Ancient History

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1.Which city did Harshavardhana establish as the imperial capital of his empire?

AKannauj
BThanesar
CMathura
DPataliputra

Explanation

After consolidating most of northern India, Harsha shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj (Kanyakubja) around 633 CE. Kannauj remained a political centre for successive dynasties, underscoring its importance during Harsha’s reign.

2.Regarding the burial customs of the Harappan Civilization, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The standard practice was the complete burial of the dead, usually in a north-south orientation. 2. Evidence of double or joint burials (male and female buried together) has been found at Lothal. 3. Harappans did not believe in life after death, which is proved by the complete absence of grave goods or pottery inside the graves.

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

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The typical Harappan burial custom was complete burial with the head pointing north. Lothal has yielded evidence of three double burials, which some historians tentatively link to early joint-burial concepts. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Harappans did believe in life after death, which is proven by the presence of daily-use grave goods, pottery, ornaments, and food items inside the graves.

3.Who is regarded as the historical founder of Buddhism?

ASiddhartha Gautama
BMahavira
CAshoka
DNagarjuna

Explanation

Siddhartha Gautama, after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, became known as the Buddha and founded Buddhism in the 5th century BCE.

4.The most important epigraphic source for reconstructing the political history of the Indo‑Scythian (Saka) period is:

AAshokavadana
BJunagadh inscription of Rudradaman I
CMathura lion capital
DPeriplus of the Erythraean Sea

Explanation

The Junagadh rock‑inscription of the Western Satrap ruler Rudradaman I (c. 150 CE) provides a detailed account of Saka rule in Gujarat, their titles, military exploits and relations with contemporary powers, making it a primary source for this period.

5.According to Buddhist tradition, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha was situated in which Mahajanapada?

AMagadha
BKosala
CKalinga
DVatsa

Explanation

Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, which lay within the territorial limits of the ancient Kosala Mahajanapada, specifically in the Shakya clan that was a vassal of Kosala.

6.The capital city of the Nanda dynasty, which preceded the Mauryan Empire, was:

APāṭaliputra
BTaxila
CAyodhyā
DUjjain

Explanation

Historical and literary sources (e.g., Buddhist texts and the Jain tradition) mention Pāṭaliputra (modern Patna) as the seat of the Nanda rulers before Chandragupta Maurya captured it.

7.Which of the following dynasties is credited with establishing a strong maritime trade network along the western coast of India during the post‑Mauryan period?

ASatavahana
BKanva
CShunga
DKushan

Explanation

The Satavahanas (c. 1st century BCE – 3rd century CE) controlled the Deccan and the western coastline, fostering extensive sea‑trade with the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Gulf. Their capital at Pratishthana and later at Amaravati became important ports, unlike the Kanvas, Shungas, or Kushans who were primarily inland powers.

8.Which of the following was NOT a contemporary of the Satavahana dynasty (c. 1st BCE – 3rd CE)?

AKushan Empire
BMaurya Empire
CKalinga Kingdom
DVakataka Kingdom

Explanation

The Satavahana dynasty flourished from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The Maurya Empire had already declined by 185 BCE, long before the Satavahanas rose to power, whereas the Kushan, Kalinga, and Vakataka polities were active during the Satavahana period.

Why did Ashoka use different scripts and languages for his inscriptions across different regions of his empire?

A
To confuse rival kingdoms and prevent them from understanding his messages
B
To ensure his messages could be understood by people across his linguistically diverse empire
C
Because he had no consistent system of writing available to him
D
To restrict his messages only to trained priests

Explanation

Ashoka's use of different scripts and languages reflected a deliberate effort to ensure his

messages could be understood across his linguistically and culturally diverse empire. Option A is incorrect as there is no evidence suggesting this was intended to confuse rival kingdoms. Option C is incorrect since Ashoka clearly had access to consistent writing systems, as shown by the widespread use of scripts like Brahmi. Option D is incorrect because Ashoka's inscriptions were intended for broad public communication, not restricted exclusively to priests.

10.The political treatise *Arthashastra* is traditionally attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya). It was composed for the administration of which Mahajanapada?

AMagadha
BKosala
CVatsa
DGandhara

Explanation

*Arthashastra* was written for King Chandragupta Maurya of Magadha. Kautilya, the chief minister, authored the treatise to guide the governance, economics and foreign policy of the Magadhan empire.

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