Ancient History

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Sample questions

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The 'Vernacular Press Act' was enacted during the tenure of which Viceroy?

A
Lord Ripon
B
Lord Curzon
C
Lord Lytton
D
Lord Mayo

Explanation

The Vernacular Press Act, 1878, restricting the vernacular press, was enacted under Lord Lytton.

Lord Ripon later repealed it in 1882. Curzon is linked with the Partition of Bengal and Mayo with the first

Statistical Survey and financial decentralisation.

2.Which of the following metals were known and used by the Harappan people? 1. Bronze 2. Copper 3. Iron 4. Gold Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 4 only
C2, 3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

The Harappan Civilization belonged to the Bronze Age. They knew the use of copper, bronze, gold, and silver. However, they did not know the use of Iron. The Iron Age in India began much later, during the Vedic period (around 1000 BCE).

Which mountain range historically acted as a natural barrier making large-scale invasions of the Indian subcontinent difficult from the north?

A
Vindhya Range
B
Aravalli Range
C
Himalayas
D
Western Ghats

Explanation

The Himalayas, located in the north, historically acted like a great natural wall, making large invasions difficult while still allowing movement through narrow mountain passes. Option A (Vindhya Range) is incorrect as it lies in central India and divides the north from the south, not a northern barrier against invasion. Option B (Aravalli Range) is incorrect since it runs through western India and is not associated with blocking northern invasions. Option D (Western Ghats) is incorrect as it runs along the western coast and is unrelated to northern defence geography.

Early human settlements in the Indian subcontinent were most commonly found near which geographical feature?

A
Deserts
B
Riverbanks
C
Mountain Peaks
D
Dense Forests only

Explanation

Rivers provided fresh water, fertile soil after floods, and easy transport, making riverbanks the most favourable locations for early settlements. Option A (deserts) is incorrect as they lack water and fertile land needed for farming. Option C (mountain peaks) is incorrect since high altitudes make farming and daily survival difficult. Option D (dense forests only) is incorrect because while forests provided resources, they were not the primary or most common settlement zones compared to riverbanks.

What does the term "millennium" refer to?

A
Ten Years
B
One Hundred Years
C
One thousand years
D
Ten thousand years

Explanation

A millennium refers to a period of one thousand years, commonly used by historians to describe long stretches of time. Option A (ten years) actually refers to a "decade." Option B (one hundred years) refers to a "century." Option D (ten thousand years) does not correspond to any standard historical time unit used in this context.

Consider the following statements regarding Ashoka's reaction to the Kalinga war:

1. His own inscriptions describe the suffering caused by the war with striking honesty.

2. Witnessing this suffering prompted profound remorse and reflection in Ashoka.

3. Ashoka celebrated the Kalinga war as his greatest military triumph with no regret.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1,2and3

Explanation

Ashoka's inscriptions do describe the suffering with honesty, and this witnessed suffering prompted deep remorse, making statements 1 and 2correct.

Statement 3 is incorrect because Ashoka's reaction was one of remorse and reflection, not celebration, marking a significant departure from how most ancient rulers presented their military victories.

Option B and Option D are incorrect as they include the false statement 3. Option C is incorrect as it excludes the correct statement 2 while including the false statement 3.

7.The ancient Indian literary source that provides information about the life and teachings of the Buddha is

ATipitaka
BMahabharata
CRamayana
DPuranas

Explanation

The Tipitaka is an ancient Indian literary source that provides information about the life and teachings of the Buddha. It is a collection of texts that contain the teachings of the Buddha and is considered one of the most important sources of ancient Indian history.

8.With reference to the agriculture of the Harappan Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan. 2. Evidence of a furrowed/ploughed field has been excavated at Kalibangan. 3. Harappans were the earliest known people to produce cotton in the world. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

All statements are correct. Irrigation was practiced; canal traces are found at Shortughai (Afghanistan). Kalibangan in Rajasthan has yielded evidence of a ploughed field from the pre-Harappan phase. Harappans were indeed pioneers in cultivating cotton, which the Greeks called 'Sindon' (derived from Sindh).

9.Consider the following statements regarding Harappan pottery and crafts: 1. The Harappans produced wheel-made glossy pottery decorated with red and black designs. 2. The famous bronze figurine of the 'Dancing Girl' was made using the 'lost-wax' casting technique. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are correct. Harappan pottery is dominated by wheel-made Red and Black Ware (red slip decorated with black painted designs). The bronze 'Dancing Girl' from Mohenjo-daro is an artistic masterpiece cast using the 'lost-wax' (cire perdue) technique.

10.Consider the following statements regarding the religious beliefs of the Harappan people: 1. They worshipped the Mother Goddess as a symbol of fertility. 2. The 'Pasupati Mahadeva' seal depicts a deity sitting in a yogic posture, surrounded by animals. 3. Large, monumental temples have been discovered at almost all major Harappan sites, indicating a dominant priestly class. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Harappans worshipped the Mother Goddess, and the Pasupati seal (found at Mohenjo-daro) depicts a three-horned proto-Shiva surrounded by an elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, and buffalo. Statement 3 is incorrect: Unlike contemporary Mesopotamia and Egypt, no monumental temples or structures exclusively dedicated to public worship have been discovered at any Harappan site.

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