the reign of Skandagupta?
(a) Mathura
(c) Junagarh
(b) Bhitari
(d) Sanchi
ans: b
37. Consider the following rulers:
1. Bimbisara
2. Bhitari
3. Asoka
4. Rudradaman
Who among them are associated with the Sudarasan Lake?
(a) 1 and 3
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Ans: d
38. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I List II
A. Sanchi Stupa 1. Kanishka
B. Pagoda at Purushapura 2. Kharavela
C. Hathigumpha inscription 3. Ashoka
D. Shinkot inscription 4. Menander
5. Antialkidas
Codes: A B C D
(a) 3 2 4 1
(b) 3 1 2 4
(c) 4 1 5 2
(d) 5 3 2 4
Ans: b
39. Which one of the following statements is NOT found in Megasthenes Indica?
(a) "India produces fruit and grain twice a year"
(b) "Indians neither invade other men, nor do the other men invade the Indians"
(c) "The Indian tribes number in all 118"
(d) "The skins of gold-mining ants are like those of leopards"
Ans: c
40. Consider the following scripts:
1. Brahmi
2. Kharoshthi
3. Greek
4. Aramaic
Scripts used in Ashokan inscription include
(a) 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: d
41. The Mauryan king who wanted a Sophist from Greece in his court was
(a) Chandragupta
(b) Bindusara
(c) Asoka
(d) Kunala
Ans: c
42. Which one of the following sculptures does NOT belong to the Mauryan period?
(a) Sarnath lion capital
(b) Dhauli elephant
(c) Standing Buddha from Mathura
(d) Rampurva bull
Ans: c
43. Consider the following Vaisnavite concepts:
1. Chaturvyuha
3. Dashavatara
2. Panchavrisnivira
The correct chronological sequence of these concepts is
(a) 1, 3, 2
(b) 1, 2, 3
(c) 3, 1, 2
(d) 2, 1, 3
Ans; d
44. Assertion (A): Chandragupta instigated revolt against Greek Satraps.
Reason (R): Chandragupta had visited the camp of Alexander.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: b
45. A bilingual Asokan inscription, inscribed in Gre and Aramaic, is found at
(a) Mansehra
(b) Puskalavati
(c) Sabhazgarhi
(d) Kandahar
Ans: d
46. Sudama cave was dedicated to
(a) Jaina monks
(b) Buddhist monks
(c) Ajivaka saints
(d) Pasupata saints
Ans: c
47. An intelligent appreciation of the relative values of different trade-routes in India is contained in
(a) Arthasastra of Kautilya
(b) Ptolemy's Geography
(c) Indica of Megasthenes
(d) Pliny's Natural History
Ans: a
48. Which one of the following poets of the Sangam age has referred to a Mauryan expedition against a Tamil chieftain?
(a) Paranar
(b) Avvaiyar
(c) Ilango Adigal
(d) Mamulanar
Ans: d
49. Match List-I (Names of Kings) with List -11 (Texts mentioning their names) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List-I List-II
A. Grahavarman 1. Rajatarangini
B. Pusyamitra 2. Mudraraksasa
C. Lalitaditya Muktapida 3. Harsacharita
D. Chandragupta Maurya 4. Malavikagnimitra
Codes: A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 4 3 1 2
(d) 3 4 2 1
Ans: b
Which one of the following sites can be identified with Samapa, an administrative centre under the Mauryas?
(a) Brahmagiri
(c) Maski
(b) Jaugada
(d) Ujjain
Ans: d
Match List-I (Types of marriages) with List-II (Their characteristic feature) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I List II
A. Daiva 1. Bride's father receives a pair of cow and bull from the bride- groom
B. Arsa 2. Bride is taken away by force and married
C. Asur 3. Father gives the daughter with ornaments
D. Raksasa 4. Father gives daughter to a priest
5. Bridegroom pays the price of the bride
Codes: A B C D
(a) 1 4 3 5
(b) 4 1 5 2
(c) 3 4 5 2
(d) 4 1 2 5
Ans: b
52. Assertion (A): The Mauryan kings did not make grants of villages on religious grounds. Reason (R): Cultivators revolted against land grants.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: c
53. Kumarila was an Acharya of
(a) Mimansa
(b) Samkhya
(c) Vaiseshika
(d) Vedanta
Ans; a
54. Consider the following Mauryan rules:
1. Asoka
2. Dasaratha
3. Brithadratha
4. Kunal
Who among them the title of Devanampiya ?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: b
55. As per, the Allahabad Pillar inscription, in which one of the following ways the kings of South India were treated by Samudragupta?
(a) violent extermination
(b) capture and release
(c) permanent subjection
(d) total displacement followed by annexation of territory
Ans: b
56. The passage, "Where reigns the Greek king name Amtiyoga and beyond the realm of Amtiyoga in the lands of the four kings Tulamaya, Autekina, Maka and Alikyashudala....", is taken from
(a) Asokan Edict
(b) Dighanikaya
(c) Nearchus (Ancient India as described by Megasthenes)
(d) Srabo's Geography
Ans: a
57. Which one of the following inscriptions of Asoka refers to the grant of concession in land revenue to a village?
(a) Lumbini pillar edict
(c) Girnar rock edict
(b) Sarnath pillar edict
(d) Sanchi pillar edict
Ans: a
58. Match List I (Vedangas) with List II (Their subjects) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Vedangas) List II (Their subjects)
A. Shikha 1. Etymology
B. Kalpa 2. Astrology
C. Nirukta 3. Metres
D. Chhandas 4. Phonetics
5. Ritual
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 4 1 2 3
(b) 3 5 1 4
(c) 4 5 1 3
(d) 3 1 2 4
Ans: c
59. Consider the following:
1. Apavahana
2. Abhishyandavamana
3. Ahimsa
4. Upasaka status
In which of these the Arthasastra and Asokan edit correspond exactly?
(a) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(b) Only 1
(d) 3 and 4
Ans: b
60. Al Biruni in his Katabul Hind had particularly appreciated the Indians for a very high degree of proficiency in
(a) exchanging and communicating their knowledge
(b) raising a poewrful business class
(c) construction of tanks and reservoirs at holy places.
(d) miniature paintings
Ans: c
61. Assertion (A): Inscriptions of Asoka have been scattered throughout his Empire. But no inscription of this Emperor has been discovered from the north- eastern part of the country.
Reason (R): Because this part of the country did not form a part of his Empire.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: a
62. Assertion (A): Desiring to make his Dhamma in- structions percolate down to the common people, Asoka used besides Prakrit, Greek and Aramaic in his Edicts found in the North-Western parts of his Empire.
Reason (R): Greek and Aramaic speaking people formed a part of his population in the North-West.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: a
63. Which one of the following was NOT a feature of Mauryan Royalty according to the Greek writers?
(a) The king was always surrounded by armed men who were bodyguards.
(b) Hunting was favourite pastime of the kings.
(c) Animal fights were arranged for the king's pleasure.
(d) The king's food was tasted by a number of people.
Ans: c
64. Kautilya defines Arthasatra as a branch of knowledge that teaches how to:
(a) acquire (or form) a state and preserve it.
(b) systematically collect revenue including land revenue.
(c) earn wealth, and to learn the techniques for doing so.
(d) learn the way to have meaingful life.
Ans: a
65. James Princep took clues to decipher Asoka's in- scriptions from bilingual records involving:
(a) Brahmi and Aramaic
(b) Brahmi and Cuneiform
(c) Brahmi and Greek
(d) Brahmi and Hieroglyphics
Ans: a
66.The Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta which mentions Kamarupa as a frontier state, records that:
1. Kamarupa was then a big state.
2. The king of Kamarupa had initiated the names of the Gupta Emperors
3. The king of Kamarupa rendered personal obeisance to the Emperor.
4. The king of Kamarupa paid him all kinds of taxes.
Which of these are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Ans: c
67. Arrange the following in the correct chronological order.
1. Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman
2. The beginning of the Saka Samvat
3. Takht-i-Bahi inscription
4. The beginning of the Vikram Samvat
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1-2-3-4
(c) 3-2-1-4
(b) 2 - 3 - 4 - 1
(d) 4-3-2-1
Ans: d
68. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Buddhacharita : Ashvaghosa
(b) Mrichchhakatika : Shudraka
(c) Mudrarakshasa : Vishakhadatta
(d) Brihatsamhita : Aryabhatta
Ans: d
69. Which one of the following inscriptions throws light on the Lakulisa Pasupata Sect?
(a) Eran Inscription of Samudragupta
(b) Mathura Inscription of Chandragupta II
(c) Mandasor Inscription of Kumargupta I
(d) Bhitari pillar inscription of Skandagupta
Ans: b
70. Which one of the following rulers was known as Amitraghata, the 'destroyer of foes'?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusara
(c) Kanishaka
(d) Samudragupta
Ans: b
71. Which one of the following alternatives correctly gives the feature(s) normally noticed in Asokan pillars?
(a) Lustrous polish
(b) Lustrous polish and monolith
(c) Square base and octagonal shape
(d) Lustrouos polish and square base
Ans: b
72. In which of the following inscriptions, does Asoka record open confession of his faith on the Buddhist trinity?
(a) Brahmagiri Minor Rock Edict
(b) Bhabru Minor Rock Edict
(c) The XII Rock Edict
(d) Rummindei Edict
Ans: b
73. Which of the following aspects has NOT been dealt with in the Arthasastra?
(a) Eradication of famine
(b) Method of cultivation
(c) Qualities of the ministers
(d) Spy system
Ans: a
74 Which one of the following kings is associated with the earliest known epigraphic record in India con- taining land-grant information?
(a) Asoka
(b) Karikela
(c) Gautamiputra
(d) Kharavela of Kalinga
Ans: c
75.Where are the Ayaka pillars installed?
(a) Inside the Viharas
(b) Inside the Chaitya halls
(c) On the Anda of the Stupas
(d) On the Medhi of the Stupas
Ans: b
76. Match List-1 (Inscription) with List-II (Ruler) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Inscription) List II (Ruler)
A. Saranatha Buddhist image inscription 1. Heliodorus
B. Mathura Pillar inscription 2. Rudradman
C. Besanagar Garuda pillar inscription 3. Kanishka
D. Junagadh inscription 4. Huvishka
5. Kharavela
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 3 2 1 4
(b) 1 4 5 2
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 1 2 S 4
Ans: c
77. Kanishka was a great patron of art and literature. Which of the following personalities adorned his Court?
(a) Aswaghosa, Parsva, Vasumita and Charaka
(b) Aswaghosa, Nagarjuna, Nagasena and Vasumita
(c) Aswaghosa, Parsva, Hemachandra and Nagarjuna
(d) Aswaghosa, Vasumita, Sanga and Hemchandra
Ans: a
78. Match List-I (Authors) with List-II (Books) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Authors) List-II (Books)
A. Sudraka 1. Duta Kavya
B. Subandhu 2. Saundarananda
C. Mahendravarman-1 3. Mrichchhakatika
D. Asvaghosha 4. Charudatta
5. Mattavilasa Prahasana
Codes: A B C D
(a) 3 5 4 2
(b) 2 4 5 1
(c) 3 4 5 2
(d) 2 5 4 1
Ans: c
79. Which one of the following cities became famous for the art of metal-inlay work in the medieval South India?
(a) Hampi
(b) Bidar
(c) Bijapur
(d) Tanjavur
Ans: d
80. Assertion (A): Megasthenes said that there was no slavery in India at the time of his visit.
Reason (R): Megasthenes could not distinguish slaves from their masters who treated them kindly.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: a
81. Assertion (A): Major Rock Edict No. XIII mention- ing Asoka's conquest of Kalingas, does not appear at Dhauli.
Reason (R): Asoka did not want the people of Kalinga to be reminded of his conquest.
Codes:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: c
82. Consider the following statements:
1. Brahmans were exempted from execution or death penalty in all the ancient Indian scriptures, texts and law books.
2. Dayabhaga, a treatise on inheritance was written by Jimutavahana of 12th century.
3. The Arthashastra deals with crime and punishment and suggests many forms of execution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d
83. Which one of the following deals with the schemes of Chanakya to foil the designs of a minister of the last of the Nandas, and to place Chandragupta Maurya on the throne?
(a) Mricchakatika
(b) Mudrarakshasa
(c) Pratijnayaugandharayana
(d) Vikramorvaiyam
Ans: b