1. Which one of the following Indo-Greek rulers issued lead coins?
(a) Strato – II
(b) Strato – I
(c) Demetrius
(d) Menander
[U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014]
Ans. (a) Strato – II
- Strato-II was in charge of making coins.
- He was the ruler of Indo-Greek between 25 BC and 10 AD.
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2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I List-II
| A. Demetrius |
1. Parthian |
| B. Rudradaman |
2. Avamukta |
| C. Gondophernes |
3. Indo- Greek |
| D. Vim |
4. Sythean |
Codes:
A B C D
(a) 1 3 2 4
(b) 4 3 1 2
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 1 2 3 4
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (c) 3 4 1 2
| A. Demetrius |
Indo-Greek |
| B. Rudradaman |
Avamukta |
| C. Gondophernes |
Parthian |
| D. Vim |
Kushana |
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3. Both Sankarshana and Vasudeva are depicted on the coins of which of the following rulers?
(a) Havishka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Agathocles
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (d) Agathocles
- Agathocles was a Greco-Bactrian king who ruled around 190 BC – 180 BC.
- He held Paropamiso which was a satrapy between Bactrian and India.
- Little is known of him apart from an extensive coinage.
- He was the first Greco-Bactrian ruler to introduce bilingual legends on his coin, primarily in Greek and Brahmi.
- He introduced silver coins on which both Sankarshana (Balram) and Vasudev were depicted.
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4. Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Gautama Buddha
(c) Milinda
(d) Prasenjit
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (c) Milinda
- Bimbisara was the one who started the Magadha empire and was part of the Haryanka dynasty.
- Prasenjit was the ruler of Kosala Mahajanapada during the time of Mahatma Buddha, and Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism.
- Menander, or Milinda, was an Indo-Greek ruler from about 155 to 130 BC and was not alive at the same time as Bimbisara, Buddha,
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5. The earliest specimen of the ‘Kavya’ style is found in the inscription of :
(a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar
(b) Ashoka
(c) Rajendra I
(d) None of the above
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (a) Rudradaman of Kathiawar
- Rudradaman’s inscription from 130-150 AD was found at Girnar Hills in Gujarat.
- It was written in Brahmi script and was the first inscription to be written in perfect Sanskrit.
- It also had the first example of the “Kavya” style.
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6. Which inscription tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I?
(a) Junagadh
(b) Bhitari
(c) Nasik
(d) Sanchi
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (a) Junagadh
- The inscription on Junagadh, written in Sanskrit, dates back to around 150 AD.
- It credits Rudradaman-I for helping promote culture and Sanskrit literature, as well as for rebuilding the dam created by the Mauryas.
- In addition, he fixed the walls of the lake Sudarshana, which the Mauryas had made.
- The Junagadh rock also contains inscriptions from Ashoka with fourteen edicts, as well as from Rudradaman-I
|
7. Who renovated Sudarshan Lake without using forced labor?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusar
(c) Ashoka
(d) Rudradaman-I
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (d) Rudradaman-I
- The rock edict of Rudradaman-I at Junagadh (Gujarat) states that the Sudarshan Lake was created by the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta.
- Rudradaman-I then renovated the lake without using any forced labor.
|
8. Sixteen coins of King Menander have been found from which of the following sites?
(a) Bairat
(b) Nagari
(c) Rairh
(d) Nagar
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) Bairat
- Unearthing History: Sixteen Ancient Coins of King Menander Discovered in Bairat Excavation
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9. The largest number of copper coins in northern and northwestern India were issued by?
(a) Indo-Greeks
(b) Kushans
(c) Sakas
(d) Pratiharas
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (b) Kushans
- Indo-Greek kings in northern and north-western India started making gold coins, but the Kushan rulers made them more widespread and consistent.
- The Kushan rulers produced a large amount of gold and copper coins.
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10. Who among the following issued gold coins regularly in ancient India?
(a) Satavahana
(b) Saka
(c) Kushan
(d) Parthian
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (c) Kushan
- Indo-Greek kings in northern and northwestern India made gold coins, but it was the Kushan rulers that really spread them around and made them a regular part of people’s lives.
- The Kushan rulers also issued both gold and copper coins.
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11. Buddha is depicted on the coins of :
(a) Vima Kadphises
(b) Kanishka
(c) Nahpaad
(d) Budhagupta
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (b) Kanishka
- Kanishka, a ruler from the Kushanas, put pictures of Buddha on his coins.
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12. Which of the following Kings is credited to have issued gold coins for the first time?
(a) Kujula Kadphises
(b) Vima Kadphises
(c) Kanishka
(d) Huvishka
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
Ans. (b) Vima Kadphises
- Indo-Greek rulers were the first to make gold coins popular, but it was Vima Kadphises, a ruler of the Kushan Empire, who released the first-ever gold coins.
- Therefore, option (b) is correct.
|
13. Who among the following introduced gold coins for regular use in India?
(a) Vima Kadphises
(b) Kujula Kadphises
(c) Kanishka
(d) Hermwes
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
Ans. (a) Vima Kadphises
- Vima Kadphises, an emperor from the Kushan Empire, was the father of Kanishka-I and was the first king to introduce gold coins in India for everyday use.
- Kujula Kadphises, on the other hand, issued copper coins.
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14. Who among the following first issued gold coins on a large scale?
(a) Pushyamitra Shunga
(b) Menander
(c) Vima Kadphises
(d) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (c) Vima Kadphises
- Vima Kadphises, the ruler of Kushan, was the father of Kanishka-I and was known for introducing gold coins into regular use in India.
- He is remembered as the first ruler to use gold coins, while Kujula Kadphises used copper coins.
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15. Which God is found depicted on Yaudheya coins?
(a) Vasudeva
(b) Shiva
(c) Indra
(d) Kartikeya
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (d) Kartikeya
- Coins were minted during the reign of the Kushan ruler which depicted a six-headed God Kartikeya with a peacock to his right.
- These are known as Yaudheya coins and have been mentioned in the Puranas, Ashtadhyayi, etc.
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16. What is the date of the Sarnath Buddhist image inscription of Kanishka?
(a) 78 A.D.
(b) 81 A.D.
(c) 98 A.D.
(d) 121 A.D.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (b) 81 A.D.
- The inscription of Buddha from Sarnath, owned by Kanishka, was made in 81 AD, three years after Kanishka was crowned.
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17. In which year, the coronation of Kushan king Kanishka was held?
(a) 178 B.C.
(b) 101 A.D.
(c) 58 B.C.
(d) 78 A.D.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]
Ans. (d) 78 A.D.
- Kanishka’s crowning date is a big debate.
- Two conferences were organized in London in 1913 and 1960 to solve this issue.
- People at the second meeting agreed that Kanishka was crowned in 78 AD, which marks the start of Saka Samvat.
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18. When was Saka Samvat initiated?
(a) 58 A.D.
(b) 78A.D.
(c) 320 A.D.
(d) 606 A.D.
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]
Ans. (b) 78A.D.
- According to Jain texts, an heir of Vikramaditya (57 B.C.) was defeated by Saka in 135 Vikram Samvat.
- To commemorate this victory, Saka created a new calendar called Saka Samvat which started from 135-57 = 78 AD.
- Most historians think that the Kushan ruler Kanishka was its creator.
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19. How much is the year difference between the Saka Samvat and Vikram Samvat?
(a) 57 years
(b) 78 years
(c) 135 years
(d) 320 years
[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (c) 135 years
- Right now, the Gregorian Calendar is the calendar used around the world.
- To get the Vikram Samvat (57 B.C.), add 57 to the current calendar and to get the Saka Samvat (78 AD), subtract 78 from the current calendar.
- This makes Vikram Samvat 2076 and Saka Samvat 1941.
- The difference between them is 135 years.
- So option (c) is the correct answer.
|
20. Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka The era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?
(a) 22nd March (or 21st March)
(b) 15th May (or 16th May)
(c) 31st March (of 30th March)
(d) 21st April (or 20th April)
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (a) 22nd March (or 21st March)
- Chaitra is the beginning of the Indian national calendar.
- The dates of the national calendar usually match up with the Gregorian calendar.
- Usually Chaitra starts on the 22nd of March, but in a leap year, it starts on the 21st of March.
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21. When was Vikram Samvat started?
(a) 78 A.D.
(b) 57 B.C.
(c) 72 B.C.
(d) 56 B.C.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]
Ans. (b) 57 B.C.
- Vikram Samvat is also known as Krit and Malav.
- According to Jain holy texts, there is a gap of 470 years between the time Mahavir was saved and Vikram Samvat started.
- Mahavir was saved in 527 BC, which means Vikram Samvat began in 57 BC (527 BC
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22. Which one of the following will be the year of Saka Samvat in December 2009?
(a) 1931
(b) 1952
(c) 2066
(d) 2087
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
Ans. (a) 1931
- In India, Saka Samvat is the national calendar that began in 78 AD.
- Therefore, if it is December 2009, the Saka Samvat year would be 1931.
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23. Consider the following names of contemporaries of Kanishka and select the correct answer from the codes given below :
(i) Ashvaghosha
(ii) Vasumitra
(iii) Kalidas
(iv) Kamban
Code :
(a) I and IV
(b) II and III
(c) I and II
(d) All of these
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (c) I and II
- Ashvaghosha was the main poet for Kanishka and wrote Saundarananda, Buddha Charita, and Sariputra Prakarana.
- Vasumitra was also a poet for Kanishka and led the fourth Buddhist Council.
- Kalidas was during the Gupta period and Kamban was from the twelfth century.
- Therefore, option (c) is the correct
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24. Ashvaghosha was a contemporary of –
(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta- II
(c) Kanishka
(d) Harshvardhan
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (c) Kanishka
- Ashvaghosha was the most famous poet of Kanishka’s court and wrote the works Saundarananda, Buddha Charita, and Sariputra Prakarana.
- Vasumitra, another poet who worked for Kanishka, was in charge of the Fourth Buddhist Council.
- Kalidas was part of the Gupta era.
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25. Which one of the following is not associated with the Court of Kanishka?
(a) Ashvaghosha
(b) Charaka
(c) Nagarjuna
(d) Patanjali
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (d) Patanjali
- Six scholars (Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Charaka, and Mathara) worked for King Kanishka.
- Charaka was his court doctor.
- Maharshi Patanjali, however, lived during the Shunga period and wrote Mahabhasya.
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26. Who of the following did not adorn the court of Kanishka- I?
(a) Ashvaghosha
(b) Parshva
(c) Vasumitra
(d) Vishakhadatta
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
Ans. (d) Vishakhadatta
- Six scholars, Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Charaka, and Mathara were part of the court of King Kanishka.
- Charaka is remembered as the King’s doctor.
- Maharshi Patanjali was from the Shunga period.
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27. Which of the following cities is not mentioned in the Rabatak inscription of Kanishka?
(a) Shravasti
(b) Kaushambi
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Champa
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (a) Shravasti
- In 1993, some inscriptions were discovered in Rabatak near Surkh Kotal, Afghanistan.
- These inscriptions were written in Greek and Bactrian, and belonged to the ruler of the Kushana dynasty, Kanishka.
- The inscriptions included four city names: Saket, Kaushambi, Pataliputra, and Champa. However, Shravasti was not included.
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28. Who among the following Ayurvedacharyas was educated at Taxila University?
(a) Sushruta
(b) Vagbhatta
(c) Charaka
(d) Jivaka
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]
Ans. (c) Charaka & (d) Jivaka
- Taxila University was a meeting place for students from different countries who shared their knowledge with one another.
- Famous figures such as Kautilya, Chandragupta Maurya, Ayurvedacharya Charak, King Prasenjit of Kosala, Ayurvedacharya Jivak of Bimbisar, Vasubandhu,
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29. The ancestors of Shungas originated from?
(a) Magadha
(b) Prayag
(c) Ujjain
(d) Saurashtra
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (c) Ujjain
- Shungas’ relatives were from Ujjain.
- The last leader of this dynasty was Dev Bhuti, who was murdered by his own minister, Vasudeva Karva.
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30. Which dynasty ruled over India after the Shunga dynasty?
(a) Satvahana
(b) Kushana
(c) Kanva
(d) Gupta
[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (c) Kanva
- The last leader of the Shunga empire was Devabhuti, but he was murdered by his own minister, Vasudeva Kanva.
- After that, the Kanvas, who were also Brahmins, replaced the Shunga dynasty.
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31. Who among the following rulers is stated as the protector of the ‘Varna system’?
(a) Pushyamitra Sunga
(b) Kharvela
(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(d) Vasudev
(e) Samudragupta
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (c) Gautamiputra Satakarni
- Gautamiputra Satakarni was a supporter of Brahmanism.
- He did not allow people from different castes to get married, and he did not allow people to mix different castes.
- This is why he is known as the protector of the Caste System.
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32. Which dynasty was most powerful after Maurya in Southern India –
(a) Satvahana
(b) Pallava
(c) Chola
(d) Chalukya
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (a) Satavahana
- The Satavahana dynasty was the strongest after the Mauryans in the South.
- According to Puranas, it was started by either Sindhuk, Simuka, or Shiprak after they killed the Kanva king Susharma.
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33. Simuka was the founder of which of the following dynasties?
(a) Chera
(b) Chola
(c) Pandya
(d) Satavahana
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (d) Satavahana
- The Satavahana dynasty was the most influential after the Mauryans in the South.
- Puranas say that after the murder of Kanva ruler Susharma, Sindhuk, Simuka, or Shiprak created the Satavahana dynasty.
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34. Match the following :
List-I List-II
| A. Shunga |
1. Mahoba |
| B. Satavahana |
2. Banvasi |
| C. Kadamb |
3. Paithan |
| D. Chandel |
4. Pataliputra |
Choose the correct code :
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 4 2 3 1
(c) 1 4 2 3
(d) 1 2 3 4
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) 4 3 2 1
| List-I |
List-II |
| A. Shunga |
Pataliputra |
| B. Satavahana |
Paithan |
| C. Kadamba |
Banavasi |
| D. Chandel |
Mahoba |
|
35. Which Chinese general had defeated Kanishka?
(a) Pan Chao
(b) Ban Yong
(c) She Huang Ti
(d) Ho-Ti
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (a) Pan Chao
- Around the year 73-94 AD, Kanishka asked to marry Princess Han but was turned down.
- He then led an army to try and take Pan Chao by force, but they were beaten by a smaller Chinese army.
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36. Which of the following dynasty empires was expanded even outside of India?
(a) Gupta dynasty
(b) Maurya dynasty
(c) Kushan dynasty
(d) None of the above
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A.(Mains) 2006]
Ans. (c) Kushan dynasty
- The Kushana Dynasty had an empire that went beyond India’s borders.
- Kanishka was a powerful ruler of the Kushana Dynasty and he expanded the empire from Turpan in northern China and Kashmir to the Vindhya Hills in the south, and from Northern Afghanistan in the west to Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
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37. The institution of child marriage started in which period?
(a) Maurya period
(b) Kushan period
(c) Gupta period
(d) In the time of Harshvardhan
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) (Re-exam.) 2000]
Ans. (b) Kushan period
- Child marriage began in the Kushana Period (1st century).
- Not allowing girls to take part in Upanayana and the tradition of child marriage caused them to be looked down upon in society.
- Girls were usually married between 8-10 years old.
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38. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Harappan Civilization – Painted Grey Ware
(b) The Kushans – Gandhara School of Art
(c) The Mughals – Ajanta Paintings
(d) The Marathas – Pahari School of Painting
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (b) The Kushans – Gandhara School of Art
- The Gandhara School of Art was created during the Kushan period, taking elements from the Gandhara and Mathura styles.
- Kanishka gave this art form support and protection.
- It was also influenced by Greek art.
- The other choices don’t fit.
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39. The art of Gandhara style flourished during the reign of –
(a) Kushans
(b) Guptas
(c) Akbar
(d) Mauryas
[38th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1992]
Ans. (a) Kushans
- The Gandhara School of art was created during the time of the Kushan people.
- Its style was a mix of the Gandhara and Mathura styles, and it was supported and protected by Kanishka.
- This type of art was inspired by Greek art.
- The other options don’t match up correctly.
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40. Which one of the following is NOT correctly matched?
List-I List-II
(Dynasties) (Metals of coin)
| A. Kushanas |
Gold and Copper |
| B. Gupta |
Gold and Silver |
| C. Satavahanas |
Gold |
| D. Kalachuris |
Gold, Silver, and Copper |
[U.P. R.O./ A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (c) Satavahana – Gold
- The Satavahana coins are a special sign.
- They made coins with stamps and created coins out of Lead, Copper, Bronze, and Silver, but not Gold.
- Therefore, choice (c) does not fit.
- The other types of coins fit the right dynasties.
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41. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
| A. Nasik |
1. Gautami Putra |
| B. Hathigumpha |
2. Kharvela |
| C. Bhitari |
3. Pulakeshin II |
| D. Girnar |
4. Rudradaman I |
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (c) Bhitari – Pulakeshin II
- A pillar inscription was discovered in Bhitari, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, which gave information about Skandagupta, who was a leader of the Gupta empire.
- At Aihole in Karnataka, an inscription was found that talked about King Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya kingdom.
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42. Bamiyan of Afghanistan was famous for –
(a) Hindu temple
(b) Work of elephant teeth
(c) Gold coin of coinage
(d) Buddha statue
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (d) Buddha statue
- Bamiyan in Afghanistan was known for its Buddha sculptures that were carved into the hills, but the Taliban destroyed all of them.
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43. The art style which combines Indian and Greek features is called-
(a) Sikhar
(b) Vera
(c) Gandhara
(d) Nagara
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2008, R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (c) Gandhara
- Gandhara is notable for its unique type of Buddhist art.
- This art was created by blending together Greek, Syrian, Persian, and Indian artistic elements.
- It was popular during the Saka and Kushan periods and is also known as Greco-Buddhist, Indo-Greek, or Greco-Roman, as it only featured Buddha.
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44. The Gandhara School of Art is the synthesis of:
(a) Indian and Persian Art
(b) Indian and Chinese Art
(c) Indian and Turk-Afghan Art
(d) Indian and Greek Art
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (d) Indian and Greek Art
- The Gandhara School of art was influenced by Greek and Roman culture, bringing in foreign ideas and styles.
- It is also known as the Graeco-Buddhist School.
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45. Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium?
(a) Mauryan sculptures
(b) Mathura sculptures
(c) Bharhut sculptures
(d) Gandhara sculptures
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (d) Gandhara sculptures
- Gandhara sculptures always used green schist as the material they used.
- Their sculptures were always heavily inspired by Greek sculpture.
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46. With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which of the following is the correct chronological order?
(a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas
(b) Greeks-Kushanas-Sakas
(c) Sakas-Greeks-Kushanas
(d) Sakas-Kushanas-Greeks
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (a) Greeks-Sakas-Kushanas
- The order of invaders in ancient India was Greeks (led by Alexander in 326 BC), Sakas (Scythians in the 1st century BC) and Kushans (in the 1st century AD).
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47. The first Persian ruler who captured some part of India was-
(a) Cyrus
(b) Cambyses
(c) Darius-I
(d) Shaharsh
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (c) Darius-I
- Darius-I, a ruler from Persia, was the first one to attack parts of India back in 522-486 BC.
- This is according to the records of Herodotus.
- Darius was successful in taking over the land around the Indus River, the Rajputana desert.
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48. Which among the following was the earliest dynasty?
(a) Chalukya
(b) Pallava
(c) Rashtrakut
(d) Satavahana
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (d) Satavahana
- The Satavahana dynasty is the oldest of the choices given.
- It was set up and governed by Simuk around 200 BC.
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49. Arrange the following in chronological order:
A. Satavahanas
B. Vakatakas
C. Chalukyas
Select the correct code from the following:
(a) B-C-A
(b) C-B-A
(c) C-A-B
(d) A-B-C
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre.) 2021]
Ans (d) A-B-C
- Satavahanas – 1st century BCE
- Vakatakas – 3rd century AD
- Chalukyas – 543 AD
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50. Which Purana consists of the longest list of Andhra Satavahana kings?
(a) Vayu Purana
(b) Vishnu Purana
(c) Matsya Purana
(d) None of the above
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2006]
Ans. (c) Matsya Purana
- Puranas mention 30 Satavahana rulers, with 29 of them listed in the Matsya Purana.
|
51. Given below are two statements, one is labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): In the Satavahana period, Sanskrit along with Prakrit and other folk languages were developed.
Reason (R): Satavahana Kings promoted the use of Sanskrit and other folk languages for literary writings.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is correct explanation of (A).
- During the Satavahana period, Sanskrit and other local languages were developed.
- The Satavahana king supported the use of Sanskrit and other rural languages for writing literature.
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52. The capital of the Satavahanas was located at –
(a) Amravati
(b) Nanded
(c) Naldurg
(d) Durg
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
Ans. (a) Amravati
- The Satavahanas’ main capital was at Paithan or Pratisthan, but it is thought that their first capital was Amravati.
- Puranas say that the founder of the Satavahana dynasty was King Simuka.
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53. Which of the following places was the capital of Satvahanas?
(a) Pratisthan
(b) Nagarjuna Konda
(c) Shakal or Sialkot
(d) Pataliputra
[U.P. Lower (Spl) (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Pratisthan
- The Satavahanas had their main capital in Paithan or Pratisthan, though it is thought that their first capital was Amravati.
- King Simuka is said to be the first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, according to the Puranas.
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54. For which of the following rulers “Ekabrahmana” has been used?
(a) Pushyamitra Shunga
(b) Kharavela
(c) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(d) Susharman
[U.P. R.O./ A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (c) Gautamiputra Satakarni
- Gautami Balashri Nasik inscription mentions her son Gautamiputra Satakarni as “Ekabrahmana”, which some people believe means “unbeatable Brahmana”.
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55. Read these statements–
Assertion (A): Kushans traded through the Gulf of Persian and the Red Sea.
Reason (R): Their well-organized naval force base was highly qualified.
In context to the above which is the correct answer :
Code :
(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 the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
- The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Arikamedu excavations have found lots of proof that the Kushanas traded through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.
- However, there is no evidence about the Kushanas’ navy.
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56. King Kharavela is related to –
(a) Pillar inscription of Girnar
(b) Pillar inscription of Junagarh
(c) Hathigumpha inscription
(d) Sarnath inscription
[43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) Hathigumpha inscription
- Kharavela was the king of Kalinga, which is now known as Odisha, India.
- We know a lot about him from the Hathigumpha inscription, which is damaged and not dated, and from some other minor inscriptions found in Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves.
- These inscriptions are the only source of information about Kharavela.
- It is believed that he was a Jain.
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57. Which of the following inscriptions gives information about two Ashwamedha Yajnas performed by the king Pushyamitra Shung?
(a) Saranath inscription
(b) Besnagar inscription
(c) Ayodhya inscription
(d) Hathigumpha inscription
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (c) Ayodhya inscription
- Pushyamitra Sunga was the leader of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
- He took over power by killing Brihadratha in 184 BCE and created the Shunga dynasty.
- The Ayodhya inscription tells us that King Pushyamitra performed the two Ashwamedha Yagnas.
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58. Which of the following Kings was a Patron of Jainism?
(a) Ashoka
(b) Harsha
(c) Pulakeshin II
(d) Kharavela
[U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014]
Ans. (d) Kharavela
- Pushyamitra Sunga was an army leader of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
- He killed him in 184 BCE and started the Shunga rule.
- Evidence from an Ayodhya inscription informs us that King Pushyamitra Sunga held two Ashwamedha Yagnas.
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59. The King of Kalinga Kharavela was related to which of the following dynasties?
(a) Chedi
(b) Kadamba
(c) Kalinga
(d) Haryanka
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015, U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]
Ans. (a) Chedi
- Pushyamitra Sunga was the leader of the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha.
- He started the Shunga dynasty by killing Brihadratha in 184 BCE.
- A document from Ayodhya tells us that King Pushyamitra Sunga did two Ashwamedha Yagnas.
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60. Who among the following kings had heavily leaned towards Jainism?
(a) Dashratha
(b) Brihadratha
(c) Kharavela
(d) Huvishka
[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) Kharavela
- Pushyamitra Sunga was the leader of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
- In 184 BCE, he killed Brihadratha and started the Shunga dynasty.
- The information that he performed two Ashwamedha Yagnas were performed by King Pushyamitra Shunga.
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61. The inscription of Hathigumpha is the source of information about which king ?
(a) Kharvela
(b) Ashok
(c) Harshavardhan
(d) Kanishka
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) Kharvela
- The Hathigumpha inscription at Udaigiri, near Bhubaneshwar in Odisha, was written by Kharvela.
- We mainly know about Kalinga ruler Kharvela from this inscription.
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62. Kalinga’s King Kharvel was associated with:
(a) Mahameghvahana dynasty
(b) Chedi dynasty
(c) Satvahana dynasty
(d) Rath-Bhojak dynasty
(e) None of the above/ More than one of the above
[60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (e) None of the above/ More than one of the above
- Kharvela was the most famous king from the Mahameghavahana dynasty (which is sometimes called the Chedi Dynasty by some experts).
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63. The rulers of which of the following dynasties have been called ‘Shriparvatiya’ in Puranas?
(a) Vakatakas
(b) Ikshvakus
(c) Shaks
(d) Kharvelas
[U.P.P.C.S.C. (Pre) 2020]
Ans. (b) Ikshvakus
- The leaders of the Ikshvaku family were known as ‘Shri Parvatiya’ in the Puranas.
- They were under the rule of the Satavahanas, but when they lost power, the Ikshvakus declared themselves independent.
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64. Which field was mostly contributed by Eastern Roman ruler Justinian?
(a) Law
(b) Architecture
(c) Science
(d) Literature
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (a) Law
- Justinian is remembered for the way he changed Roman law.
- The Corpus Juris Civilis is still used in many current countries.
- Justinian completely revised Roman Law.
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