Prehistoric Period and Indus

1 Valley Civilisation-Explanation

1. Answer: (b) 3. Answer: (c)

Chandraketugarh was a trading center, not known for rock-cut Sohgaura in Uttar Pradesh is not a Harappan site; it is known
shrines. Inamgaon, a Chalcolithic site and Mangadu, a Megalithic for early copper plate inscriptions, whereas the Indus Valley
site are correctly paired. Salihundam is known for its Buddhist Civilization was centered in present-day Pakistan and western
remains, not rock-cut shrines. India and began around 2500 BC.
2. Answer: (a) 4. Answer: (b)
Dholavira, an Indus Valley Civilization city, is renowned for its Statement 1 is not correct as no temples or palaces like those in
Mesopotamia have been found in Harappan sites
advanced water management system using dams, drains, and
reservoirs, and was strategically located on Khadir Island to access Statement 2 is correct since religious practices centered around
raw materials and facilitate trade with regions like Magan and fertility are evidenced by clay Mother Goddess figurines and male
Mesopotamia. deity seals
Statement 3 is not correct because there is no conclusive evidence
that Harappans knew about or used horses.

Vedic and Later Vedic Age-

2 Explanation

1. Answer: (b) bronze (later silver and iron), but the Indus Valley people mainly
used silver and copper; iron was unknown to them.
Statement 1 is not correct: The Parable of the Two Birds finds a
mention in the Upanishads. The beginnings of philosophy and Statement 3 is correct: The Rig Veda refers to horse-drawn chariots,
mysticism in Indian religious history occurred during the period but there is little to no evidence of horses in Harappan sites.
of the compilation of the Upanishads, roughly between the 7th and 3. Answer: (d)
5th BCE.
Option (d) is correct: The memorising of chronicles, dynastic
Statement 2 is correct. The first versions of the Puranas were likely histories, or epic tales was the work of a group of people, the
composed between the 3rd and 10th centuries CE. Sutas and Magadhas. During the first stage (from the 4th century
2. Answer: (c) BC to the 4th century AD), the task of collecting information
and presenting it in literary form was the special task assigned to
Statement 1 is correct: The Ramayana and Rigveda mention
the Sutas and Magadhas (bards and chroniders), who were the
chariots, swords, and armor used by Aryans, but such evidence is
descendants of priestly families of the Vedic period.
absent in the Indus Valley Civilization.
Statement 2 is not correct: Rigvedic Aryans used gold, copper, and
 Mauryan and Post-Mauryan
3 Age-Explanation
1. Answer: (b) 8. Answer: (b)
Explanation: Besnagar is incorrectly matched as a Shaivite cave shrine—it is
known for its ancient pillar (Heliodorus Pillar), not cave shrines;
At the district level, the officials listed were Pradeshika, Rajuka
Bhaja is correctly identified as a Buddhist cave shrine; and
and Yukta. Pradeshika was the overall in-charge of the district. The
Sittanavasal is correctly noted for its Jain cave shrine and frescoes.
Yukta was a junior officer giving secretarial kind of assistance to
the other two. The officials fulfilled the following duties: survey and 9. Answer: (b)
assessment of land; tours and inspections; revenue collection, and According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, enslavement was primarily
maintaining law and order. through self-sale or war capture. Both the slave mother and her
2. Answer: (b) child were to be considered free. A son born to a female slave and
fathered by her master was legally recognized as the master’s son.
Explanation:
10. Answer: (b)
Statements I and IV are correct: Assaka was located in the
Godavari valley and Sarayu was the main river of Kosala during the Pair 1 (Dhauli – Odisha) and Pair 2 (Erragudi – Andhra Pradesh)
Ramayana period are correctly matched, while Pair 3 (Jaugada – Odisha) and Pair 4
(Kalsi – Uttarakhand) are incorrectly matched.
Statements II and III are incorrect: The Vipas River flows southeast
away from Kamboja, and Avanti included areas around Ujjayini 11. Answer: (a)
and the Narmadā valley, not limited to them. Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhism after the
3. Answer: (b) Kalinga war, promoted moral governance through his edicts. Major
Rock Edict XII emphasizes religious tolerance, urging people not
Option 1 is not correct: Mahavira was called Nayaputta, meaning
to glorify their own sect by denigrating others.
“son of the Nayas”
12. Answer: (b)
Options 2 and 3 are correct: The Buddha belonged to the Gautama
clan and was also called Shakyamuni, Bhagavat, and Tathagata. Statement 1 is incorrect: Sthaviravadins split from Mahasanghikas
and were not part of Mahayana.
4. Answer: (c)
Statement 2 is correct: Lokottaravadins, a Mahasanghika offshoot,
Option (c) is correct: Madhyama-vyayoga is a Sanskrit play by
viewed Buddha as supernatural.
Bhasa based on the Mahabharata
Statement 3 is correct: Mahasanghikas laid the foundation for
Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect: Kavyalankara (Bhamaha),
Mahayana Buddhism.
Natyashastra (Bharata Muni), and Mahabhashya (Patanjali) are
treatises on poetics, performing arts, and grammar, respectively. 13. Answer: (c)
5. Answer: (a) Along with the Noble Eightfold Path to attain Nibbana, Buddhist
traditions also speak of cultivating Paramis (Southern) or Paramitas
Dhanyakataka, or Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, was a prominent
(Eastern/Northern)—perfections essential for a Bodhisattva to
Buddhist center under the Mahasanghika sect, renowned for
become a self-Enlightened Universal Buddha.
the Amaravati Stupa and monastic complexes, and significantly
contributed to the spread of Buddhism in South India. 14. Answer: (d)
6. Answer: (b) Mahayana Buddhism, which emerged in northern India,
emphasizes the divinity of the Buddha, Bodhisattva path, and idol
The tradition of erecting stupas may have predated Buddhism, but
worship, and spread widely in Central and East Asia.
they became closely associated with it; stupas were used to enshrine
relics of the Buddha like bodily remains or objects he used, and 15. Answer: (a)
served as commemorative monuments housing sacred relics of the
Buddha or other revered figures. Kanaganahalli in Karnataka is a major Buddhist site, notable for
its Mahastupa and the only inscribed portrait of Emperor Ashoka;
7. Answer: (b) Sanchi is known for its Great Stupa commissioned by Ashoka,
According to Jainism, souls exist not only in animals and plants but while Shahbazgarhi in Pakistan is noted for Ashokan inscriptions.
also in stones, rocks, water, and other natural [Link] universe 16. Answer: (b)
operates through the interaction of living souls (jiva) and five types
of non-living entities (ajiva): ether, movement, rest, time, and Sthanakvasi is a sect of Svetambara Jainism founded by merchant
matter. Lavaji in 1653 AD. Rooted in the teachings of 15th-century
reformer Lonka, it rejects idol worship and emphasizes a non-

Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Age-Explanation

 iconic path to soul purification and Moksha. 21. Answer: (d)
17. Answer: (c) Magadha, Kosala, Vaishali, and Vajji were closely linked to Buddha’s
Maitreya is a future bodhisattva who will appear on Earth to restore life. Avanti and Gandhara were not directly associated; Gandhara
the dharma when it has been forgotten. He is regarded as the became important for Buddhism later under Ashoka’s rule.
successor to Gautama Buddha. 22. Answer: (c)
18. Answer: (b) Buddha left Kapilavastu at 29 after his son’s birth and went to
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Sautrantika & Sammitiya are Hinayana Magadha to seek spiritual truth. He studied under Alara Kalama
sects of Buddhism. and Uddaka Ramaputta. Kosala and Magadha were key regions in
his life he spent his final 20 years in Kosala under King Pasenadi’s
Statement 2 is Correct: Sarvastivadins believe dharmas exist across
patronage.
past, present & future.
23. Answer: (a)
19. Answer: (b)
Nibbana (Sanskrit: Nirvana) is the highest state of well-being
Option (b) is correct: In 1837, James Prinsep deciphered the edicts
described by the Buddha. It signifies the extinguishing of the fires
of Ashoka.
of greed, hatred, and delusion, which cause suffering.
20. Answer: (b)
24. Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Bodhisattva is a Mahayana ideal, not
found in Hinayana traditions. All three statements are correct: Jainism teaches that karma is
eliminated through penance and discipline, allowing the soul to
Statement 2 is Correct: A Bodhisattva aspires to enlightenment attain liberation. Jiva (soul) is eternal and conscious, present even
and practices compassion. in elements like water and stone. Every soul is bound by karma,
Statement 3 is Correct: A Bodhisattva seeks enlightenment for all and liberation is achieved by shedding this karma to restore the
beings. soul’s perfection.

Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Age-Explanation

 Gupta and Post- Gupta Age-
4 Explanation
1. Answer: (b) 6. Answer: (a)
Explanation: In the Gupta period, Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul were ports
handling foreign trade.
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim-scholar Fa Hsien/Fah Hian/Faxian
travelled to India (c. 399-414 CE) during Gupta ruler Chandragupta 7. Answer: (a)
II’s regime. Inscriptions of Gupta period mention various land types: Kshetra
2. Answer: (d) (cultivable), Khila (uncultivable), Aprahata (forest), Gopata Sarah
(pasture), and Vasti (habitable). Land was measured in units like
None of these dynasties—Hoysala, Gahadavala, Kakatiya, or Nivartana, Kulyavapa, and Dronavapa.
Yadava—were established in the early eighth century; all rose to
prominence later, between the 10th and 12th centuries. 8. Answer: (c)

3. Answer: (b) Panini lived around the 3rd–4th century BCE, predating the
Mauryan and Sunga periods. Amarasimha was not associated with
Both schools applied to Hindus, not divided by caste but by King Harsha of the 7th-century Vardhana dynasty. Chandragupta
geographic region. Under the Mitakshara school, sons become II (Vikramaditya) was a prominent Gupta ruler with Kalidasa as a
coparceners by birth, whereas in the Dayabhaga school, inheritance renowned court poet.
rights arise after the property holder’s death. While both schools
9. Answer: (a)
address property rights for males and females, Dayabhaga
offers comparatively greater inheritance rights to women than Option (a) is correct: In the Gupta Age, “vishti” referred to forced
Mitakshara. labour imposed by the state or local authorities as a form of tax, not
to wage labour or work by the eldest son.
4. Answer: (b)
10. Answer: (b)
Later Guptas ruled Magadha after the original Gupta decline. The
Paramaras ruled Malwa, not Magadha. Pushyabhutis of Thanesar Yuan Chwang noted that roads and river routes in Harsha’s India
ruled northern India, especially Haryana. Maukharis ruled parts were not entirely safe. He described Harsha’s kingdom as well-
of U.P. and Magadha, including Kannauj. Yadavas of Devagiri governed, with ordeals like water, fire, weighing, and poison used
belonged to the Medieval Era, not this period. Maitrakas of Valabhi to determine guilt. He observed that traders paid only light duties
ruled western and northern Gujarat from the 5th to 8th centuries at ferries and barriers.
AD.
5. Answer: (c)
In the Medieval period, Hundis were instruments of credit or bills
of exchange that allowed easy money transfer across regions.

Gupta and Post- Gupta Age-Explanation

 Sangam Age-Gupta Age-
5 Explanation
1. Answer: (a) never would they turn their back in battle. It was a Tamil martial.
This was either done alone or as a group with the supporters of the
Explanation:
captured king.
Mahendravarman I (590–630 CE), a multi-talented Pallava king,
4. Answer: (b)
expanded his kingdom, promoted arts and temple-building, and
took titles like Mattavilasa, Chitrakarapuli, and Vichitrachitta. Sangam Literature has references to material culture and war
tactics and ethics. Hence statements a and c are incorrect.
2. Answer: (b)
Statement d is incorrect because Sangam literature
Chola, Chera and Pandyas were the early dynasties of the Sangam
doesn’t refers to magical forces as irrational.
Age. Each of them had ports which were used to trade with Other
Aṇaṅku is a phenomenon of sacred power described in ancient
countries. Example: Muziris, Korkai, Puhar (Poompuhar), Tondai,
Tamil literature such as the sangam literature. This sacred magical
Arikamedu.
forces were supposed to inhabit various objects, which eventually
determined their association with the society.
Statement b is correct because, The varna system was not practiced
but it was known. (Tolkappiyam refers to 4 castes)
5. Answer: (c)
The Pallavas ruled much of southern India, especially Tamil Nadu,
from the 6th to 9th centuries AD with Kanchipuram as their capital,
reaching their peak under Mahendravarman [Link] Pala Empire,
founded by Gopala in 750 CE, dominated Bengal during the 8th
and 9th centuries [Link] Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, founded by
Nagabhatta I in Malwa in the 8th century, ruled northern India
with Kannauj as its capital under Mihira [Link] Cholas rose to
prominence in the 9th century, ruling much of South India from
Tanjore, with Parantaka Chola expanding the empire after 907 AD.
6. Answer: (d)
Pair 1 is correctly matched: A special category of land, Eripatti
or tank land, was known only in south India. This was the land
donated by individuals, the revenue from which was set apart for
the maintenance of the village tank. This indicates that the village
was dependent on the tank for irrigation.
Pair 2 is not correctly matched: Taniyur, are the large villages under
3. Answer: (d)
Chola administrative division. These were distinct revenue units.
Vatakkiruttal (Vaṭakkiruttal, ‘fasting facing north’), also
Pair 3 is correctly matched: In South India centers of higher
Vadakiruthal and vadakiruttal, was a Tamil ritual of fasting till
learning were known as Ghatikas. Ghatikas and Mathas were
death. It was especially widespread during the Sangam age. The
attached to temples. There was a famous Ghatika at Kanchi,
Tamil kings, in order to save their honour, and prestige, were
drawing students from far and near.
prepared to meet their death facing North (‘Vatakkiruttal’), and

Sangam Age-Gupta Age-Explanation