Correct Answer:
(D)
Kaushambi
The legend of Udayan-Vasavadatta is related to Kaushambi. Great poet Bhasa has described this story in his drama ‘Svapnavasvadattam’, the love story of Vatsa king Udayan and Vasvadatta, the daughter of Avanti King Pradyot. The story is during the time when Udayan was imprisoned in Ujjayini. Udayana, the king, is associated with Kaushambi, while Vasavadatta, the princess, is from Avanti
Ques:
22
In which century did the first Magadhan Empire rise?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Sixth Century B.C.
The first Magadhan empire flourished in 6th century B.C. The actual founder of this empire was king Bimbisara (approximately 544-492 century B.C). He was related to Haryanka dynasty.
Ques:
23
Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city-state in India in the 6th century B.C.?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Magadha
Magadha was the most powerful city in the early 6th century B.C. It was one of the richest and most prosperous Mahajanapada among others. Magadha had a long rivalry with Kosala, Anga and Kashi. They always struggled for the supremacy.
Ques:
24
Which one of the following pair is correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Chetak-Lichchhavi
King Chetak was the emperor of the Lichchhavi republic. His daughter Chelana was married to Magadha King Bimbisara. Lichchhavi was one of the clans of the union of Vajji.
Ques:
25
Consider the following statements with reference to the Mauryan period:
According to the Arthashastra of Kautilya, slavery was not prevalent during this period.
Samaharta was the chief custodian of the state treasury.
Punch-marked silver coins formed the imperial currency of the Mauryas.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Only one
Statement 1 is incorrect: According to the Arthashastra of Kautilya, a striking social development of the Maurya period was the employment of slaves in agricultural operations. Labour was provided by the dasa-karmakaras – slaves and hired labour. According to Arthashastra the various categories of labour included wage labour, bonded labour, and slave labour.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Maurya period saw the establishment of the first empire in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Such a large empire required new strategies of governance. The complex system of administration set up under the Mauryas became the foundational basis of succeeding polities. The Maurya period constitutes a landmark in the system of taxation in ancient India. The Mauryas attached greater importance to assessment than to storage and deposit. The Samaharta was the highest officer in charge of assessment and collection, and the Sannidhata was the chief custodian of the state treasury and storehouse. The assessor-cum-collector was far more important than the chief treasurer.
Statement 3 is correct: The punch-marked silver coins, which carry the symbols of the peacock and crescented hill, formed the imperial currency of the Mauryas. They have been discovered in large numbers. Copper coins were also punch-marked. Besides punch-marked silver and copper coins, cast copper coins and die-struck coins were also issued.
Ques:
26
The capital of North Panchal, according to Mahabharata, was located at:
Correct Answer:
(C)
Ahichhatra
The capital of Northern Panchala was Ahichhatra and Kampilya was the capital of southern Panchala. Hastinapura and Indraprastha were the capital of Kuru while Mathura was the capital of Surasena.
Ques:
27
Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Sursen - Kaushambi
Sursen was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura. Other options are correctly matched.
Ques:
28
Which was the capital of Magadha?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Rajgriha
Rajgriha was the first capital of Magadha, (Where first ‘Buddhist Council’ was organized and Lord Mahavir sermoned first). According to Puranas, the first dynasty to rule over Magadh was Brihadrath dynasty. King Brihadrath's son, Jarasandha, made Girivraja (Rajgir) his capital. Later on, Udayin, son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital to Patliputra.
Ques:
29
Which one of the following was not a capital of Magadhan Empire?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Kaushambi
Girivraja or Rajgriha and Pataliputra were the capital of the Magadha Empire respectively in ancient times while Kaushambi was ruled by Vatsa state. The capital of Magadha was shifted from Rajgriha to Pataliputra during Haryanka dynasty.
Ques:
30
What is the town configuration of ancient Shravasti?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Crescentic
Alexander Cunningham had identified the ancient Shravasti at Sahet-Mahet (today’s Shravasti) placed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh in 1861. It is known by excavations that the configuration of Shravasti was in crescentic form.