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SANKALP 2024
Ancient History - Prelims Questions DPP - 20

1. Who among the following was the founder of 4. Who among the following was the last ruler of
the Satavahana Dynasty? the Shunga Dynasty?
(a) Gautamiputra Satkarni (a) Agnimitra
(b) Simuka (b) Devabhuti
(c) Vashishtiputra Pulumavi (c) Pushyamitra Shunga
(d) Hala (d) Vasumitra

2. With reference to Satavahana Dynasty, consider 5. Consider the following statements:

the following statements: 1. Satavahanas issued coins made of lead
1. The Satavahanas are considered identical only.
with the ‘Andhras’ of the Puranas. 2. Satavahanas used to trade with the Roman
2. Their primary capital was Amravati and Empire.
secondary capital was Pratishthana. 3. Satavahanas were the first native rulers to
3. The Satavahana kingdom chiefly issue their own coins with the portraits of
comprised modern-day Andhra Pradesh, the rulers.
Telangana and Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are not
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only

3. With reference to Gautamiputra Satkarni, which

of the following statements is/are correct?
1. He was also known as Ekabrahmana,
which means a peerless Brahmana.
2. He donated land to the Buddhist monks,
the Mahasamghikas, at Karle and at
Nashik.
3. In Junagarh inscription, he is described as
the destroyer of the Shakas, Pahlavas, and
the Yavanas
Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer

1. (b) 5. (a)
2. (d)
3. (a)
4. (b)

Hints and Solutions
1. Option (b) is correct:
Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana
dynasty. In Deccan and in central India, the
Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas though
after a gap of almost 100 years. The
Satavahanas are considered identical with the
‘Andhras’ of the Puranas.
2. Option (d) is correct:
Statement 1 is correct: The Satavahanas are
considered identical with the ‘Andhras’ of the
Puranas. In Deccan and in central India, the
Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas though
after a gap of almost 100 years.
Statement 2 is not correct: The Primary
capital of Satavahana was Pratishthana (modern
day Paithan in Maharashtra) on Godavari River
& their secondary capital was Amravati.
Statement 3 is correct: The Satavahana
kingdom chiefly comprised modern-day Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.
3. Option (a) is correct:
About Gautamiputra Satkarni:
❖ Gautamiputra Satkarni (c.106–130 CE)
was also known as Ekabrahmana, which
means a peerless Brahmana.
❖ He not only defeated the Shakas but also
raised the power and prestige of the
Satavahanas to greater heights. He
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donated land to the Buddhist monks, the
Mahasamghikas, at Karle and at Nashik.
❖ In the Nashik Inscription he is described
as:
➢ The destroyer of the Shakas, Pahlavas,
and the Yavanas;
➢ The uprooter of the Kshaharatas and
➢ The restorer of the glory of the
Satavahanas.
4. Option (b) is correct:
Devabhuti, also known as Devabhumi, was the
last ruler of the Shunga Dynasty. According to
the Harschacharita, he was murdered by
Vasudeva Kanva, the Brahmana minister who
established the Kanva Dynasty.
5. Option (a) is correct:
Satavahanas issued coins of lead, potins
(silver-like alloy used in coins which is
typically a mixture of copper, tin and lead),
copper etc. They did not issue gold coins but
used gold as bullion. They used to trade with
the Roman Empire. Pratishthana & Tagara
were important trade centres. They were the
first native rulers to issue their own coins with
the portraits of the rulers. It was standard
practice to cultivate cotton, transplant paddy,
and mine iron ores at Karimnagar and
Warangal.