1

INDEX

1. Stone Age / Indus Valley Civilization – Bronze Age ........................................................................... 2

2. Early Vedic Age (1500-900 BC) / Later Vedic Age (900-600 BCE) Mahajanapadas / Age of Buddha 11
3. Jainism & Buddhism ....................................................................................................................... 21
4. Mauryan Empire, Post Mauryan Age, Megaliths & Sangam Age .................................................... 32
5. Gupta Age, Post Guptas .................................................................................................................. 41
6. Pallavas & Chalukyas in South, Chola Empire (9th -12th Century) .................................................. 48
7. Ghaznavid & Turkish Invasions, Delhi Sultanate (1200 - 1400 CE) .................................................. 57
8. Vijayanagara & Bahmini kingdom .................................................................................................. 63
9. Mughal Empire, Rise of Marathas................................................................................................... 67
10. Religious & Cultural Development in India Bhakti Sufi movements etc .......................................... 70
 2

Stone Age / Indus Valley Civilization – Bronze Age

Q.1) Answer: C
 Option (c) is correct: The term 'Teri’ signifies a
coastal landscape caused by sand dunes.
 These soils may have originated in the
Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period
Mesolithic sites in India are found in
the Coastal areas Mumbai , teri sites of
Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu and
Vishakapatnam. These sites have yielded
microlithic tools which is a marked feature of
the Mesolithic age.
Q.2) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chalcolithic
people were not acquainted with burnt bricks
and rarely used in the settlements. Their
houses were made of mud bricks but mostly
these were constructed with wattle and daub
and seemed to have been thatched houses.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Chalco-lithic
people used copper as well stone tools. The
stone tools found at the Chalcolithic sites
indicate a large number of stone tools smaller
in size known as Microliths.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Chalcolithic sites in
Western Maharashtra have yielded large
numbers of burials of Children. This indicates
that the rate of infant mortality in Chalcolithic
settlements was very high.
 Option (a) is correct: Menhir and Dolmen are
the forms of different burial
practices followed by the Megalithic builders
of South India.
 Many archaeologists place the Megaliths
found in south India around (1500 BC to 500
BC), i.e. the Iron age.
 Megaliths refer to large stone structures that
were constructed either as burial sites or as
commemorative site
 A Menhir is a stone Monolithic standing
vertically. It could also exist as part of a group
of similar stones
 Dolmen: This is a type of megalith which is
made in a single chamber tomb, usually
consisting of three or more upright stones
supporting a large flat horizontal capstone.
Menhir
Dolmen

Q.5) Answer: C
Q.3) Answer: C Statement 1,2 and 4 are correct:
 Both statements are correct: The painted grey  Animals represented on seals and terracotta
ware (PGW) is dated too. 1100 to 800 BCE. The art of the Harappan Culture – Unicorn (Bull),
pottery was fine grey in colour with painted Antelope, Crocodile ,Rhinoceros, Tiger.
geometric designs. The painted grey ware laid  Animals NOT represented on seals and
the foundation of the early political
formations. The Iron Age in North India
coincides with the painted Grey Ware
culture.
 The Painted Grey Ware cultural phase is
followed by Northern Black Polished Ware
culture (NBPW), which is associated with the
Mahajanapada and Mauryan periods.
Source: Tamil Nadu State Board
terracotta art of the Harappan Culture - Camel
, Horse , Lion.

Q.4) Answer: A
 3

Q.7) Ans: A
Extra Edge by Only IAS
Exp:
About Mesolithic culture
● Pashupati (lord of shiva) seal is a steatite seal
 Mesolithic sites are found in most parts of
with a depiction of a three headed figure
India. They occur in all eco-zones from the
of Mahadeva surrounded by four animals
coasts to the hills: sand dunes, rock shelters,
Elephant,TIger, Rhino and Buffalo.
deltaic regions, lake areas, forested territories,
● Pashupati is represented as a yogi or a proto
hilly and mountainous areas, rocky terrains
shiva figure seated in a traditional cross leg
and coastal environments.
pose.
 Statement 1 is correct: Hunting wild animals
and gathering plant food and fishing were
people’s main occupation during this age.
Q.6) Answer: D
Agriculture was not practised in the early
 Statement 1 is Incorrect : Harappan people
stages. At the end of the Mesolithic period,
Engaged in inter-regional as well as foreign
humans domesticated animals and paved the
trade. Sumerian texts refer trade relation
way for the Neolithic way of life. The rock
with Meluha ie. ancient name given to Indus
paintings of Central India depict hunting,
region & mentions 2 intermediate trading
trapping, fishing and plant food collection.
stations- Dilmun (Bahrain) & Makan (Makran
 Statement 2 is correct: The faunal evidence
coast). Gold, copper, tin and several semi
from this period shows that people belonging
precious stones were imported. Main exports
to this period hunted cattle, gaur, buffalo,
were several agricultural products such as
barasingha, porcupines, sambar, chital,
wheat, oilseeds, barley, cotton goods,
gazelle, hog deer, nilgai, jackal, turtle, fish, wild
terracotta figurines, beads etc.
hare, lizard fox and monitor lizard.
Bones of rhinoceros and elephant have also
been found. They used spears, bow and arrow
and traps. The paintings of Bhimbetka show
that various animals were hunted and for this
men and women went together. The people
used fire and perhaps roasted food.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mesolithic
people buried the dead, which suggests their
beliefs and humane relationships. Human
skeletons have been found in Mahadaha,
 Statement 2 is Incorrect : The Harappans
Damdama and Sarai Nahar Rai in Uttar
got copper from the present day Rajasthan and
Pradesh. At Mahadaha, a man and a woman
Baluchistan But they were not able to produce
were buried together. One burial had an ivory
enough copper to export it to its contemporary
pendant as the grave good.
Mesopotamian civilization.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect : There is evidence of
Q.8) Ans: B
use of gold, silver, nickel and precious metal in
Exp:
the civilisation that was sourced from Southern
Bhimbetka Rock Paintings:
India but there is no evidence of use of iron in
 The tools show well thought-out design and
civilization. Although Harappan Culture
physical symmetry, and convey high-quality
belongs to the Bronze age, they used bronze
cognitive (perception) skills and capabilities of
on a limited scale. Bronze is an alloy of copper
prehistoric humans. They used the tools for
and tin.
hunting, butchering and skinning the animals,
breaking the bones for bone marrow and to
recover tubers and plant foods, and for
processing food.

 Art is an integral part of human existence.
While evidence of art is found in Europe in
large volume, they are found only at a few sites
in India. A chert stone used as a core had
geometric engravings from Chandravati in
Rajasthan, bone objects from Bhimbetka and
human tooth engraved with geometric design.
 Rock paintings are found in the rock shelters of
Madhya Pradesh and Central India. They show
people hunting, trapping animals and fishing
and dancing. Bhimbetka near Bhopal, Raisen
and Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and South
Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh are some of the
sites. Haematite, an iron-rich stone with
traces of rubbing, has been found. These
people might have decorated themselves with
flowers and leaves.
Q.9) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Neolithic period
marked the beginning of agriculture and
animal domestication. It is an important phase
in Indian history. Early evidence of Neolithic
culture is found in the Fertile Crescent region
of Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus region,
the Ganges valley of India and also in China.
Between 10,000 BCE to 5000 BCE, agriculture
emerged in these regions, which led to several
cultural developments.
 Statement 2 is correct: The introduction of
domestication of animals and plants resulted
in the production and supply of a large
quantity of grains and animal food. The fertile
soil deposited by the rivers enhanced the
growth of agriculture, generating a surplus of
grains.
Surplus food production played a major role in
the rise of early civilisations. Large villages
came to exist and pottery developed.
Permanent residences were built. Hence, the
4
cultural developments of this period are called
the Neolithic revolution.
 The Neolithic cultures of India are divided into
various regional cultures and they flourished
in different time periods. In the north-western
part of India and Pakistan, it began at a very
early date. In north-eastern India, Neolithic
cultures appeared at a very late date, around
the early historic time
Q.10) Ans: D
Exp:
 Mature Harappan culture developed in some
of the areas occupied by the Early Harappan
cultures. These cultures also shared certain
common elements including subsistence
strategies.
 Statement 1 is correct: The Harappans ate a
wide range of plant and animal products,
including fish. Archaeologists have been able
to reconstruct dietary practices from finds of
charred grains and seeds.
o These are studied by archaeo-
botanists, who are specialists in
ancient plant remains. Grains found at
Harappan sites include wheat, barley,
lentil, chickpea and sesame. Millets
are found from sites in Gujarat. Finds
of rice are relatively rare.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Animal bones found
at Harappan sites include those of cattle,
sheep, goat, buffalo and pig. Studies done by
archaeo-zoologists or zoo- archaeologists
indicate that these animals were
domesticated. Bones of wild species such as
boar, deer and gharial are also found.
 Statement 3 is correct: We do not know
whether the Harappans hunted these animals
themselves or obtained meat from other
hunting communities. The Harappans ate a
wide range of plant and animal products,
including fish. Bones of fish and fowl are also
found.
Q.11) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: The people of the
Harappan civilization practiced agriculture as
evidence of grains have been recovered which
includes wheat, barley, lentil, rice, millets, etc.
However, they were mostly located on semi-
arid lands and therefore required extensive

irrigation for agriculture. The evidence of a
canal found from Shortughai (trading post) in
Afghanistan also indicates that irrigation might
have been done through this water.
 Statement 2 is correct: Dholavira in Gujarat
also contains evidence of a water reservoir
which was used for the storage of water for the
purpose of irrigation needs. It is the latest
Harappan city discovered and provides
evidence of a stadium, dams, embankments,
and a large sized advertisement board.
Q.12) Answer: B
 Option B is correct: The word Shaman is used
to indicate those men and women that have
healing and magical powers. They are known
to establish communication with the other
worlds. It is regarded as a religious practice
that is associated with the tribal people. It is
different from the Shramana tradition which
deals with the practices of Jainism and
Buddhism. The Shramana tradition was
patronized by the Ashoka. It was initiated by
the wandering ascetics who renounced
worldly existence for the search of the
meaning of life and the universe.
Q.13) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: It is obtained
from Mohenjo-daro and is made of steatite. It
depicts a human figure of a deity referred to
as Pashupati with three horned headgear and
surrounded by animals like elephants, tiger,
rhinoceros, and
buffalo. Two antelopes also appear at the
bottom of the figure.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: It is found
in Mohenjo-daro and is regarded as
the world’s oldest bronze sculpture that
5
depicts a naked girl covered with ornaments
and standing in a tribhanga position.
 Statement 3 is correct: Bearded priest is
another figure obtained from Mohenjo-
daro and made of Steatite and is draped in a
shawl.
 Statement 4 is incorrect: Male torso is
obtained from Harappa and is made up of red
sandstone. It depicts only the frontal posture
with holes in places of head and arms.
Q.14) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: Mesopotamian texts
refer to Oman as Magan/Makan. There has
been evidence of trade between the Oman and
the Harappan people. The trade was of barter
type wherein the Harappans exchanged a Jar
coated with the thick clay for preventing the
percolation of the stored liquid with that of the
Omani copper. Presence of Nickel traces in
both the Harappan and Omani objects
indicates trade relations between the two.
 Statement 2 is correct: Inland
transportation was highly developed for the
purpose of trade. Mesopotamian texts refer to
the people of the Harappan civilization
as Meluhha or the land of
seafarers. Also, boats and ships are indicated
in some of the Harappan seals.
Q.15) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: Terracotta figures of
several female goddesses have been found
from the Harappan seals which indicate the
worship of Mother Goddess. Also, a plant
emerging from an embryo indicates
that Mother Earth was also worshipped. There
has been evidence of Phallus worship which
later developed into Hinduism as Shivlinga.
Hence, a number of symbols of Phallus and

female sex organs have been found which
are made of stone.
 Statement 2 is correct: The people of
Harappan civilization wore amulets to ward off
any evil spirit. The Bronze statue of the Dancing
girl from Mohenjo-daro also carries an amulet
in her arms. The use of amulets for warding off
spirits also finds mention in the Atharva
Veda. Atharva Veda is one of the four Vedas
that deals with the cure of several diseases. It
also contains the details of several rituals.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Animals like one
horned rhinoceros and the humped bull are
also worshipped by the Harappan people. They
believed in nature worship. Trees are also
depicted in the seals. In one of the seals, a deity
is depicted amidst the branches of a Pipal tree.
Q.16) Answer: A
 Pair 1 is correct: At Dholavira a signboard
containing ten letters of the Indus script was
found. The inscription is the one of the longest
in the Indus script. However until the Indus
script is deciphered, what the sign is saying still
remains a mystery. Dholavira is 5th largest city
of Indus civilization and it was discovered in
1968 by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi. It is
recently added in the UNESCO world heritage
sites. It is 40th site from India and the first site
of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) to
get the tag. Other findings at Dholavira - giant
water reservoir, unique water harnessing
system, stadium, dams and embankments
 Pair 2 is correct: The figure of a bearded man
or the Priest king was found at Mohenjo Daro.
Fillet with circular inlay ornament on the
forehead & smaller ornament on the Right
upper arm. Mohenjo-Daro is the largest of all
the Indus cities. It is located in present Pakistan
6
on the River Indus. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
– the two major sites of this civilisation – are
among the earliest and finest examples of
urban civic planning. The towns were laid out
in a rectangular grid pattern. Important
findings - the citadel, the great bath, the great
granary, post cremation burial, sculpture of
bearded priest, the famous bronze statue of
the Dancing Girl and Pashupati Seal.
 Pair 3 is correct: Lothal & Chanhudaro were
famous Bead making factory sites in IVC. Many
seals were found in a storehouse found in
Lothal.
The Harappans used a large variety of
materials, from precious metals and
gemstones to bones and even baked clay, to
make ornaments. Both men and women wore
ornaments like necklaces, fillets, armlets and
finger rings. Girdles, earrings and anklets were
worn only by women. Beads made from
carnelian, amethyst, quartz, steatite, etc. were
quite popular and were produced on a large
scale, as is evident from the factories
discovered in Chanhudaro and Lothal.
Lothal is situated near the Ahmadabad in
Gujarat. Excavations have revealed the world’s
oldest known artificial dock, which was
connected to an old course of the Sabarmati
River.
 Pair 4 is incorrect: The famous Pashupati seal
is a steatite seal discovered at Mohenjo daro
depicts a deity sitting cross legged. The figure
wears a 3 horned headgear & is surrounded by
animals Elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, buffalo & 2
antelopes.
Q.17) Answer: C
● Statement 1 is correct: Terracotta figures of
women from the Chalcolithic period suggest
that the Chalcolithic people venerated the
mother goddess. Similar terracotta figures of
the mother goddess have also been found
from the Indus Valley Civilisation.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The people of the
Chalcolithic period used to deposit pots and
some copper objects in the graves for the use
of the dead in the next world. This shows their
belief in the afterlife. Similarly, Harappan
 7

people also buried pottery and ornaments,

indicating a belief that these could be used in
the afterlife.
● Statement 3 is correct: Both the settlement
pattern and burial practices suggest the
beginning of social inequalities in the
chalcolithic society. Some settlements in Jorwe
are as large as twenty hectares but others are
only five hectares and even less. This suggests The findings
that the large settlements dominated the from Mohenjodaro include a great bath,
smaller ones. In the Indus Valley Civilisation, the great granary, post cremation burial,
the citadel and the lower town were depiction sculpture of a bearded priest, the
of social inequalities. famous bronze statue of the Dancing Girl and
Pashupati Seal.
Q.18) Answer: C
 Pair 1 is correct: At Lothal, a brick structure has
been identified as a dockyard meant for
Q.19) Answer: D
berthing ships and handling cargo. This
 Statement 1 is correct: Perhaps the
suggests that Lothal was an important port
most unique feature of the Harappan
and trading centre of the Harappan people.
Civilisation was the development of urban
 Pair 2 is correct: One of the most exciting centres. The settlement is divided into two
discoveries at Dholavira is a large wooden sections, one smaller but higher and the other
"signboard" just outside the north entrance much larger but lower.
to the citadel. This is actually one of ● Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel
the longest Indus inscriptions known. There and the Lower Town respectively. The Citadel
are 10 symbols in the panel, each one is about owes its height to the fact that buildings were
37 centimetres high and the board on which constructed on mud brick platforms. It was
the letters were inscribed appears to have walled, which meant that it was physically
been about 3 meters long. However until the separated from the Lower Town.
Indus script is deciphered, what the sign is
saying still remains a mystery.
 Pair 3 is correct: The furrows discovered in
the pre-Harappan phase
at Kalibangan indicate that the fields
were ploughed in Rajasthan during the
Harappan period. The Harappans probably
used the wooden plough drawn by oxen,
and camels may also have been used for this
● Statement 2 is correct: One of the
purpose.
most distinctive features of Harappan
 Pair 4 is incorrect: The findings cities was the carefully planned drainage
from Harappa include 2 rows of six system. If you look at the plan of the Lower
granaries with big platforms, stone Town you will notice that roads and streets
symbols of lingam and yoni, mother goddess were laid out along an approximate “grid”
sculpture, wheat and barley in wooden pattern, intersecting at right angles. It seems
mortar, dice, copper scale and mirror. that streets with drains were laid out first and
Moreover, a sculpture of a dog chasing a then houses built along them. If domestic
deer in bronze metal, and a red sandstone wastewater had to flow into the street drains,
male torso have been excavated. every house needed to have at least one wall
along a street.
 8

● Statement 3 is correct: The Lower Town  Mature Harappan sites and location:
at Mohenjodaro provides examples o Manda -- India
of residential buildings. Many were centered o Harappa --- Pakistan
on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides. The o Banawali ---- India
courtyard was probably the centre of o Rakhigarhi---India
activities such as cooking and o Mitathal----India
weaving, particularly during hot and dry o Ganweriwala----Pakistan
weather. What is also interesting is o Kot Diji ----Pakistan
an apparent concern for privacy: there are no o Amri ----Pakistan
windows in the walls along the ground level. o Chanhudaro---Pakistan
Besides, the main entrance does not give a o Balakot----Pakistan
direct view of the interior or the courtyard. o Mohenjodaro---Pakistan
o Sutkagendor--- pakistan
o Dholavira--- India
Q.20) Answer: D o Lothal --- India
 Mature Harappan culture developed in some o Nageshwara -- india
of the areas occupied by the Early Harappan
cultures. These cultures also shared
certain common elements including Q.22) Answer: C
subsistence strategies. The Harappans ate  Statement 1 is correct: The Indus people
a wide range of plant and animal sowed seed in the floodplains in November,
products, including fish. when the flood water receded, and reaped
 Archaeologists have been able to reconstruct their harvest of wheat and barley in April,
dietary practices from finds of charred before the advent of the next flood. They
grains and seeds. These are studied produced wheat, barley, rice, peas,
by archaeo-botanists, who are specialists sesame, mustard and rice.
in ancient plant remains.  Statement 2 is correct: Foodgrains were
 Grains found at Harappan sites include wheat, stored in huge granaries in both Mohenjodaro
barley, lentil, chickpea and Harappa. Probably, cereals were received
and sesame. Millets are found from sites in as taxes from peasants and stored in
Gujarat. Finds of rice are relatively rare. granaries for the payment of wages as well as
Animal bones found at Harappan sites include use during emergencies.
those of cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo and  No hoe or ploughshare has been discovered,
pig. Studies done by archaeo-zoologists but the furrows discovered in the pre-
or zoo-archaeologists indicate that these Harappan phase at Kalibangan show that the
animals were domesticated. fields were ploughed in Rajasthan in
 Bones of wild species such as boar, deer and the Harappan period. The Harappans probably
gharial are also found. We do not know used the wooden ploughshare. We do not
whether the Harappans hunted these know whether the plough was drawn by men
animals themselves or obtained meat from or oxen. Stone sickles may have been used for
other hunting communities. harvesting the crops.

Q.21) Answer: B Q.23) Answer: A

 The Indus Valley was home to the largest of
the four ancient urban civilizations of
Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. In the
1920s, the Archaeological Department of
India carried out excavations in the Indus
valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities,
viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were
unearthed.
 Statement 1 is correct: Neolithic Age (6000 B.C
to 4000 B.C.) was the last and third part of the
Stone Age. The Neolithic Age saw a man
turning into a food producer from a food
gatherer. It also witnessed the use of pottery
for the first time. People used microlithic
blades in addition to tools made of polished
stone. The use of metal was unknown.

 Statement 2 is correct: The Neolithic settlers
were the earliest farming communities. They
broke the ground with stone hoes and digging
sticks at the end of which ring stones weighing
one to half a kilogram were fixed. The people
of the Neolithic Age cultivated ragi, horse
gram, cotton, rice, wheat, and barley and
hence were termed as food producers.
 Statement 3 is correct: They led a settled life.
The people of the Neolithic Age lived in
rectangular or circular houses which were
made of mud and reed. The people of
Mehrgarh lived in mud-brick houses while pit-
dwelling is reported from Burzahom,
the Neolithic site found in Kashmir.
Q.24) Answer: B
 Statements 1 is incorrect: Archaeologists have
discovered thousands of seals, mostly made
of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert,
copper, faience, and terracotta, with beautiful
figures of animals, such as unicorn bull,
rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bison, goat,
buffalo, etc. Some seals have also been found
in ivory.
 Statement 2 is correct: The realistic
rendering of these animals in various moods is
remarkable. The purpose of producing
seals was mainly commercial. It appears that
the seals were also used as amulets, carried on
the persons of their owners, perhaps as
modern-day identity cards. The standard
Harappan seal was a square plaque 2×2 square
inches and rectangular made from steatite.
Every seal is engraved in a pictographic script
which is yet to be deciphered.
Q.25) Answer: A
 The Harappan people were aware of almost all
the metals except iron. They manufactured
gold and silver objects.
 A number of copper tools and weapons have
also been discovered. The common tools
included an axe, saws, chisels, knives,
spearheads and arrowheads.
 There is evidence of the use of the
bronze though in a limited manner. The
most famous specimen in this regard is the
bronze ‘dancing girl’ figurine discovered at
Mohenjodaro. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
9
 It is a nude female figure, with a right arm on
the hip and left arm hanging in a dancing pose.
She is wearing a large number of bangles.
 Pottery-making was also an important industry
in the Harappan period. These were
chiefly wheel-made and were treated with
a red coating and had decorations in black.
 The painted motifs, generally noticed on the
pottery, are pipal leaves, fish-scale design,
intersecting circles, zigzag lines, horizontal
bands and geometrical motifs with floral and
faunal patterns. The Harappan pottery is well
baked and fine in decorations. Hence
statement 2 is correct.
Q.26) Answer: A
SOME MAJOR STRUCTURAL REMAINS OF THE
HARAPPAN TOWNS-
 At Mohenjodaro the ‘Great Bath’ is the most
important structure.
It is surrounded by corridors on all sides and
is approached at either end by a flight of steps
in north and south. A thin layer of
bitumen was applied to the bed of the Bath to
ensure that water did not seep in. Scholars
believe that the ‘Great Bath’ was used for
ritual bathing. Hence pair 1 is correctly
matched.
 At Lothal, a brick structure has been identified
as a dockyard meant for berthing
ships and handling cargo. This suggests that
Lothal was an important port and trading
center of the Harappan people.
Archaeologists have also found evidence of
a ploughed field at Kalibangan associated with
Early Harappan levels.

The field had two sets of furrows at right
angles to each other, suggesting that two
different crops were grown together. Hence
pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
 In Dholavira, The remains show an
imposing citadel in the centre, with a middle
and lower town, each fortified separately, built
with pleasingly smoothed structures of sun-
dried brick and stone masonry, and with
remarkable town planning. Well laid out lanes
lead outward systematically from the citadel,
with a well-constructed underground drainage
system for sanitation. There is a made jewellery of gold, silver, carnelian, and
large stadium with a complex structure and
seating arrangement in Dholavira. Hence pair
3 is incorrectly matched.
Q.27) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Harappan
civilization or the Indus Valley Civilization can
be classified into three phases: Early Harappan
Phase (3200-2600 B.C.); Mature Harappan
Phase (2600-1900 B.C.); and Late Harappan
Phase (1900-1300 B.C.). There exists slight
variation in each of the phases, yet it is marked
by continuity in each of the phases. The
Harappan civilization was known for its
extensive town planning and well designed
drainage pattern. Besides, there was a huge
degree of craft specialization. The Harappan
people were well equipped with potter’s
wheel and made red pottery with black
designs. However, they were poor in stone
art.
10
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The Harappan
civilization was marked by the absence of the
temples and favored the worship of trees,
animals, and followed idol worship. There
were no temples, and it was largely
a secular civilization. Yet, a number of
terracotta figurines of the female goddess, the
Pashupati seal, and the phallus worship
indicate that idol worship was practiced.
Q.28) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: Harappans greatly
specialized in the making of beads and
other precious stones. At a site
named Allahdino, near Karachi, a lot of
jewellery made up of gold, silver, copper,
carnelian, and other precious stones have been
unearthed.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Kot Bala is a
Harappan site located in Pakistan from where
the earliest evidence for the use
of furnaces have been found. Kerala-no-
dhoro in Gujarat is another Harappan site
from where evidence of salt production has
been obtained.
 Statement 3 is correct: Balu is a Harappan site
located in the state of Haryana from where the
evidence for the production of Garlic has been
found. It is also famous for the various plant
remains obtained from this site.
Students Note:
 11

Early Vedic Age (1500-900 BC) / Later Vedic Age (900-600 BCE) Mahajanapadas /
Age of Buddha
associated with it were known as karmar. The
Q.1) Answer: A Aryans were engaged in two types of conflicts.
 Statement 1 is correct - Cattle were
considered to be the most important wealth
and among them cows were the most
precious. Wealth was determined by the
number of cows one possessed.
 Statement 2 is correct - Cows were given as
gifts to the priests which suggests its sanctity First they fought with pre-Aryans/indigenous
as a sacred thing.Cows were given to the people and secondly they fought among
officiating priest in the rajasuya sacrifice to pay themselves. Wars were fought mainly to gain
tribute. supremacy of cattle wealth and in the later
period for territorial expansion.

 Statement 3 is incorrect - Early Aryans were
pastoralists in nature and practiced agriculture
as a secondary activity. They possessed better
knowledge of agriculture and were acquainted
with sowing, harvesting and threshing, and
knew about various seasons also.
Q.2) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect - The king did not
maintain any standing army, but in times of
war he mustered a militia whose military
functions were performed by different tribal
groups called vrata, gana, sardha. Tribal units
continued to be assembled in times of war. By
and large, it was a tribal system of government
in which the military element was strong.
 Statement 2 is Correct - The rig Vedic people
used chariots for warfare.
The term ayas is used for copper or bronze
shows that metal-working was known to them.
They possessed better arms. The smelting of
metals was known and the population
Q.3) Answer: C
 Option A is Incorrect: The later Vedic text
draws a line between the three higher varnas
on the one hand and the Shudras on the other.
The worst position was reserved for the
Shudras. They were made servants of another.
 Option B is Incorrect:This type of sacrifice is
known as Rajasuya sacrifice rituals
strengthened the influence of the king.It was
the consecration ceremony/kings inaugural
sacrifice ritual.The king’s influence was
strengthened by this ritual and it was supposed
to confer supreme power on him.
 Option C is Correct: Vish word was used to
describe the people or the community as a
whole. It was used with the word jana (same
meaning). The king received a voluntary
present called bali from them.
 Option D is Incorrect: Tribal clan based
assemblies are mentioned as sabha, samiti,
vidatha and gana are mentioned in the Rig
Veda. Vidhata seems to be the oldest. Sabha
had few chiefs while Samiti was
larger body. These assemblies were
conferred with decision making associated
with military, religious and political.

Q.4) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct - The two outstanding
Rig Vedic Gods, Indra and Agni, lost their
former importance. Prajapati, the creator
came to occupy the supreme position during
the later vedic age. Vishnu came to be
regarded as the preserver and protector of the
people. Pushan was regarded as the God of
shudras who looked after the cattle.
 Statement 2 is correct - People worshipped
Gods for the same material reasons in this
period as they did in earlier times.However,the
mode of worship changed
considerably.Sacrifices and rituals have taken
the forefront.It involved killing of animals in
public and domestic spaces.Led to the
destruction of cattle wealth.The gowing cult of
sacrifices enormously added to the power of
Brahmanas and the later vedic society got
divided into 4 varnas:Brahmins-Kshatriyas-
Vaishyas-Shudras.
 Statement 3 is correct - Institution of gotra
appeared in the later Vedic times.It meant the
place where cattle belonging to the whole clan
are kept,but in course of time it signified
descent from a common ancestor.People
began to practice gotra exogamy and no
marriage can take place between same gotra.
Wars fought not only for the possession of
cattle but also for the territory.The famous
battle of Mahabharata is attributed to this
period.
 Statement 4 is correct - The tribal pastoralists
transformed into peasants.The tribal chiefs
started to become dominant at the expense of
the tribal peasant. Crops produced include
rice(Vrihi),wheat(Godhuma), sugarcane, lentil,
millet, barley. Cattle rearing continued to be
practiced. Iron was used in the later vedic age
along with bronze and copper
Q.5) Answer: D
Option D is correct:
12
 Sacrifices became an important and common
aspect in the later vedic period. They acquired
a holistic character and performed both
publicly and at households.The king along with
the entire community took part in it.
 Individuals offered obligations to Agni and
each of these took the form of a ritual or
sacrifice.Sacrifices involved the killing of
animals on a large scale and especially the
destruction of cattle wealth.The guest was
known as goghna or one who was fed on
cattle.
Q.6) Ans: A
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Vedas (Vid = to
know, Vidya) are one of the earliest known
texts to have been composed in India. The
language of the Vedas is described as Vedic
Sanskrit. The Vedas are four: Rig, Yajur, Sama
and Atharva. Among the four Rig Veda is the
oldest. The Vedic texts were memorized and
orally transmitted by Brahmins from
generation to generation. They were written
down in the later time period, with the
introduction of writing. The earliest known
written manuscripts of the Vedas date to the
10-11th century CE. They contain information
about the polity, society, religion and
philosophy, and hence they are a source for
writing history.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The main collections
of Vedic hymns are called samhitas. The Rig
Vedic- samhita is the earliest text. The Rig
Veda is dated to between 1500 and 1000 BCE.
The Rig Veda contains 10 books among
it Books 2 to 7 are the earliest and the Books
1, 8, 9 and 10 are assigned to a later period.
Samhitas are ritualistic texts, and they explain
the social and religious importance of rituals.
 Each samhita has added texts called
brahmanas, which have commentaries on the

hymns and rituals. Each brahmana has an
aranyaka (forest text) and an upanishad. The
aranyakas contain mystical ritual instructions
to be undertaken in secret by the sages who
live in the forests. Upanishads deal with
philosophical enquiries.
Q.7) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Samhitas are ritualistic
texts, and they explain the social and religious
importance of rituals. Each samhita has added
texts called Brahmanas, which have
commentaries on the hymns and rituals. Each
Brahmana has an aranyaka (forest text) and
an upanishad. The aranyakas contain mystical
ritual instructions to be undertaken in secret
by the sages who live in the forests.
Upanishads deal with philosophical enquiries
 Statement 2 is correct: Sama veda is an
ancient Vedic Sanskrit text, and part of the
scriptures of Hinduism. One of the four Vedas,
it is a liturgical text which consists of 1,875
verses. All but 75 verses have been taken from
the Rigveda. The Yajur, Sama and Atharva
Vedas are dated to a slightly later period. The
samhitas of the Sama, Yajur and Atharva
Vedas, and the brahmanas, aranyakas and
upanishads attached to the Vedas are the Late
Vedic texts. The Sama Veda was composed in
musical notes which are considered to
constitute the basis of Indian music. The Yajur
Veda has rituals and hymns. The Atharva Veda
contains charms and magical spells.
Q.8) Ans: D
Exp:
All options are correct:
 The Later Vedic culture is dated to the period
between 1000 BCE and 700–600 BCE. The
Painted Grey Ware Culture of the Iron Age,
which has been identified by archaeologists at
many excavated sites, is associated with the
Later Vedic culture. This period witnessed
political, social, economic complexity and
developments. The Later Vedic texts were
composed after the Rig Veda Samhitas. The
Yajur, Samaand Atharva Vedas were
composed after the Rig Veda.
 The main collections of Vedic hymns are called
samhitas. The Rig Vedic-samhita is the earliest
13
text. The Rig Veda is dated to between 1500
and 1000 BCE. The Rig Veda contains 10 books.
Books 2 to 7 are the earliest and the Books 1,
8, 9 and 10 are assigned to a later period.
 Samhitas are ritualistic texts, and they explain
the social and religious importance of rituals.
Each samhita has added texts called
brahmanas, which have commentaries on the
hymns and rituals. Each brahmana has an
aranyaka (forest text) and an upanishad. The
aranyakas contain mystical ritual instructions
to be undertaken in secret by the sages who
live in the forests. Upanishads deal with
philosophical enquiries.
 The Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas are dated
to a slightly later period.
The
samhitas of the Sama, Yajur and Atharva
Vedas, and the brahmanas, aranyakas and
upanishads attached to the Vedas are the Late
Vedic texts. The Sama Veda Was composed in
musical notes which are considered to
constitute the basis of Indian music. The Yajur
Veda has rituals and hymns. The Atharva Veda
contains charms and magical spells.
Q.9) Ans: A
Exp
 The burial system followed by the people of
the Neolithic period continued into the
Megalithic period. A circular tomb using
o big stone slabs built upon the place of
burial is known as a megalith. Such
megaliths have been found in many parts
of Tamilnadu .
 The urn burial system was another type of
practice and is evidenced in Adichanallur
(present Thoothukudi district). Black-ware is
peculiar to burial sites in Tamilnadu.
Interestingly, black-ware is found mostly in
burial mounds and not in human habitations.

 In a majority of urn burials, the use of stone is
almost non-existent. However, urn burials are
grouped under megalithic because the
materials - the pottery, iron objects, beads of
semi-precious stones kept in them - are
identical to those found in the stone burials.
Q.10) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Vedic people
distinguished themselves from the non-Aryan
people. Varna was the term used by Aryans to
refer to colour and category. The Rig Veda
refers to Arya varna and Dasa varna. The Dasas
and Dasyus were conquered and treated as
slaves. They came to be considered sudras in
the later period. Social classes were classified
as warriors, priests and common people.
 Statement 2 and 3 are correct: Sudras as a
category of people appeared at the end of the
Rig Vedic period. Slavery was common and
slaves were given as gifts to the priests, but
there is no reference to wage labour. Horse-
drawn chariots and bronze objects were
possessed by a few, suggesting social
distinction. Vedic society was largely
egalitarian initially, and social distinctions
emerged later.
 According to the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda
the various varnas emerged thus: Brahmanas
from the mouth, the kshatriya from the arms,
the vaisya from the thighs and the sudra from
the feet of Purusha, when he was sacrificed.
Q.11) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: In the Rig Vedic
period the post of the tribal chief was not
hereditary and the tribe generally elected him.
In the Later-Vedic Period the post of tribal
chief had become hereditary. The idea of
14
the divine nature of kingship gets mentioned
in the literature of this period.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: In the Later-Vedic
period, Vidatha completely disappeared.
The sabha and samiti continued to hold their
presence but they lost their popular
character and came to be dominated by chief
and rich nobles. Women were no longer
permitted to sit in the Sabha.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: There was no
standing army in the Vedic period and in time
of war military functions were performed by
different tribal groups called Vratagana,
grama, sardha. Even in later Vedic times the
king did not have a standing army. Tribal
units were mustered in times of war and,
according to one ritual, for success in war, the
king had to eat along with his people (vis) from
the same plate.
Q.12) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Later Vedic Culture
and Civilization (C. 1000-500 BCE) : The Later
Vedic Age is characterised by more
complexities in social, political, and economic
life. In terms of the political context, the tiny
tribal settlements of the Vedic period were
replaced by comparatively stronger kingdoms,
while royal power increased. One of the most
important changes from the Rig Vedic society
was the rise and growth of social
differentiation in the form of the varna
system.Caste exogamy was extensively
practiced and a rigid social hierarchy
developed, which restricted the social mobility
of the earlier period. The increasing cult of
sacrifices added enormously to the power of
the Brahmanas.
 Statement 2 is incorrect : In the Later Vedic
family, a patrimonial (authority of father)
system developed and women were generally
confined to household chores and subordinate
positions. As compared to the Rig Vedic age,
women lost importance in the society and
there have been references to rare instances of

sati and child marriage.In one text, women
have been counted as a vice along with dice
and wine. In another text, a daughter has been
said to be the source of all sorrows.
 Statement 3 is correct : Pottery plays an
important role in studying culture and
reconstructing the past. Historically with
distinct culture, the style of pottery changed. It
reflects the social, economic and
environmental conditions a culture thrived in,
which helps the archaeologists and historians
in understanding our past . The Later Vedic
culture is also called as PGW–Iron Phase
culture, as a particular kind of pottery (painted
grey ware) was used during that phase.
 Statement 4 is correct: Assemblies were then
dominated by nobles and affluent men and
women were no longer permitted to attend
assemblies. Sabha and Samities continued to
hold ground, though not like the Rig Vedic Age,
but the vidatha completely disappeared.
Q.13) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect : The political conflict
among the Mahajanapadas ultimately led to
the emergence of Magadha as the most
powerful state and the centre of a vast empire.
Magadha’s rise to political supremacy began
with Bimbisara, who belonged to the Haryanka
dynasty, and ruled for 52 years, from 544 to
492 BCE. In the Mahavamsa, it is stated that he
was anointed as the king by his father at the
age of 15, which suggests that he was not the
founder of his dynasty. He was a
contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavira,
and paid equal respect to them.He pursued a
three-pronged policy, namely, matrimonial
15
alliances, friendship with strong rulers, and
conquest of weak neighbours to expand the
empire.
 Statement 2 is incorrect : Udayin (c. 460-444
BCE) also known as Udayabhadra was a king of
Magadha in ancient India. According to the
Buddhist and Jain accounts, he was the son
and successor of the Haryanka king
Ajatashatru. Udayin laid the foundation of the
city of Pataliputra at the confluence of two
rivers, the Son and the Ganges. He shifted his
capital from Rajgriha to Patliputra due to the
latter's central location in the empire.
 Statement 3 is correct : Forests in southern
areas of Magadhan Empire provided timber
and elephants, which gave a special military
advantage to Magadha as all the other
Mahajanapads effectively used horses and
chariots in warfare. Magadha was the first
state to use elephants on a large scale against
its neighbours. Elephants could be used in
storming fortresses and in marching over areas
lacking roads or other means of
communication.
Q.14) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct : Aryan society was
male dominated and patriarchal in nature. The
birth of daughters was not desired, but once
they were born, they were treated with
kindness and consideration. Women had a
position of honour in the household. Women
were given equal opportunities as men for
their spiritual and intellectual development.
There were women poets like Apala,
Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra during the
Rig Vedic period. Women could even attend
the popular assemblies. There was no child
marriage and the practice of sati was absent.
 Statement 2 is incorrect : The earliest life of
the Aryans seems to have been mainly
pastoral, agriculture being the secondary
occupation. They owed their prosperity to
cattle wealth. Fought wars to gain supremacy
of cattle wealth. They were well acquainted
with the sowing and harvesting procedures

(evident from the excavated wooden
ploughshare), they had knowledge about
various seasons also. Agriculture was mostly to
produce fodder.
 Statement 3 is correct : The horses played the
most significant role in their lives.Its swiftness
enabled them to make successful ventures to
new places.The domesticated horse appears in
the 6th millennium B.C in the Black Sea and the
Ural mountains area.Archaeological evidence
of the horse and cremation appears in Swat
Valley,Pakistan.
Q.15) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct - Gargi, Maitreyi and
Katyayani composed hymns and had scholarly
expertise. Early vedic society was male
dominated. Birth of daughters was not desired
during the early Rig Vedic period, but once
they were born, they were treated with
kindness and consideration. Their education
was not neglected. Women attended the
meetings of the Vidatha. Girls were free to
choose their life partners. There are no
instances of child marriage, sati, or purdah in
the Rig Veda
 Statement 2 is correct - During the Early vedic
period Girls enjoyed a lot more freedom than
the later vedic period. They were married long
after they had reached puberty and there
seems to have been considerable freedom in
the selection of husbands. There was no
purdah system.
 Statement 3 is correct - Remarriage of widows
was permitted and Niyoga or Levirate(a dead
man’s brother or next of kin marrying the
widow) was practiced by some. No instances of
child marriage or purdah system. Though
monogamy was the rule but polygamy was also
permitted. Instances (Maruts marriage with
Rodasi) of polyandry were also there.
 Statement 4 is correct - Status of women
declined in the later Vedic period and there
was social stratification based on gender lines.
Their participation in ceremonies was
restricted. They were stripped of the right to
attend assemblies. According to Aitareya
16
Brahmana, a daughter has been described as a
source of misery.
Q.16) Answer: A
 Option A is correct: The Aryans were also
known as manushi praja, who worshipped
Agni and who sometimes set fire to the house
of black-skinned people. The Aryans and their
enemies can be identified by the colour of their
skin.
 Option B is incorrect: Almost all the Vedic
Gods are associated with horses, and this is
particularly true of Indra and his fighting
companions, the maruts. The horse
symbolizes strength and is generally employed
as a metaphor for might. The Vedic people
prayed for horses in addition to praja and pasu.
 Option C is incorrect: Cattle sacrifices of the
Vedic period were called pasubandha, the
cattle rearers offered meat to their Gods and
in return asked for cattle wealth, so that their
practice of sacrificing cattle and eating meat
continued.
 Option D is incorrect: Wheat in the Vedic
period was known as godhuma. Other crops
were barley (yava), beans, sesamum(tila)
and vrihi-rice.
Q.17) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct. Only voluntary
offerings (Bali) were taken in the Rig Vedic
Period whereas the system for tax Collection
was established in the Later Vedic period. The
officers called sangrihitri were appointed for
that purpose. Vaishyas were the only tribute
payers in Later Vedic times.
 Statement 2 is correct. : In the later vedic
period life became sedentary and
the domestication of animals and cultivation
increased. The idea of private possession of
lands started taking shape. Trade was also
boosted. Thus the barter system in the early
vedic period was replaced by the exchange of
gold and silver in the later vedic period.
 Statement 3 is incorrect : The Kings in Rig
vedic time did not possess any standing
army. In the later Vedic Period, Territorial
 17

expansion led to certain rivalry among the Q.20) Answer: A

different groups, a still standing army was not  Statement 1 is correct: Rajgir was also called
possessed by the king in the Later Vedic as Girivraja as it was surrounded by five
period and gramas mustered in times of war. hills and any opening was closed by the stone
walls. Hence, it was entirely enclosed and
impregnable and was difficult to invade with
Q.18) Answer: A
the level of military technology present during
 Statement 1 is Correct: The Rig Vedic economy that time. However, with the use of cannons,
was clan based and pastoral in the city could be invaded and hence, its
nature. Evidence of trade and commerce is strategic importance began to decline.
meagre, and there was no concept of private
property based on land ownership. The clan as
a whole enjoyed rights over the resources.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect: Though agriculture
during the Rig Vedic period was primitive, the
Rig Vedic people were aware about the
concepts of soil fertility. The Rig Vedic hymns
refer to the levelling of fields for
cultivation, the desire for fertile fields
(urvara), and furrows (sita) drenched by rain,
producing rich harvests.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The Magadha society
Q.19) Answer: A was unorthodox in character. It was mainly
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Anguttara Nikaya, a inhabited by the Magadhas and Kirtas who
buddhist text, mentions the presence of the were regarded lowly by the orthodox
16 Mahajanpadas or the large states. They Brahmins. The rulers of Magadha were more
extended to the North of the Vindhya range inclined towards military conquests and hence
from the North-west frontier to Bihar. Of it emerged as the first large kingdom by
these, Kosala and Magadha were the two defeating the other kingdoms.
powerful ones. Magadha emerged into power
during the rule of the Haryanka Dynasty and Q.21) Answer: A
its ruler Bimbisara. He was succeeded by his
 Statement 1 is correct: As per the Buddhist
son Ajatshatru. The capital of the Magadha text, Anguttara Nikaya, there was the
then was Rajgir. The last ruler of this existence of 16 Mahajanapadas. The period
dynasty, Udayin , was succeeded by
of 6th Century B. C. was regarded as the era
the Shishunaga dynasty. Avanti was the of Second Urbanisation in India.
biggest rival of Magadha and had capitals
at Ujjain and Mahishmati. This rivalry ended
with the defeat of the Avanti by the
Shaisungas. Hence, it was not Ajatshatru rather
Shaishungas that brought an end to Avanti.
 Statement 2 is correct: The importance of
Avanti lies in the presence of good quality iron Among
weapons and the extensive use of smelting and the 16 Mahajanapadas or the large
forging to smelt the iron ore. states, Kosala and Magadha emerged as the
most powerful ones. The idea of territorial
importance increased manifolds as the people

showed greater allegiance to
the Mahajanapadas they belonged to as
against that of the Jana or tribe.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The record of this
period was obtained from a number of Pali
and Sanskrit texts and hence, there was no
disappearance of the Pali texts. The Buddhists
texts, Sutta, Vinaya, and Abhidhamma
pitaka were composed in Pali language.
The Jataka tales are written in both Pali and
Sanskrit language.
Q.22) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Rig Vedic Samhita is
the earliest text that relates to the Early Vedic
period. The Early Vedic culture is
placed between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE.
The political, social and economic aspects of
life of this period are reflected in the Rig Vedic
hymns.
 Kinship was the basis of the social
structure of Rig Vedic society. People were
identified with specific clans and the clans
formed the tribe or jana. The term jana occurs
in the Rig Veda 21 times but janapada does
not occur even once. The term vis, which refers
to the common people, occurs 170 times and
they lived in gramas (villages).
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The family (griha)
was the main social unit within the tribe. It
was headed by the grihapati and his wife was
known as sapatni. And the family at
that point of time was perhaps a joint family.
Q.23) Answer: D
 Archaeological evidence highlights
the development of agriculture among the Rig
Vedic people. The ploughshare is
also mentioned in the Rig Vedas. The field was
known as kshetra and the term krishi referred
to ploughing.
 The terms langla and sura referred to plough
and the term sita meant the furrow created
by ploughing. Water for irrigation was
probably drawn from wells by cattle-driven
water-lifts using pulleys.
 People had knowledge of different seasons,
sowing, harvesting and threshing. They
cultivated barley (yavam) and wheat
18
(godhuma). Cattle rearing was an
important economic activity for the Aryans,
although they practiced agriculture. There
was no private property on land.
Q.24) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: Although people
during the Rig Vedic period practiced
agriculture, Cattle rearing was an important
economic activity for them and Cattle were
considered wealth.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Rig Veda
mentions artisans such as carpenters, chariot-
makers, weavers and leather-workers. Copper
metallurgy was among the important
developments of this period. The term ‘ayas’
in the Rig Veda used refers to copper and
bronze. Karmara, smith, is mentioned in
the Rig Veda. Similarly, there are references
to siri or yarn, indicating spinning which was
done by women and to carpenters, takshan.
Weaving of clothes of wool is also referred to
and obviously it was necessary in the cold
weather. Some of the crafts were fulltime
crafts, involving specialists.
 Statement 3 is correct: Trading activities
were limited though traders were present
during the Early Vedic period. Panis are
referred to as traders and they were
perhaps caravan traders. The word pan means
barter, which was a mode of exchange. Nishka
was a gold or silver ornament used in barter.
 The term for war in the Rig Veda was
gavishthi which means search for cows.
The donations to the priests were
mainly cows and women slaves but not land,
which reveals the importance of pastoralism.
There was no private property on land.
Q.25) Answer: D
 The Rig Vedic society was a tribal society.
The chief of the tribe was the main political
head and he was known as rajan. They
offered gifts of cattle, chariots, horse
ornaments and gold to the priests. Rajan was
a hereditary chief and was perhaps elected by
the assembly called samiti.
 Tributes and booty collected from war were
redistributed by the king. There are also
references to gift of dasas or slaves. The
king Trasadasyu, the chief of the Purus, gave

away 50 women as a gift. The chief was known
as gopa or gopati which means, chief of cattle.
Q.26) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: During the Early Vedic
period trading activities were limited though
traders. Panis are referred to
as traders and they were perhaps caravan
traders. The word pan means barter, which
was a mode of exchange. Nishka was a gold or
silver ornament used in barter. The danas and
dakshinas offered to people were means of
redistributing resources. The dakshina was
both a fee for a specific service and also a
means of distributing wealth. The distribution
of cows helped spread pastoral
activities and economic production.
 Statement 2 is correct: The polity of the Rig
Vedic period was tribal in character. The chief
of the tribe was the main political head and he
was known as rajan. They offered gifts of
cattle, chariots, horse ornaments and gold to
the priests. Rajan was a hereditary chief. He
was perhaps elected by the assembly called
samiti. The main duty of the king was
to protect the tribe. He protected wealth,
fought wars, and offered prayers on behalf of
gods. The king had authority over the territory
and people.
Q.27) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is correct: Iron was an important
metal used for implements in this period. It
was called syama-ayas or krishna-ayas or
dark metal. Iron is believed to have played
an important role in the conversion of the
forests of the Ganga Valley into agricultural
lands. By the end of Vedic period,
the knowledge of iron had reached eastern
Uttar Pradesh and Videha.
 Earlier it was believed that iron originated
around 700 BCE, but recent research dates the
beginning of iron to around 1200 BCE or even
earlier. The early views gave excessive
emphasis to iron to the colonization of the
Ganga Valley, but new scholarship argues
that iron was not the only factor behind the
expansion of the population.
 Statement 2 is correct: With the intensification
of agriculture, the Later Vedic people led a
19
settled life leading to formation of territorial
units. The term janapada, referring
to territory, is found in the Brahmanas dated
to ca. 800 BCE. There are more than 1000 sites
of painted Grey Ware culture in this
area, suggesting that new settlements came
up and the Upper Ganga Valley was densely
populated.
 People lived either in mud-brick houses or
houses with wattle and daub walls. The
foundations for the towns must have emerged
during the later Vedic period. This was a period
of intense interactions. The term
nagara, referring to commercial quarters,
is found in the later Vedic texts.
 Statement 3 is correct: However, large towns
appeared only at the end of the Vedic period.
The sites of Hastinapura and Kausambi are
considered proto urban (urban-like)
settlements. The material culture of this
period shows more diversity and is
an improvement over the Early Vedic period.
It can be surmised that there was
surplus production to support various classes
such as chiefs, princes and priests.
Q.28) Answer: D
 The mahajanapadas on the Gangetic plains
were all monarchies. Vedic orthodoxy was
an established practice in these kingdoms.
The priestly class enjoyed a preeminent
status in the mahajanapadas unlike in
the gana-sanghas. The kingdoms
were governed by kings and
the administration was centralised. The
brahmin priests provided legitimacy to the
king through various rituals.
 The kingship was hereditary and the
succession was in most cases based on the law
of primogeniture. The king was assisted by
councils called parishad and sabha.
The councils were advisory in nature. The king
appropriated the agricultural
surplus through land revenue apart from
a few other taxes.
 Bali was a tax imposed based on the area of
cultivable land. Bhaga was obtained as a share
of the produce. Kara and Shulka Were some of
the other taxes collected during this period.
 20

Q.29) Answer: C wealth. Gradually, some states acquired

 The sixth century BCE is often regarded as standing armies and maintained regular
a major turning point in early Indian history. It bureaucracies. Others continued to depend
is an era associated with early states, cities, on the militia, recruited, more often than
the growing use of iron, the development of not, from the peasantry.
coinage, etc.
 Statement 1 is correct. It also witnessed the
growth of diverse systems of thought, Students Note:
including Buddhism and Jainism. Early
Buddhist and Jaina texts mention, amongst
other things, sixteen states known as
mahajanapadas. Although the lists vary, some
names such as Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru,
Panchala, Gandhara, and Avanti occur
frequently. Clearly, these were amongst the
most important mahajanapadas. While most
mahajanapadas were ruled by kings,
some, known as ganas or sanghas, were
oligarchies, where power was shared by a
number of men, often collectively called rajas.

 Statement 2 is correct: Each mahajanapada

had a capital city, which was often
fortified. Maintaining these fortified cities as
well as providing for incipient
armies and bureaucracies required
resources. Brahmanas began composing
Sanskrit texts known as the Dharmasutras.
These laid down norms for rulers (as well as for
other social categories), who were ideally
expected to be Kshatriyas. Rulers were
advised to collect taxes and tribute from
cultivators, traders, and artisans.
Raids in neighboring states were recognized as
a legitimate means of acquiring

Jainism & Buddhism
Q.1) Answer: B
 Bhagavati Sutra: Vyakhyaprajnapati is
commonly known as Bhagwati Sutra. It is an
important book of Jaina literature. It contains
details about Questions answered by
Mahavira. It also gives a different list of sixteen
Mahajanapada.
 Anguttara Nikaya: The Buddhist literature
Anguttara Nikaya gives a list of sixteen great
kingdoms called ‘Sixteen Mahajanapadas’. The
Sutta Pitaka, which contains the teachings of
Buddha, is divided into five groups or Nikayas
(Digha, Majhim, Sanyukta, Anguttar and
Khuddak). The Mahavastu is a text of
the Lokottaravada school of Early Buddhism
also mentioned about 16 mahajanapadas.
 Indica: Megasthenes was the Greek
ambassador in Chandragupta Mauryans court.
His account Indica gives details about the
Mauryan administration, particularly the
administration of the capital city of
Pataliputra,the military organization and
contemporary social life.
 Arthashastra: Authored by Chanakya. It is
divided into 3 parts: First deals with the king
and his council and the departments of
government; the second with civil and criminal
law; and the third with diplomacy and war.
Q.2) Answer: A
 Buddhism:
 During the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali
the Buddhist Order split into two sects
namely Sthaviravada or ‘Believers in the
Teachings of the Elders’ and the other known
as Mahasanghikas or ‘Members of the Great
21
Community’. Later it led to development of the
Mahayana form of Buddhism.
 Sub-schools of Mahasanghikas -
Lokottaravadins, Ekavyavaharikas, Kaukkutikas
etc.
 Sub-Schools of Sthaviravada - Sarvastivadin,
Sammatiyas, Vatsiputriyas, Sautrantikas,
Theravadins etc.
Q.3) Answer: C
 Option A is correct: The primary cause for the
rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious
unrest in India in the 6 th century B.C.
Superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the
people.
 Option B is correct: The complex rituals and
sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period
were not acceptable to the common people.
The sacrificial ceremonies were also found to
be too expensive.
 Option C is incorrect: The growth of trade led
to the improvement in the economic
conditions of the Vaisyas. They wanted to
enhance their social status and hence they
started supporting Buddhism and Jainism.
 Option D is correct: People wanted a simple,
short and intelligible way to salvation for all
people. Such religious teaching should also be
in a language known to people. This need was
fulfilled by the teachings of Buddha and
Mahavira.
Q.4) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is Incorrect - First Buddhist Council was
held in Rajgriha (483 BC). It was convened
by Ajathsatru (Haryanka Dynasty) and headed
by Mahakassapa. In this council, Upali recited
the Vinaya Pitaka. Ananda recited Sutta
Pitaka. Council was held soon after the death
of the Buddha.
 Pair 2 is Incorrect - Second Buddhist
Council: Vaishali (383BC) was convened by
Kalashoka (Shisunaga Dynasty) under the
Chairmanship of Sabakami. The Buddhist
Order split into two sects Sthaviravadin or
‘Believers in the Teachings of the Elders’ and
the other known as Mahasanghika or
‘Members of the Great Community’.
 Pair 3 is Correct - Third Buddhist
Council: Pataliputra (250 BC). Chairman of this

council was Mogaliputta Tissa which was
convened under the king Ashoka (Mauryan
Dynasty). Sthaviravadins gained hold over
buddhism. The last section called “Kathavatthu
'' was added to Abhidhamma Pitaka.
 Pair 4 is Correct - Fourth Buddhist
Council: Kashmir (98AD) Chairman of this
council was Vasumitra and was convened
during the reign of Kanishka
(Kushana Dynasty). Buddhism is divided into
Hinayana and Mahayana.
Q.5) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Numerous religious
sects arose in mid-Gangetic plains in sixth-fifth
centuries BC and it is believed they were 62 in
number. Jainism and Buddhism were the most
important.
o Post Vedic society was clearly divided into
four varnas: Brahmans,
Kshatriyas,Vaishyas and Shudras, which
was based on birth and the two higher
varnas(Brahmanas and Kshatriyas)
captured power, prestige and privileges at
the cost of the lower varnas.
o Varna divided society seems to have
generated tensions. The kshatriya
reaction against the domination of the
brahmanas, who claimed various
privileges,was one of the causes of the
origin of new religions. Vardhamana
Mahavira, who founded Jainism and
Gautama Buddha who founded Buddhism,
belonged to the kshatriya clan, and both
disputed the authority of Brahmanas.
 Statement 2 is correct: The spread of the new
agricultural economy in the north-eastern
India, also led to the rise of new religions. The
iron tools began to be used in this area. The
use of iron tools made possible clearance of
forests, agriculture and large settlements. The
iron ploughshare required the use of bullocks.
However the Vedic practise of killing cattle
indiscriminately in sacrifice hampered the
progress of new agriculture.
 Statement 3 is correct: The use of punch
marked coins in the fifth century BC facilitated
trade and commerce, which added to the
importance of Vaishyas. In the Brahmanical
society the vaishyas were ranked third after
22
the brahmanas and kshatriyas. So they sought
a religion that would improve their position.
 Statement 4 is correct: There was also a strong
reaction against various forms of private
property. Old-fashioned people did not like the
use and accumulation of coins of gold, silver.
They disliked the new dwellings and clothes,
new luxurious systems of transport, and
disliked war and violence. The new forms of
property created social inequalities and
caused misery and suffering to the mass of
ordinary people. Therefore the common
people yearned to return to a primitive
lifestyle, both Jainism and Buddhism
propounded simple, puritan, ascetic living.
Q.6) Ans: B
Exp:
About Pavarana:
 Pavarana is a Buddhist holy day celebrated on
the full moon of the eleventh lunar month. It
marks the end of the month of Vassa,
sometimes called "Buddhist Lent."
 This day marks the end of the rainy season in
some Asian countries like Thailand, where
Theravada Buddhism is practised. On this day,
each monk must come before the community
of monks and atone for an offence he may
have committed during the Vassa.
Q.7) Ans: A
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Jainism recognized the
existence of Gods but placed them lower than
the jina.
 Statement 2 is correct: Jainism did not
condemn the varna system as Buddhism did.
According to Mahavira, a person is born in
high or in a lower varna as a consequence of
his sins committed or virtues acquired by him
in his previous birth. In his opinion, by leading
a pure and meritorious life, members of lower
castes can achieve liberation. Jainism
particularly aims at the attainment of freedom
from worldly bonds.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Jainism made the
first serious attempt to mitigate the evils of
the varna order and the ritualistic Vedic
religion. The Early Jainas discarded the Sanskrit
language principally patronised by the
Brahmanas. They adopted Prakrit, the

language of the common people, to preach
their doctrines. Their religious literature was
written in Ardhamagadhi and the texts were
eventually compiled in 6th century AD in
Gujarat at Valabhi.
Q.8) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Vajrayana is a form
of Buddhism probably originated from
Mahayana Buddhism. It is based on a complex
philosophical and ritual system meant to
provide a path towards enlightenment. The
term Vajrayana roughly means “the way of the
diamond”. The word Vajra refers to the
diamond-hard thunderbolt that was used as a
weapon by the Hindu god of thunder and rain,
Indra. Yana refers to the way or the spiritual
vehicle for achieving enlightenment.
o Vajrayana Buddhism developed in India
around the 6th or 7 century CE. By the
seventh century CE, the Buddhist
monasteries had come to be dominated by
ease-loving people and became centres of
corrupt practices which had been
prohibited by Gautama Buddha.
 Statement 2 is correct: Tantric ideas began to
be incorporated into the teachings of Buddhist
universities in Northern India, generally
leading to the development of this new age
tradition. Vajrayana Buddhism is full of
symbolism and rites, mostly focused on the
search of enlightenment. The rites are often
meditation that includes tantric practices,
combining the physical and spiritual worlds.
Q.9) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Jainas believed
that their most important religious teacher
Mahavira had twenty-three predecessors
who were called Tirthankaras. Some Jainas
believe that Rishabhadev was the first
tirthankara. The earliest important teachings
of Jainism are attributed to Parshvanatha, the
twenty-third tirthankara.
o So the basic philosophy of the Jainas was
already in existence in north India before
the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira in the
sixth century BC.
23
 Statement 2 is correct: According to Jainism,
Asceticism and penance are required to free
oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be
achieved only by renouncing the world;
therefore, monastic existence is a very
necessary condition of salvation.
 Statement 3 is correct: According to Mahavira,
a person is born in a higher or lower varna as a
consequence of his sins committed or virtues
acquired by him in the previous birth and the
cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through
these karma’s.
o In his opinion, by leading pure and
meritorious life, members of the lower
castes can achieve liberation. No ritual is
necessary for such liberation.
Q.10) Ans: B
Exp:
About Buddha’s Sangha:
 Those who followed the Buddha came to be
called the Sangha—the community of monks
(bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis). Gautama
Buddha organised the sangha or the religious
order, whose doors were open to all
irrespective of caste, creed and sex. Those
who became monks and nuns underwent an
ordination ceremony of shaving their heads
and donning robes to symbolise world-
renunciation. They entered into the homeless
life of wandering monastics who settled down
in monasteries only during the months of the
rainy season.
 The Monks were required to observe the rules
and regulations of the Sangha faithfully. Once
they were enrolled as members of the
BUddhist church, they had to take vow of
continence, poverty and faith.
 The doors of Sangha were not opened to
slaves, soldiers, and debtors. Women were
admitted to the Sangha and thus brought on
par with men.

Q.11) Ans: A
Exp:
Great events of Buddha life:
 Avakranti: Buddha’s conception or descent,
known as Avakranti, is symbolised by a white
elephant. This symbol is found in a variety of
Aśoka’s remains, along with other animals:
bull, horse and lion. A narrative at Bharhut
showing Queen Mayadavi’s(mother of
Siddhartha Gautam) dream, a descending
elephantis shown. The queen is reclining on
bed whereas an elephant is shown on the top
heading towards the womb of Queen
Mahadevi.
 Jati (Birth): Buddha’s Jati, or birth, is usually
represented by a lotus. This element
symbolises Buddha’s purity, his diving birth,
or his spiritual ascent. It is sometimes used to
represent a “tree of life and fortune”. The
Lotus flower is occasionally laden with fruits
and jewels, symbols of countless blessings.
 Mahabhinishkramana(Great Renunciation):
Buddha left his home at the age of 29 years
to live a life of an ascetic which is known as
Mahabhinishkramana (the great
departure).He leaved his palace with his
charioteer named Channa and his horse called
Kanthaka. This event is symbolised by the
Horse.
 Nirvana/ Sambodhi (enlightenment):
Buddha’s Sambodhi, or enlightenment, is
represented by the Bodhi tree. This Pipal tree
(Indian fig) is used to represent his
illumination because it is under one of them
that he attained Nirvana, in the locality now
known as Bodhgaya. The Asvatha tree
symbolises an abode of folk deities or spirits.
 Dharmachakra Parivarthana (first Sermon):
The Dharmachakrapravartana, or “Turning of
the wheel of law”, his first sermon, is
represented by the Dharma Wheel (“Wheel of
Law”). He delivered his first sermon known as
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (turning of the
Wheel of Law) at Sarnath in which he dealt
with the Four Noble Truths and the Noble
Eightfold Path, the very base of Buddhist
teaching.
 Mahaparinirvana (Death): Buddha’s
Mahaparinibbāna or passing away, is usually
symbolised by a stūpa, where his remains
were kept. This construction, a sign of the
24
enlightened mind, is made of four sections:
the square base, the dome, the cone, and the
canopy. They represent the four elements:
earth, water, fire and air, completed by space,
signification given to the total volume of the
stupa.
Q.12) Answer: C
 The third Buddhist Council was held in 240
BC at Pataliputra. Moggaliputta Tissa was its
chairman and Asoka was its royal patron. Its
objective was to reconcile the different schools
of Buddhism and to purify the Buddhist
movement, particularly from opportunistic
factions which had been attracted by the royal
patronage. The final version of Tripitakas was
completed in this council.
 Menander was a Indo-Greek ruler, who ruled
over the North-western part of India
between 165 BCE to 145 BCE. He was
converted to Buddhism by Nagasena.
Menander asked Nagasena many questions
relating to Buddhism. These questions and
Nagasena’s answers are recorded in the form
of a book known as Milinda Panho or the
question of Milinda.
 The Shaka Era (Shakar Samvat) was started by
Kushan Ruler Kanishka in 78AD, after
defeating a Shaka king. In 1957, the Shaka
Samvat was adopted as the national calendar
of India.
 Vijayalaya Chola was the founder of the
medieval chola empire in the 8th century by
defeating Pallavas. He was a feudatory of
Pallavas. He captured Tanjore in 850. By the
end of the 9th century the Cholas had defeated
both the Pallavas of Kanchi and weakened the
Pandyas, bringing the southern Tamil
(Tondamandala) country under their control.
Q.13) Ans: B
Exp:
 The Tipitaka (in Pali) and Tripitaka (in
Sanskrit) meaning ‘The Three
Baskets/Collections’ is one of the earliest
compilations of Buddhist teachings written
(originally) on long, narrow leaves. All

branches of Buddhism have the Tripitaka as
part of their core scriptures, which comprises
three books — the Sutta (conventional
teaching), the Vinaya (disciplinary code), and
the Abhidhamma (moral psychology).
 Statement 1 is correct : The Sutta Pitaka
(Sutra/Basket of Discourses): This contains the
Buddha’s discourses on various doctrinal
issues in dialogue form. These texts are also
known as ‘Buddhavacana’ or ‘the word of the
Buddha’, as it refers to texts that are supposed
to contain what the Buddha himself said.
 Statement 2 is incorrect : The Abhidhamma
Pitaka (Basket of Higher Teachings): This
contains a thorough study and systemisation of
the teachings of the Sutta Pitaka through
summaries, questions and answers, lists, etc.
 Statement 3 is incorrect : The Vinaya Pitaka
(Discipline Basket): This contains rules for
monks and nuns of the monastic order
(Sangha). It includes the Patimokka – a list of
transgressions against monastic discipline and
atonements for these. Apart from monastic
rules, the Vinaya texts also include doctrinal
expositions, ritual texts,biographical stories,
and some elements of the ‘Jatakas’ or ‘birth
stories’.
Q.14) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The trade during
the vedic times was largely barter in
nature and it was during the time of Buddha
that a large number of silver and some
copper coins came into circulation. These
coins were used for the trade and were punch
marked with the images of hills, bulls, trees,
etc.
25
 Statement 2 is correct: A large number
of nucleated settlements was observed during
the time of the Buddha in the rural areas.
The Pali literature talks of the nucleated
settlements in which people along with their
land and property lived away from the
main settlements in the Gangetic plains. The
text also talks of the three types of villages
namely, the typical kind, the craft villages, and
the border villages.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: During this time, the
tax collection was done mainly by the royal
agents directly and hence there were no
intermediaries on a large scale. One-sixth of
the total produce was collected as taxes from
the peasants directly.
 Statement 4 is correct: In the eastern Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar, rice served as the main
cereal and was grown on a large scale. A
number of paddy fields have been described in
the Pali and Sanskrit texts. Wet paddy
production or paddy
transplantation emerged on a large scale
during this time.
Q.15) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The people during
this time were divided into four
varnas- Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and
Shudras. The Dharmasutra provides a clear
mention of the duties and the civil and criminal
laws relating to each varna. The crime
against Brahmin and Kshatriyas was treated
with heavy punishment while the punishment
for the upper varnas was lighter.
The Shudras were accorded the lowest status
with no legal or religious rights. They were
meant to serve the upper varnas. They were
denied the Upanayana or the holding of the
sacred thread.
 Statement 2 is correct: The laws and rules as
compiled in the Dharmasutra varied with
each Varna. Shudra were considered to have
emerged from the feet of the creator and
hence were accorded the lowest position with
no legal or religious rights.

Q.16) Answer: C
 Option A is correct: Several interpretations
of Chaitya have been found. In some, it is
considered as a site for those surrounded by
nature with a shrine meant for the purpose of
worship.
 Option B is correct: The word Chaitya has
been derived from the word Chita which
means the funeral pyre and hence is also
regarded as the extension of the funeral
mound.
 Option C is incorrect/ least appropriate: A
place meant for debates and discussion has not
been regarded as a chaitya.
 Option D is correct: In Buddhist
literature, Chaitya also refers to the sacred
places associated with the life of Gautam
Buddha, i.e., Lumbini, where he was
born, Bodh Gaya, where he received
Enlightenment, Sarnath, where he delivered
his first Sermon, and Kushinagar where he
attained Mahaparinirvana.
Q.17) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: After
the Mahaparinirvana of Gautam Buddha,
Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and
Hinayana at the fourth Buddhist Council in
Kashmir.
o The Hinayana is an orthodox form of
Buddhism and believes in the original
preaching of Buddha. It does not believe in
idol worship. Mahayana Buddhism on the
other hand, deals with idol worship and
believes in the concept of
Bodhisattvas (one that imbibes the
Buddhist nature).
26
 Statement 2 is correct: Theravadins is
a subsect under Hinayana Buddhism. It deals
with the cessation of suffering and attainment
of Nirvana. It does not believe in the existence
of a Savior like the Mahayana Buddhism which
believes in Bodhisattvas that would liberate all
human beings.
Vaishnavism believes in the presence of a
Savior. The incarnations of Lord Vishnu were
meant to save the world whenever it was in
danger. The last avatar, Kalki, to end the
demon Kali, is yet to come as per the
mythologies.
Q.18) Answer: B
 Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha are
considered as the three jewels or triratnas of
Buddhism.
 Buddha refers to as the Enlightened
being, Dhamma comprises his teachings and
doctrines, while Sangha denotes the monastic
order.
Q.19) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: Sthaviravada also
referred to as the Theravada is a subsect
under Hinayana Buddhism. It focuses on the
teachings of Buddha as its central
theme. Theravada refers to the school of older
monks. Their ultimate aim is to end suffering
and attain Nirvana. Practices
like Samatha and Vipassana form an
important part of Theravada tradition. Like the
Hinayana tradition, they used Pali as their
main language.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Lotus Sutra is an
important text under the Mahayana

Buddhism. It deals with six perfections
or paramitas to be followed by an
individual: Dana, Sila, Ksanti, Virya,
Dhyana, and Prajana. Mahavamsa is another
important text related to Mahayana
Buddhism. It deals with the history of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Q.20) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: The Third Buddhist
Council was held at Pataliputra under the
patronage of King Ashoka and the
chairmanship of Moggaliputta Tissa. It was in
this Buddhist Council that the compilation
of Abhidhamma Pitaka took place.
 Statement 2 is correct: The fourth Buddhist
council was held in Kashmir under the
patronage of King Kanishka and the
chairmanship of Vasumitra. The division of
Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana took
place in this Buddhist council.
o The first Buddhist council was held
at Rajgir under the patronage of King
Ajatshatru and the chairmanship
of Mahakasyapa. Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya
Pitaka came up during this council.
The second Buddhist Council was held
at Vaishali under the patronage of King
Kalasoka under the chairmanship
of Sabakami.
Q.21) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Padmapani is one of
the protective deities around Buddha in the
Ajanta Caves, who is regarded as
the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He is also
known as Avalokitesvara and is holding a
Lotus flower in his hand. Vajrapani,
also depicted in the Ajanta caves, is regarded
as the Bodhisattva of Power.
 Statement 2 is correct: Bodhisattva could be
both male and female. Padampani is regarded
as a female by some.
 Statement 3 is correct: Vajrayana Buddhism
has been influenced by Hinduism. It is also
based on the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy
and believes in Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra for
the attainment of Nirvana.
27
 Statement 4 is incorrect: Gautam Buddha was
a contemporary of Bimbisara and Ajatshatru.
He was not a contemporary of Ashoka.
Extra Edge By PW Only IAS
● In Mahayana, Buddhism Bodhisattva is a
person who can reach nirvana but delays
doing so through compassion for suffering
beings.
● It is similar to the concept of Incarnations in
Hindu Mythology. Bodhisattvas are common
figures in Buddhist literature and art.
Q.22) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: Buddhism believes that
the world is transient and soulless and is
impermanent. The world is full of sorrows and
sufferings caused due to desire. It prescribes
the path of moderation to
attain nirvana unlike the Jain philosophy which
believes in severe penance.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: According to
Buddhism, social relations are the creation of
human beings and not divine in origin and
hence it is the duty of the human beings to be
humane and kind to other human beings.
Buddha emphasized that the people must
work out their own salvation by way of right
actions and burn their ego and desire.
Q.23) Answer: A
 Option A is correct: A number of sculptures are
depicted at Sanchi which are directly or
indirectly related to Buddhism. The sculpture
of a woman at the gateway is considered as a
sacred symbol and symbolizes the enrichment
of Buddhism with the cultural beliefs and the
traditions of the non-buddhist people who
joined Buddhism. Shalabhanjika is found in
different religious sculptures in India, not
necessarily Buddhism. It is a symbol of
a Yakshi (a benign deity associated with
fertility), holding a branch of a tree and is
depicted in a sensuous form.
Q.24) Answer: B
 Option B is correct: Kutagarashala was

referred to a place where travelling
mendicants/beggars halted. It was the place
where debates and discussions regarding the
truth of life and its various philosophies were
taken up. It is associated with Buddhism and is
regarded as the Vihara where the Buddha
mostly halted while on his way to Vaishali. It is
mentioned in the Pali Buddhist texts as a
monastery located in the middle country of
ancient India. It was a part of Vaishali.
Q.25) Answer: B
 The three principles of Jainism, also known as
Triratnas (three gems), are: 1. Right faith
2. Right knowledge 3. Right conduct.
 Right conduct refers to the observance of
the five great vows:
1. Not to injure life (Ahimsa)
2. Not to lie (Satya)
3. Not to steal (Asteya)
4. Not to acquire property (Aparigraha)
5. Observe Chastity (Brahmacharya).
Eightfold Path (Ashtang Marg) given in
Buddhism
(1) Right Views (2) Right Resolve
(3) Right Speech (4) Right Conduct
(5) Right Livelihood (6) Right Effort
(7) Right Recollection (8) Right Meditation.
Q.26) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The second great
Jain Council was held at Valabhi during Gupta
period and the Jain Canon of the Swetambras
was written. The first Jain Council was
convened at Pataliputra by Sthulabahu, the
leader of the Digambaras, in the beginning of
the 3 rd century B.C.
 Statement 2 is correct: The final compilation
of Jain literature called Twelve Angas
(limbs) was completed in the second Jain
council.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Women were
admitted into the monastic order. However, as
a woman one cannot attain salvation. But by
accumulating merit by good deeds, a woman
could be reborn as a man and then strive to
attain salvation.
28
Q.27) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Vardhana Mahavira
is not regarded as the founder of Jainism. He
was 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism.
The first tirthankara Rishabhadev was born in
Ayodhya and is regarded as the one who laid
the foundation of the ordered and organised
society.
 Statement 2 is correct: Anekantavada or the
multiple dimensions of a truth is a core
doctrine of Jainism.
According to this, a particular reality has
multiple dimensions and there is no absolute
definition that can describe the ultimate truth.
 Statement 3 is correct: The philosophy of
Jainism deals with five constraints of life which
includes: Ahimsa (nonviolence); Satya (truthf
ulness); Asteya (not to steal); Aparigraha (not
to acquire property);
and Brahmacharya (celibacy). Brahmacharya
was propounded by Mahavira. It
was Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara who
propounded the first four constraints.
Q.28) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Jainism was divided
under two main
sects: Digambaras and Svetambaras.
Digambara school was propounded
by Bhadrabahu who moved to Karnataka with
his discipline predicting a long famine in
Magadha. Under the Digambara school of
Jainism, the monks practice complete nudity
unlike Svetambara who wear white clothes.
Women monks are allowed in the Digambara
sect and wear plain unstitched white sarees.
Women are not allowed to be Tirthankaras in
the case of Digambara.

 Statement 2 is incorrect:
 Svetambaras were those who stayed back in
the North. Sthulabhadra
was the exponent of this school. They follow
the teachings of Pashvanatha who gave the
first constraints four:
Ahimsa (nonviolence); Satya (truthfulness); As
teya (not to steal); Aparigraha (not to acquire
property); while they do not follow
Brahmacharya. They wear simple white clothes
and believe that even women could be a
Tirthankara. They believe that the 19th
Tirthankara, Mallinatha, was a female.
Q.29) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct: Ajivika sect was
founded by Makkhali Gosala, who was the
follower of Mahavira and later left him and
founded his own creed. Ajivikas deals
with Niyati or fate and believes that destiny is
responsible for controlling every matter in the
universe.
 Statement 2 is correct: The concept
of Sunyata was given by Nagarjuna under
the Mahayana Buddhism. According to this, all
the phenomena and matter in existence are
devoid of nature, essence, and substance.
 Statement 3 is correct: Jainism got divided into
sects
namely: Digambara and Svetambara. The
Digambara sect was propounded
by Bhadrabahu while the Svetambara was
propounded by Sthulabhadra.
Q.30) Answer: C
 Statement C is correct: Jainism believed that
all objects whether living or non-living possess
souls and must not be harmed. It believes
in starvation, renunciation of the world, and
strict asceticism. Hence, it rejects the practice
of agriculture as it involves killing of insects and
other similar beings. Jainism hence believes
in Starvation, Vedic authority, Existence of
soul, soul is the fundamental unit of Jain
philosophy. Buddhism on the other hand
focuses on the middle path and Jainism focuses
on the extremities. Jainism does not believe in
29
absolutism and vedic authority. According to
Jains, there are many dimensions of the
ultimate truth or reality and hence it focuses
on Anekantavada.
Q.31) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Buddhism does not
acknowledge a supreme God or deity.
Followers instead focus on achieving
enlightenment. The path to enlightenment is
attained by
utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom.
Jainism recognised the existence of god but
not as a creator and placed them lower than
Jina (Mahavira)
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Division of
Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana
happened in the fourth Buddhist Council
(72AD) in reign of Kanishka, whereas
the division of Jainism into Digambara and
Shvetambara happened 200 years after the
death of Mahavira (467 BCE at Pavapuri near
Patna) when there was a famine in Magadh.
Many Jainas migrated to the South under the
leadership of Bhadrabahu, though the rest of
them stayed back in Magadha under the
leadership of Stahlbau. When the southerners
returned, differences emerged between both
factions. In order to sort out these differences
and to compile the principal teachings of
Jainism, a council was convened in
Pataliputra, but the southerners boycotted it
and refused to accept its decisions. From now
onwards, the southerners began to be called
digambaras and the Magadhans
svetambaras.
 Statement 3 is correct: Jainism did not
condemn Varna, as Buddhism did, but
attempted to mitigate the evils of the varna
order and the ritualistic Vedic religion.
According to Mahavira a person is born in a
high or lower class as a consequence of the
sins or virtues acquired by him in the previous
birth. Mahavira looks for human values even
in a chandala. In his opinion, by leading a pure
and meritorious life, members of the lower
castes can achieve liberation.

Q.32) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct: Both Buddha (563BC-
483BC) and Mahavira (540BC-468BC) were
contemporary. Other contemporaries of
Buddha
include Bimbisar, Jivaka, Ajatshatru, Vasakar
a, Amrapali, Prasanjit, Vatsaraja Udayan, Puk
kusati, Chandrapradyot, Vasavadutta.
 Statement 2 is correct: In Jainism,
‘Nirvana’ refers to the end of suffering and
freedom from the cycle of life and
birth. Enlightenment in Jainism is known as
‘Kaivalya’. Whereas
in Buddhism ‘Nirvana’ means attainment of
‘enlightenment’ or ‘salvation’. Death is called
‘Parinirvana’.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Mathura school of
arts developed under the patronage of
Kushana rulers and was influenced
by Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. The
Mathura School showed a striking use of
symbolism in the images. The Hindu
Gods were represented using their avayudhas.
For example, Shiva is shown through linga and
mukhalinga. Buddha is shown to be
surrounded by two
Bodhisattavas – Padmapani holding a lotus
and Vajrapani holding a thunderbolt.
Q.33) Answer: C
 Option 1 is correct:
o The Central Asian conquerors introduced
new styles in administration. For instance,
the Indo- Greeks introduced the practice of
military governorship wherein they
appointed military governors called
strategos while the Kushanas introduced
the ‘Satrap’ system of government, under
which the empire was divided into
numerous satrapis and each satrapi was
placed under the rule of a satrap.
 Option 2 is correct:
o The origin of Mahayana Buddhism owes a
lot to the Central Asian influence. The
Central Asian Rulers did not appreciate
the philosophical doctrines of Buddhism
and wanted something novel that could
30
satisfy their religious cravings. The monks
and nuns could not afford to lose the cash
donations from the growing body of
Central Asian traders and artisans and thus
now started accepting gold and silver,
took to non-vegetarian food and wore
elaborate robes. Kanishka was the biggest
proponent of Mahayana Buddhism.
 Option 3 is incorrect:
o Even though Indian Astronomy and
Astrology profited from contact with the
Greeks, however, the Indians did not owe
anything striking to the Greeks in
medicine, Botany and Chemistry. These
three subjects were dealt with
by Charakha and Susruta.
 Option 4 is correct: The Central Asian rulers
also patronised and helped in the growth of
Sanskritliterature. The earliest specimen
of kavya style and that too in chaste Sanskrit is
found in the Junagadh Inscription
of Rudradaman I. From now
onwards, inscriptions began to be composed
in chaste Sanskrit although the use of Prakrit
continued for a couple of centuries.
Q.34) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Incorrect: Two of the famous
sculptures of the Mauryan period are: Yaksha
and Yakshi. The earliest reference of Yakshi
can be found in Silappadikaram, a Tamil text.
● Statement 2 is Correct: Yaksha worship was
very popular before and after the advent of
Buddhism and it was assimilated in Buddhism
and Jainism. Hence, all of the Jain
Tirthankars were associated with a
Yakshi. For instance, Yaksha Dharenendra and
the Yakshi Padmavati are often shown near
the Jain Tirthankar, Parshvanath.
● Statement 3 is Incorrect: Yaksha and Yakshi
were worshipped by ALL three religions:
Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Q.35) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Buddha
advocated avoiding the two
extremes of indulgence in worldly
pleasure and the practice of strict abstinence
and asceticism. He ascribed instead of
 31

the 'Madhyam Marg' or the middle Ardha Magadhi Prakrit script accompanied by
path which was to be followed. a Sanskrit.
 According to him, everyone was
responsible for their own happiness in life, Q.37) Answer: A
stressing upon the individualistic component  Statement 1 is correct: The famous Chinese
of Buddhism. pilgrim, Fahien visited India during the reign
 Statement 2 is correct: Buddhism believes in of Chandragupta II. Out of his nine years stay in
the transmigration of souls. The main India, he spent six years in the Gupta empire.
teachings of Buddhism are encapsulated in the He came to India by the land route through
basic concept of four noble truths or Khotan, Kashgar, Gandhara and Punjab.
ariyasachchani and eightfold path or He visited Peshawar, Mathura, Kanauj,
ashtangika marg. Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Kusinagara, Pataliputra,
 The essence of Buddhism is the attainment of Kasi and Bodh Gaya among other places. He
enlightenment. It points to a way of life that returned by the sea route, visiting Ceylon and
avoids self- indulgence and self-denial. There Java.
is no supreme god or deity in Buddhism.  Statement 2 is incorrect: The main purpose of
 Statement 3 is correct: The ultimate goal of his visit was to see the land of the Buddha and
Buddha’s teaching was the attainment of to collect Buddhist manuscripts from India. He
nirvana which was not a place but experience stayed in Pataliputra for three years studying
and could be attained in this life. Sanskrit and copying Buddhist texts. Fahien
provides valuable information on the
religious, social and economic condition of the
Q.36) Answer: A Gupta empire.
Some of the Major Buddhist texts are:
 Dipavamsa: Dipavaṃsa, (Pāli: “History of the
Island”), oldest extant historical record of Sri
Lanka, compiled in the 4th century. It is an
important early work in Buddhist and Pali
literature It details the tooth relic and Bodhi
Tree’s arrival in Sri Lanka. It also deals with the
arrival of Buddha’s teaching and preachers in
Sri Lanka. It mentions that Buddha visited
Kelaniya and Deegavapi in Sri Lanka.
 Therigatha: it is an anthology of poems in the  Statement 3 is incorrect: According to him,
Pali language by and about the first Buddhist Buddhism was in a flourishing condition in
women. It was composed more than two northwestern India but in the Gangetic
millennia ago. valley it was in a state of neglect. He refers to
 Ashokavadana: It is a Buddhist text related to the Gangetic valley as the land of
the legend of the Maurya Emperor Ashoka. It Brahmanism‟. Fahien mentions.
was written in the 2nd century CE. The
Ashokavadana is an account of the birth and
reign of King Ashoka. Students Note:
 Vessantara Jataka: Vessantara was a very
generous king who, in Buddhist mythology, is
considered to be a previous incarnation of the
Buddha Gotama.
Uttaradhyayana Sutta is a Jain text. It is one of
the four ‘Mulasutras’ of the canons of
Shvetambar Jain. The main text is written in

Mauryan Empire, Post Mauryan Age, Megaliths & Sangam Age
Q.1) Answer: C
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the
Mauryan Empire. For the first time, the political
unity was achieved in India under the Mauryans.
Leaving Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and some parts of
north-eastern India, the Mauryas ruled over the
whole of the sub-continent
The history writing has also become clear from this
period due to accuracy in chronology and sources.
 The Mauryan Empire was divided into four
provinces with their capitals at Taxila, Ujjain,
Suvarnagiri and Kalinga.
 The provincial governors were mostly
appointed from the members of the royal
family. They were responsible for the
maintenance of law and order and collection of
taxes for the empire.
Q.2) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Incorrect - Chandragupta
Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan
Empire. He captured Pataliputra from
Dhanananda, last ruler of the Nanda dynasty.
He was assisted by
Kautilya/Chanakya/Vishnugupta.
 Statement 2 is Correct - Bindusara supported
the Ajivikas sect. They are an ascetic sect that
emerged in India about the same time as
Buddhism and Jainism. Its most important
leader was Makkhali Goshala. The main
philosophy of Ajivikas is that absolutely
everything is predetermined by fate, or niyati,
and therefore, human action has no
consequences.
 Statement 3 is Correct - Bindusara had cordial
relations with the Syrian king Antiochus I. He
also received Deimachus as ambassador from
him.
32
 Statement 4 is Incorrect - Chandragupta
Maurya defeated Selukas Niketar. Selukas
Nikator ceded some trans-Indus territories to
the Mauryan Empire and Megasthenes was
sent to the Mauryan court as Greek
ambassador.
Q.3) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect- Ashoka’s policy
of Dhamma was a broad concept. It was a way
of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles
to be adopted by the people. Some ideas of
Ashoka’s Dhamma are similar to the teachings
of buddhism like non-violence etc but both of
them are quite different from each other. The
concept of non-violence and other similar
ideas of Asoka’s Dhamma are identical with the
teachings of Buddha. But he did not equate
Dhamma with Buddhist teachings. Buddhism
remained his personal belief. His Dhamma
signifies a general code of conduct.
 Statement 2 is Correct- Among many
principles of Dhamma, Tolerance among all
religious sects is one of the important
principles of Dhamma.
 Statement 3 is Correct- He appointed officials
known as Dhamma Mahamatta who went
from place to place teaching people about his
dhamma. Ashoka also got his messages
inscribed on rocks and pillars, instructing his
officials to read his message to those who
could not read it themselves.Ashoka also sent
messengers to spread ideas about dhamma to
other lands, such as Syria, Egypt, Greece and
Sri Lanka.

Q.4) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mauryan Empire
was divided into four provinces with their
capitals at Taxila, Ujjain, Suvarnagiri and
Kalinga. The provincial governors were mostly
appointed from the members of the royal
family. They were responsible for the
maintenance of law and order and collection of
taxes for the empire.
 Statement 2 is correct: According to the
account of a Roman Writer Pliny,
Chandragupta Maurya maintained 600,000
foot soldiers and 30,000 cavalry. In order to
meet the expenses of such a huge army, the
state controlled almost all the economic
activities in the realm. The state brought new
virgin land under cultivation which yielded
handsome income to the state in the form of
revenue collected from the newly settled
peasants.
 Apart from this, the state enjoyed a complete
monopoly in mining, sale of liquor,
manufacture of arms etc. This naturally
brought money to the royal exchequer.
Q.5) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Chandragupta II was a
great conqueror and an able administrator as
well. His other names (as mentioned in coins)
include Vikrama, Devagupta, Devaraja,
Simhavikrama, Vikramaditya and Sakari. His
court had nine jewels or navaratnas, that is,
nine eminent people in various fields of art,
literature and science.
 This included the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa,
the Sanskrit scholar Harisena, the
lexicographer Amarasimha, and the physician
Dhanvantari. Fahien, the Buddhist scholar
from China, visited India during his reign. He
records the prosperity of the Gupta Empire.
 Statement 2 is correct: Chandragupta II was
the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins. His
rule thus formed the peak period of Gupta’s
territorial expansion. The kingdom’s prosperity
grew out of its trade links with the Roman
Empire. After establishing himself in eastern
and western India, Chandragupta II defeated
northern rulers like the Huns, Kambojas and
Kiratas.
33
Q.6) Ans: D
Exp:
 Agriculture flourished in the Gupta period due
to the establishment of irrigation works. Apart
from the state and individual cultivators,
Brahmins, Buddhists, and Jain sanghas
brought waste lands under cultivation when
they were donated to them as religious
endowments.
 The Paharpur copper plate inscription
indicates that the king was the sole proprietor
of the land. Even when he made land grants,
he reserved his prerogatives over it. As stated
in Paharpur plates, an officer called ustapala
maintained records of all the land transactions
in the district and the village accountant
preserved records of land in the village. During
the Gupta period, the land was classified as
detailed below.
o Kshetra: Cultivable land
o Khila: Wasteland
o Aprahata: Jungle or wasteland
o Vasti: Habitable land
o Gapata Saraha: Pastoral land
 The crops cultivated during the Gupta period
were rice, wheat, barley, peas, lentils, pulses,
sugarcane, and oilseeds. From Kalidasa, we
came to know that the south was famous for
pepper and cardamom.
Q.7) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Samudragupta was
the greatest of the rulers of the Gupta dynasty.
The Allahabad Pillar inscription provides a
detailed account of his reign. He was the
opposite of Ashoka. Unlike Ashoka, he
delighted in violence and conquest.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Samudragupta was a
patron of many poets and scholars, one of
whom was Harisena. Thus he must be credited
with a share in the promotion of Sanskrit
literature and learning, characteristic of his
dynasty. Kalidasa is a court poet of
Chandragupta II.
 Statement 3 is correct: Samudragupta
marched against the South Indian monarchs.
The Allahabad Pillar inscription mentions that
Samudragupta defeated twelve rulers in his
South Indian Expedition (Dakshinapatha

expedition). He did not destroy and annex
those kingdoms. Instead, he defeated the
rulers but gave them back their kingdoms. He
only insisted on them to acknowledge his
suzerainty.
Q.8) Ans: D
Exp:
 Chandragupta-II (A.D. 380-412) was known for
his deep interest in art and culture and nine
gems or Navratna adorned his court. He
enjoyed the titles ‘Vikramaditya (the sun of
prowess) and ‘Sakari’. His reign is often
remembered not for wars but for his
patronage of Art and Literature. The Court of
Chandragupta was adorned by celebrated
scholars collectively known as ‘Navaratnas’.
Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit poet and
playWright, flourished in his court.
 The two famous practitioners of Ayurveda in
ancient India were Charaka (1st-2nd centuries
C.E.) and Sushruta (c. 4th century C.E.) Charak
Samhita, written by Charak is a remarkable
book on medicine. In his treatise, Susruta
Samhita, Sushruta speaks about elaborate
surgical procedures.
Q.9) Ans: A
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect : In Deccan and in
central India, the Satavahanas succeeded the
Mauryas though after a gap of almost 100
years. Simuka was the founder of the
Satavahana Dynasty and was immediately
active after Ashoka’s death. He is mentioned as
the first king in a list of royals in a Satavahana
inscription at Nanaghat.In the Puranas, the
name of the first Andhra (Satavahana) king is
variously spelt as Shivmukha, Sishuka,
Sindhuka, Chhismaka, Shipraka, Srimukha, etc
. He built Jain and Buddhist temples
 Statement 2 is correct : The Satavahanas
retained some of the administrative units of
Ashokan times. The kingdom was divided into
subdivisions called aharas or rashtras,
meaning districts. There were also officers
called amatyas/mahamatras who were
perhaps ministers or advisors of the king. But,
unlike Mauryan times, certain military and
34
feudal traits are found in the administration of
the Satavahanas.
 Statement 3 is correct : The lowest level of
administration was a grama (village), which
was under the charge of a gaulmika (village
headman), who was also the head of a military
regiment consisting of nine chariots, nine
elephants, 25 horses and 45 foot soldiers.
 Statement 4 is not correct : Unlike the gold
coins of the Kushanas, Satavahanas mostly
issued lead coins (which they probably
imported from the Romans) apart from copper
and bronze coins. The Deccan developed a
very advanced rural economy. The people
knew about the art of paddy transplantation
and especially the area on the confluence of
the rivers Krishna and Godavari formed a great
rice bowl.
Q.10) Ans: B
Exp:
 Pulakeshin II (609 -642 A.D.) was one of the
greatest ruler of Chalukya dynasty who
converted the Chalukyan kingdom into an
empire comprising most part of the Deccan
plateau and extending its northern boundary
till river Narmada. It assumed the titles of
"Satyashraya Sri Prithviballabh Maharaj",
"Dakshinapatheswara", "Parambhattaraka"
and "Maharajadhiraja". Important information
about it is obtained from the Aihole rock
Inscription composed by Rajkavi
Ravikirti.Pulakeshin II was the first ruler to
establish an empire in the south which covered
the whole of south India. The title Shri-prithvi-
vallabha means "the husband of the goddess of
fortune and the Earth”, Dakshinapatheshwara

means The Lord of the South and
Maharajadhiraja means 'great king of kings'.
Q.11) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is incorrect: The Iranian and
Macedonian invasions left an impact on the
culture and social history to the regions of the
North-west. The Achaemanian rulers of Iran
under Darius and Xerxes, conquered areas to
the west of Sindh including Punjab and
Sindh. The Kharosthi script was introduced by
the Iranian invasion. It is written from right to
left and is present in a number
of Ashokan inscriptions in the north-west.
 Pair 2 is correct: The monuments of Ashoka at
that time were influenced by the Iranian
contacts. The presence of preamble on the
Ashokan edicts along with the bell shaped
Ashokan capital is influenced by the Iranian
contact.
 Pair 3 is correct: There was an extensive use of
elephants in the army as witnessed in the army
of the Nandas. The Nandas were known to
have possessed as many as 6000 elephants
which made it easy for the crushing of cities
and forts.
 Pair 4 is correct: The horse chariots were
introduced by the vedic people. However, its
significance began to decline in the later times
with the introduction of cavalry, infantry, and
elephants. However, their use was not
completely stopped.
Q.12) Answer: B
Exp:
 Option B is correct: It was during Vedic period
that Sulvasutras were produced and dealt
with measurement systems, especially the
measurement of fields and
houses. Sulvasutras deals with the field of
geometry and mathematics. They are classified
into four with the oldest one Baudhayan
sulvasutra dealing with the Pythagoras
theorem or the calculation of the length of the
sides of a right angled triangle. They are the
reference of the Mathematical knowledge
from the vedic people and formed part of the
appendices of the Vedas.
35
Q.13) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: The highest
functionaries such as the minister (Mantrin),
high priest (purohita) etc. were paid as much
as 48000 panas (silver coins currency). In
sharp contrast to them, the lowest officers
were given 60 Panas in consolidated pay with
some officials getting as low as 20 panas.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Chandragupta
Maurya maintained a body of spies who kept
watch on events going on throughout the
country and regularly reported to the
King. Strabo says that these spies were
appointed from the most faithful persons.
There is also mention
of Pativedakas and Pulisani who functioned
as special reporters of the king and kept him
informed of public opinion.
Q.14) Answer: B
 A very important aspect of the Mauryan
Economy was the Agricultural developments
and modernization. The importance of
irrigation was fully realised and peasants had
to pay more tax on irrigated land known
as udaka-bhaga (water rate, and generally
levied at one-fifth to one-third of the produce)
Share-cropping existed on both state-owned
and privately owned land. Kautilya refers to
different kinds of share-croppers working on
the state-owned land such as
the Ardhasitikas (kept half of the produce) and
the Svaviryopajivins (kept one-fourth or one-
fifth of the produce). It should be noted that
there is no reference in any text of taking away
the land of the farmers in case of non-payment
of taxes. Kautilya also mentions
certain emergency taxes (Pranaya) or

additional levies that the state could impose
if the treasury got depleted.
Q.15) Answer: B
 Option A is correct:
o Menander /Milinda/Minedra was one of
the most celebrated Indo-Greek rulers
who not only stabilised Indo-Greek power,
but also extended his empire’s frontiers in
India.
o He was converted to Buddhism by
Nagasena and has been identified with the
King Milinda mentioned in the famous
Buddhist text Milindapanha (Question of
Milinda), which contains philosophical
questions that Milinda asked Nagasena
(the Buddhist author of the text). The text
claims that impressed by the answers,
the king accepted Buddhism as his religion.
 Option B is incorrect:
o The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers in
India to issue coins (gold, silver, copper,
and nickel) which can be definitely
attributed to any dynasty and were also
the first to issue gold coins in India (which
increased in number under the Kushanas).
o Interestingly, the coins of the Shakas,
Parthians and the Kshatrapas followed
the basic features of Indo-Greek coinage,
including the bilingual and bi-script
legends.
o Indo- Greek coins were miniatures of
aesthetic excellence, of precise economic
value and also provided useful information
on emerging religious sects and cults
(specially Shaiva and Bhagvata sects) that
were prominent in that area.
 Option C and D are correct:
o They introduced new features of
Hellenistic art and literature such as
Gandhara art in the north-west frontier of
India, which was not purely Greek, but
rather it was the outcome of
the intermingling and influence of both
Indian,central Asian and Hellenistic
contacts.
o A striking instance of this mingling is the
Besnagar Pillar inscription of Heliodorus -
36
a Greek Ambassador who adopted
Vaishnavism. New terms which had the
influence of Greek terminology began to
be used in the subcontinent. For instance,
the term ‘horshastra’ used for astrology in
Sanskrit is derived from Greek word
‘horoscope’.
Q.16) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Correct - Tolkappiyam is a work
on Tamil grammar and it also provides
information about the society, political and
economic condition of the sangam age. It is a
treatise on grammar and poetics.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - Tolkappiyam is the
only book surviving from the second sangam.
Works from the first sangam didnt survive.it is
believed that it was written by a single author
named Tholkappiyar, a disciple of Vedic sage
Agastya.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect - Silappadikaram
written by Ilango Adigal is about love affair of
Kovalan, Kanaggi and Madhavi. It also
provides valuable information on the Sangam
polity and society. The Silappathikaram gives a
detailed picture about the Tamil culture, its
varied religions, its town plans and city types,
the commingling of Greek, Arab, and Tamil
peoples, and the arts of dance and music.
o Manimekhalai was Written by Sittalai
Sathanar continues the story of
Silappadikaram in next generation
in which Manimekhalai is the daughter
of Madhavi and Kovalan.
Q.17) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Correct - Hereditary monarchy
was the form of government in the Sangam
age. The king was assisted by a wide body of
officials who were categorised into five
councils.They were ministers (amaichar),

priests (anthanar), envoys (thuthar), military
commanders (senapathi), and spies (orrar).
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - Land revenue,
customs duty on foreign trade and booty
captured in wars were the main sources of
theincome.One sixth of the total produce was
collected as land tax. Tolls were also collected.
The local chieftains paid tributes and gifts to
the king and this income constituted a
significant part of the government revenue.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect - Sati was still
prevalent in the society and practised
especially by higher caste women.Widows
position in the society was vulnerable. Women
were not permitted to remarry and inherit
property.Women’s education was also insisted
during the Sangam Age. There were few
women poets like Avvaiyar, Kakkai Padiniyar
and Nachchellaiyar, whose verses are found in
the Sangam literature.
Q.18) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is Incorrect - Kurinji was the hilly,
forested terrain/ tracts of land/ mountainous
regions in the sangam age and its chief deity
was Murugan whose chief occupation was
hunting and honey collection. The other types
of land are as follows-
o Mullai was referred to the pastoral lands
and the chief Deity was Mayon,
o Marudam was the agricultural lands and
the chief deity was Indira,
o Neydal was referred to as the coastal lands
and the chief deity was Varunan
o Palai was the desert lands and the chief
deity was Korravai.
 Pair 2 is Incorrect - Nadu Kal/ Hero Stone was
erected in memory of the bravery shown by
the warrior in battle. They were erected to
honour valiant men killed in battle, or those
who lost their lives while defending their
villages or womenfolk. The nadu kals' or hero
stones with inscriptions were planted as part
of the burial and this has been described by
many Sangam poets too.
 Pair 3 is correct - The Sangam literature
provides valuable information regarding the
37
Sangam Age. The literature includes
Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu,
Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epics named –
Silappathikaram and Manimegalai. Among
them, The Ettuthogai means the Eight
Anthologies of the sangam era. They are
Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru,
Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal
and Padirruppattu.
Q.19) Answer: B
 Pair 1 is correct - Silappadikaram – written by
Ilango Adigal. It is about the love affair of
Kovalan, Kanaggi and Madhavi. Later, a
Kannagi Cult developed in South India.
 Pair 2 is incorrect - Tirrukural deals with
philosophy and wise maxims & was written by
Tiruvallur. Tirukkural comprises 133 sections of
10 couplets each is divided into three books:
Aram (virtue), Porul (government and society),
and Kamam (love).
 Pair 3 is incorrect - Madurai Kanji describes the
socio-economic condition of the Pandya
country and is written by Mangudi
Maruthanar.
Q.20) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct - According to the
Sangam literature, the Tamil land had certain
commodities which were in great demand in
foreign markets. Black pepper, cardamom,
ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, ivory
products, pearls, precious stones. pearls and
gemstones,etc. The main imports included
horses, gold and glass.
 Statement 2 is incorrect - Tolkappiyam refers
to four castes namely arasar, anthanar,
vanigar and vellalar. The ruling class was
called arasar. Anthanars played a significant
role in the Sangam polity and religion. Vanigars
carried on trade and commerce. The vellalas
were agriculturists.
 Statement 3 is incorrect - Caste system was
widely prevalent during the Chola period.The
inscriptions of the later period of the Chola rule
mention about two major divisions among the
 38

castes – Valangai and Idangai castes. However, o There is plenty of information in the
there was cooperation among various castes Sangam literature to trace the position of
and subcastes in social and religious life. women during the Sangam age. Women
poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and
Q.21) Answer: A
Kakkaipadiniyar flourished in this period
 Pair 1 and 2 are correct:
and contributed to Tamil literature.
 Sangam Epic Tolkappiyam refers to the five-
fold division of lands - Kurinji (hilly tracks),
Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural),
Neydal (coastal) and Palai (desert). The people
living in these five divisions had their
respective chief occupations as well as gods for
worship.
 Kurinji – chief deity was Murugan – chief
occupation, hunting and honey collection.
 Mullai – chief deity Mayon (Vishnu) – chief o The courage of women was also
occupation,cattle-rearing and dealing with appreciated in many poems. Karpu or
dairy products. Chaste life was considered the highest
 Marudam – chief deity Indira – chief virtue of women. Love marriage was a
occupation, agriculture. common practice.
 Neydal – chief deity Varunan – chief o Women were allowed to choose their life
occupation fishing and salt manufacturing. partners. However, the life of widows was
 Palai – chief deity Korravai – chief miserable. The practice of Sati was also
occupation robbery. prevalent in the higher strata of society.
The class of dancers was patronized by the
kings and nobles.
Q.22) Answer: D
 Tolkappiyam refers to four castes
Q.24) Answer: B
namely arasar, anthanar, vanigar and vellalar.
The ruling class was called arasar. Anthanars  Options 1,2,3 and 6 are correct:
played a significant role in the o External trade was carried between South
Sangam polity and religion. Vanigars carried India and the Greek kingdoms. After
on trade and commerce. the ascendancy of the Roman Empire, the
The vellalas were agriculturists. Roman trade assumed importance. The
port city of Puhar became an emporium of
 Other tribal groups like Parathavar, Panar,
foreign trade, as big ships entered this port
Eyinar, Kadambar, Maravar and Pulaiyar were
with precious goods. Other ports of
also found in the Sangam society.
commercial activity include Tondi, Musiri,
Ancient primitive tribes like Thodas, Irulas,
Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam.
Nagas and Vedars lived in this period.
o The author of Periplus provides the most
 The primary deity of the Sangam period was
valuable information on foreign
Seyon or Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God.
trade. Plenty of gold and silver coins
The worship of Murugan had an ancient origin
issued by the Roman Emperors like
and the festivals relating to God Murugan was
Augustus, Tiberius and Nero were found
mentioned in the Sangam literature. He was
in all parts of Tamil Nadu.
honoured with six abodes known as Arupadai
o They reveal the extent of the trade and the
Veedu.
presence of Roman traders in the Tamil
country. The main exports of the Sangam
Q.23) Answer: B
age were cotton fabrics, spices like
 Only Statement 2 is incorrect:

pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and
turmeric, ivory products, pearls and
precious stones.
Q.25) Answer: C
Exp:
Megasthenes mentions that the palace
of Chandragupta Maurya, though very large and
luxurious, was built of carved and gilded wood
models on wooden originals. However, this was
not because of unskilled craftsmen or because
Mauryan architecture was primitive. The mastery
in stone work is also evident in Mauryan monolithic
columns. Thus, the use of wood over stone is
mainly attributed to the fact that stone was
comparatively scarce in the Gangetic plain and
timber was vastly abundant. The adoption of
stone in later periods as a building medium was
partly due to foreign contacts, but also to the
gradual disappearance of timber forests from the
more populous and civilized regions of
India. Hence, the assertion is correct but the
reason is incorrect.
Q.26) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Allahabad Pillar
inscription gives an account of military
conquests of Samudragupta. It describes the
circumstances of Samudragupta’s accession,
his military campaigns in north India and the
Deccan, his relationship with other
contemporary rulers, and his accomplishments
as a poet and scholar. This inscription
is engraved on an Asokan pillar. Hence, it is
related to both Ashoka and Samudragupta.
39
 Statement 2 is correct: Prayag
Prashasti written by Harisena in Sanskrit gives
an account of Samudragupta’s conquests.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Allahabad Pillar
inscriptions indicate that Samudragupta was
entirely opposite to that of Ashoka.
Samudragupta believed in military expeditions
and conquests while Ashoka was a peace
loving ruler who renounced warfare post the
Kalinga war.
Q.27) Answer: C
 Pair 1 is correct: Brihadsamhita was written
by Varahamihira in Sanskrit and deals with a
multitude of domains ranging from astronomy,
astrology, weather, marriage, animals. Other
works by Varahamihira are: Pancha
Siddhantika, Brihadjataka. Pancha
Siddhantika is an astronomical text which
comprises five earlier astronomical treatises -
Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Paulisa
Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta, and
Paitamaha Siddhanta.
 Pair 2 is incorrect: Vagbhata (600) was a
disciple of Charaka and a distinguished
physician of Ayurveda. He
wrote Ashtangasamgraha which is a work on
medicine. He also wrote
Ashtangahridaya. Banbhatta lived in the
Harsha’s (606-647 A.D.) court. He
wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari
 Pair 3 is correct: Kavyadarsha was written
by Dandin. He was also the author
of Dasakumaracharita.
Q.28) Answer: B
 Pair 1 is incorrect: The founder of
the Vardhana dynasty was Pushyabhuti who
ruled from Thaneswar. He served as a military
general under the imperial Guptas and rose to
power after the fall of the Guptas. With the
accession of Prabakara Vardhana (580–605
CE), the Pushyabhuti family became strong and
powerful. Prabakara Vardhana fought against
the Gurjaras and the Huns and established his
authority as far as Malwa and Gujarat.
 40

 Pair 2 is correct: The Palas ruled eastern India
from Pataliputra between the ninth and the
early twelfth centuries. Sanskrit, Prakrit and
Pali were the languages in use in their
kingdom. Palas followed Mahayana
Buddhism.
 Pair 3 is incorrect: The Rashtrakutas were
originally known to be the feudatories of the
Western Chalukyas of Vatapi. Rashtrakutas
were early rulers, the greatest ruler of
the dynasty was Dandidurga. Ruling from a
smaller part of Berar, Dandidurga built his
career of territorial conquest after the death
of Vikramaditya II (733–746 CE), the Chalukya
ruler. He captured the Gurjara Kingdom
of Nandipur, Malwa and eastern Madhya
Pradesh and the whole of Berar. By 750 CE, he
had become the master of central and
southern Gujarat and the whole of Madhya
Pradesh and Berar.
 Bhaga, Hiranya and Bali were the three kinds
of tax collected during Harsha’s reign. Bhaga
was the land tax paid in kind. One-sixth of the
produce was collected as land revenue.
Hiranya was the tax paid by farmers and
merchants in cash. There is no reference to
the tax Bali. The crown land was divided into
four parts.
o Part I - for carrying out the affairs of the
state
o Part II - for paying the ministers and
officers of the crown
o Part III - for rewarding men of letters.
o Part IV - for charity to religious institutions.
Students Note:

Q.29) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Information about
the Palas is also provided to us by Tibetan
chronicles, although these were written in
the seventeenth century. According to these,
the Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhist
learning and religion. The Nalanda university
which had been famous all over the
eastern world was revived by Dharmapala,
and 200 villages were set apart to meet its
expenses. He also founded the Vikramasila
university which became second only to
Nalanda in fame. It was located on the top of a
hill, on the banks of the Ganga in Magadha,
amidst pleasant surroundings. The Palas built
many viharas in which a large number of
Buddhist monks lived. Hence, Statement 2 is
correct.
 Statement 2 is correct: The
directly administered territories in the Pala
and Pratihara empires were divided into bhukti
(provinces), and mandala or visaya (districts).
The governor of a province was called uparika
and the head of a district, vidyapati. The
uparika was expected to collect land revenue
and maintain law and order with the help of
the army. The visayapati was expected to do
the same within his jurisdiction.

Q.30) Answer: C

Gupta Age, Post Guptas
Q.1) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is Incorrect - Prashastis are
glorifying praises of kings and rulers, and were
written by the poets of that time. Similarly
Prayag Prashasti is an inscription composed by
Harisena, a poet and minister in the royal court
of Samudragupta to depict his political and
military achievements to praise the king. It
contains historical evidence of the political
imperial power of Guptas.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - The inscription was
written in both verse and prose in classical
Sanskrit using Brahmi script . like the Puranas. The practice of Swyamvara
Prayag-Prashasti is the name given to the
Allahabad Pillar. It was originally engraved on
the Ashokan Pillar. It mentions about the
conquests of Samudragupta and boundaries of
the Gupta Empire.
Q.2) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is Incorrect - Charak is considered to be
the father of Ayurveda. Charak Samhita is his
treatise on the subject.
 Pair 2 is Incorrect - Varahamihira wrote three
important books-Pancha Siddhantika, the five
astronomical systems, Brihadsamhita- It deals
with a variety of subjects like astronomy,
astrology, geography, architecture, weather,
animals, marriage and omens in the Sanskrit
language, Brihat Jataka -work on astrology.
 Pair 3 is Incorrect - Amarasimha was one of the
nine gems in the court of chandragupta II along
with Kalidasa, Varahamihira, Dhanvantri, etc.
he is famous for his Sanskrit thesaurus
“Amarakosha”.
Q.3) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is Correct - The Brahmins were
given high status in the society. They were
bestowed with plenty of gifts by the rulers.
Meanwhile, the practice of untouchability
slowly started during this period. Fahien
elaborated that Chandalas were segregated
from the society and their condition was
miserable. The untouchables including
chandals lived away from the other groups
They were assigned the lowest status in the
Indian society.
41
 Statement 2 is Correct - Brahmanism gained a
lot of popularity during the Gupta period and
as a result Buddhism and Jainism received very
less royal patronage than the earlier times.
Fahien also mentions the decline of Buddhism.
However, a few Buddhist scholars like
Vasubandhu were supported by Gupta kings.
In western and southern India Jainism
flourished. The great Jain Council was held at
Valabhi during this period and the Jain Canon
of the Swetambras was written.
 Statement 3 is Correct - Women were
prohibited from studying the religious texts
was no longer practiced. The Manusmriti
suggested early marriage for the girls. So, it can
be concluded that the position of women had
become miserable during the Gupta period.
Q.4) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Correct - The inscriptions of
Naneghat inscriptions mentions the
Satavahanas especially about Gautamiputra
Satakarni. The Naneghat inscription suggests
that Satakarni performed horse sacrifices
(Aswamedha), to proclaim his sovereignty.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - Satavahanas
patronized both Buddhism and Brahmanism.
They built chaityas and viharas. They also made
grants of villages and lands to Buddhist monks.
The Karle inscription mentions that Satakarni
donated lands to the Buddhist monks. Also,
Vashishtaputra Pulamayi had got the old
Amaravathi stupa repaired.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect - The trade and
commerce prospered during the Satavahana
rule. Guilds were organized by the merchants
to increase their activities. The Satavahana
period also witnessed overseas commercial
activity.
Q.5) Answer: B
 The Aihole inscription of Pulakesin
II mentions the defeat of Harsha by Pulakesin
II, who after this achievement assumed the
title Paramesvara. It was written by Ravikirti,
the court poet of king Pulakesin-II. The
inscription is found at Aihole Meguti Temple in
Karnataka state, India.
 42

Q.7) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Intercaste marriage
was practiced by the Gupta rulers
to strengthen and consolidate their
powers. Chandragupta I married a Lichchhavi
princess from Nepal. Chandragupta II married
his daughter Prabhavati to the Brahmin rulers
of the Vakataka Dynasty.
 Mehrauli Inscription is related to  Statement 2 is incorrect: The accession
Chandragupta II- This mentions that of Chandragupta I in 319 A.D. marked the
Chandragupta conquered the Vanga beginning of the Gupta era. The Gupta Dynasty
Countries. It also mentions his conquest of was founded by Srigupta. Chandragupta I was
Vakatkas. This pillar was established by the third ruler of the Gupta dynasty and was
Chandragupta-II of Gupta dynasty as regarded as the founder of the Gupta era.
Vishnupada in the honor of Lord Vishnu.
 The Allahabad Pillar inscription of Q.8) Ans: B
Samudragupta, a prashasti composed by Exp:
Harishena, credits him with extensive military Chandragupta Maurya:
conquests. It suggests that he defeated several  Chandragupta Maurya established the
kings of northern India, and annexed their Mauryan Empire and became its first emperor
territories to his empire. in 321 BCE.He was the first ruler who tried to
 Udayagiri Cave Inscription - Mentions consolidate small fragmented kingdoms and
about Chandragupta II as well as combined them to form the first empire of the
Kumaragupta. Indian subcontinent. He was also called
'Sandrocottus' by the Greek scholar William
Q.6) Answer: D Jones. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
 Option A is incorrect: After the end of Kushan
rule, a large part of Central India was ruled by
their kinsmen, Murundas till 250 A.D. Twenty-
five years later, the Guptas came to power in
275 A.D.
 Option B is incorrect: The use of elephants and
horse-chariots began to decline from
the Kushan rule itself. Hence, during the times
of Gupta rule, cavalry and horsemen played an
important part.  Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who
 Option C is incorrect: The Gupta Rule was has left his records engraved on stones. Many
primarily centered around the present-day edicts were built by Ashoka throughout India,
states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Madhya including in modern-day Nepal and Hence,
Pradesh was also part of their Empire, but it Statement 1 is incorrect .
was Uttar Pradesh that was the dominant  Megasthenes visited India during the reign of
center. The important centers Chandragupta Maurya. He was a Greek envoy
included Anuganga (middle Gangetic of Seleucus I Nicator visited
basin), Prayag (Prayagraj), Saketa (Ayodhya), Pataliputra.He was a historian and diplomat
and Magadha. who served as an ambassador to
 Option D is correct: Saketa, present day India.Megasthenes assembled information
Ayodhya city was one of the important centers about India in his book called Indika. Hence,
of the Gupta. Statement 3 is correct.

Q.9) Ans: A
Exp:
 Samaharta was the chief revenue collector of
the Mauryan period. Samaharta was a very
responsible post in the administration of the
Mauryan government of Emperor
Chandragupta Maurya.The key task of the
collection of revenue from various parts of the
kingdom was the prime responsibility of a
samaharta.
 Sannidhata was the chief custodian of the
state treasury and store house during the
Mauryan period. Navadhyaksha was the
Superintendent of ships. Pairs 1 ,2 and 3 are
correct .
 The 'Sitadhyaksha' was the officer in charge of
agriculture.
 Akaradhyaksha was the Superintendent of
mines. Samsthadhyaksha was the
Superintendent of the market. Pair 4 is
incorrect.
Q.10) Ans: B
Exp:
 The Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit-language play
by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of
the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in
India.Vishakhadatta was the court poet of
Chandragupta II. Hence statement 1 is
incorrect .
 Chandragupta II (c. 380 – c. 415 CE), also
known by his title Vikramaditya as well as
Chandragupta Vikramaditya, was the third
ruler of the Gupta Empire in India, and one of
the most powerful emperors of the dynasty.
 Chandragupta liberated northwestern India
from the thraldom of Seleucus, who ruled over
the area west of the Indus. In the war with the
Greek viceroy, Chandragupta seems to have
come out victorious. Eventually, there was
peace between the two and in return for 500
elephants, Seleucus gave him eastern
Afghanistan, Baluchistan and the area west of
Indus.
 Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent
by seleucus to the court of Chandragupta
Maurya. Hence statement 2 is correct.
 He lived in the Maurya capital of Patliputra and
wrote an account not only of the
administration of the city of Patliputra but also
of the Maurya Empire as a whole.
43
 The account of Megasthenes does not survive
in full but quotation occur in the works of the
several subsequent Greek writers.these
fragments have been collected and published
in the form of a book called Indika which
throws valuable light on the administration,
society and economy of Maurya Times.
 The Mauryan Empire was finally destroyed by
pushyamitra shunga in 185 BC. Although a
bramhana, he was a general of the last Maurya
king called Brihadrata. He is said to have killed
Brihadrata in public and forcibly usurped the
throne of Patliputra. Statement 3 is correct.
Q.11) Ans: D
Exp:
Internal policy of Ashoka:
 Ashoka was converted to Buddhism as a result
of Kalinga war. According to tradition he
became a monk, made huge gifts to Buddhist
and undertook pilgrimages to the Buddhist
shrines. The fact of his visiting the Buddhist
shrines is also suggested by the Dhamma
Yatras mentioned in his inscriptions. Ashoka
set a very high ideal for himself and this was
the ideal of paternal kingship. He repeatedly
asked his official to tell the subjects that the
king looked upon them as his children.
 He disapproved of rituals especially those
observed by women. He forbade killing certain
birds and animals and completely prohibited
the slaughter of animals in the capital
Pataliputra. Statement 1 is correct.
 He interadicted gay social functions in which
people indulged in revalaries. Statement 2 is
correct.
 Ashoka brought about the political unification
of the country. He bound it further by one
Dharma, one language and practically one
script called Brahmi which was used in most of
his inscriptions. Statement 3 is correct. In
unifying country he respected such scripts as
Brahmi, kharoshthi, Aramaic and Greek.
Evidently he also accommodated such
languages as Greek, Prakrit and Sanskrit and
various religious sects. Ashoka followed a
tolerant religious policy.
Q.12) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: Fa-hsien (Fa-
Xian) visited Indian during the reign of Gupta

king Chandragupta-II. His purpose was to visit
holy Buddhis places such as Gaya, Lumbini,
Sarnath, Sanchi and to collect holy Buddhist
scriptures. On the other hand, Hsuan Tsang
(Xuan Zang) came to India between 631-
645AD. At that time Harsha was ruling over
North India and Pallava King Narsimha
Verman was ruling over southern India. Xuan
Zang had visited Pallava capital
Kanchipuram during his visit to India According
to his account the people of Kanchi esteemed
great learning and the Ghatika at Kanchi served
as a great centre of learning.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Fa-Xian came to India
through Central Asia and returned to China
from Bengal in a merchant ship. From there he
reached Java, where he halted for five months,
before boarding another merchant ship that
took him to China. On the other hand, Xuan-
Zang took the land route to China through
north-west and Central Asia. He carried with
him statues of the Buddha made of gold, silver
and sandalwood, and over 600
manuscripts loaded on the backs of 20 horses.
Over 50 manuscripts were lost when the boat
on which he was crossing the Indus capsized.
He spent the rest of his life translating the
remaining manuscripts from Sanskrit into
Chinese.
Q.13) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is correct: Rudradaman-I (130-150AD)
was the most famous Shaka ruler in India. He is
famous in history because of the repair work
he undertook to improve the Sudarshana
lake in the semi-arid zone of Kathiawar. He
issued the first-ever long inscription in chaste
Sanskrit, called Junagarh inscription. All the
earlier longer inscriptions that we have in this
country were composed in Prakrit. The
Junagadh rock also contains inscriptions of
Ashoka and Skandagupta.
 Pair 2 is incorrect: Udayagiri caves are famous
for the Hathigumpha inscription which is
presented in Kavya style, and in Brahmi. The
inscription starts out with “Jain Namokar
Mantra” and highlights various military
campaigns undertaken by the King Kharavela.
44
It records the historical events of his reign in a
chronological order.
 Pair 3 is correct: The achievements
of Gautamiputra Satakarni were recorded in
Nasik inscriptions by his mother. In this
inscription Gautamiputra Satakarni is called
“Ekabrahmana” which means either
‘unrivalled Brahmin’ or ‘the only protector of
the Brahmins’
 Pair 4 is correct: Harsha with an ambition to
extend his kingdom south of the Narmada river
marched against the Chalukya ruler. But
the Aihole inscription of Pulakesin II mentions
the defeat of Harsha by Pulakesin, who after
this achievement assumed the title
Paramesvara. The inscription was composed
by Ravikirti.
Q.14) Answer: C
 Pair 1 is correct: During the Sangam
period, war heroes occupied a special position
in society, and memorial stones called nadukal
or virukkal were raised in honour of those who
died in fighting and they were worshipped as
godlings.
 Pair 2 is incorrect: Muziris was the foremost
port in the Cheras kingdom.
The Periplus speaks of cargo-laden ships
landing here from Arabia and Egypt, and gives
long lists of imports and exports. Tondi was
another important port of Cheras.
 Pair 3 is correct: Kumaramatyas were high
level central officials under the Gupta kings.
One of the Vaishali seals refers to a
kumaramatya who seems to have been in
charge of the maintenance of the sacred
coronation tank of the Lichchhavis. Individuals
of the rank of kumaramatya sometimes
had additional designations as well, and such
ranks could be hereditary.
PW OnlyIAS Extra Edge:
 Kaveripattinam (also known as Pumpuhar
or Puhar) was the premier Chola port in
early historical times. Classical accounts
refer to it as Khaberis or Camara. An entire
Sangam collection—the Pattinappalai—is
devoted to a description of this place.

 Korkai was an important Pandya port,
celebrated for its pearls in Sangam poems
and Greek accounts. The Arthashastra also
refers to the pearl fisheries of Pandya
country.
Q.15) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The succession
during the Gupta rule was
mainly hereditary. However, the practice
of primogeniture (transfer of throne to the
eldest son) was not fully developed and this led
to uncertainties and chaos which was misused
by the chiefs and other officials. There were
numerous gifts made to the Brahmanas during
the Gupta times who compared the Kings to
God.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Guptas had a very
well developed judicial system where several
books on law were compiled. Civil and criminal
law was clearly distinguished for the first time
during the Gupta rule. The King was regarded
as the ultimate upholder of the law. Crimes
like adultery, theft, etc were put under criminal
laws while those relating to property
inheritance were put under the civil laws.
However, the guilds of artisans, merchants,
traders, etc. were governed by their own set of
laws.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Gupta rulers were
themselves Vaishyas and hence made
recruitment from the lower varnas as
well. The Kumaramatyas were the important
officials during the Gupta rule and were
directly appointed by the king and paid in cash.
A single person held several posts under the
Gupta rule and posts were
generally hereditary which loosened the
control of the King over his officials.
 Statement 4 is incorrect: The bureaucracy of
Guptas was not as organized as the Mauryas.
The civil servants were known
as Amatyas during the Mauryan
times. Mauryans had a council of ministers
called the Mantriparishad who helped the
king in the administration. It included Purohita,
45
Mahamantri, Senapati, and Yuvraj. Ashoka had
appointed Dhamma Mahamantras who
helped in the enforcement of Dhamma. The
Gupta kings assumed titles like
Paramabhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja,
Parameswara, Samrat and Chakravartin. The
king was assisted in his administration by a
council consisting of a chief minister, a
Senapati or commander in-chief of the army
and other important officials. The king
maintained a close contact with the provincial
administration through a class of officials
called Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas.
Q.16) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The system of
granting land tax free to the priests was started
in the Deccan by the Satavahanas. This system
was fully developed during the Gupta times
especially in Madhya Pradesh. Priests were
given tax free land and were even empowered
to collect taxes from the peasants. The priests
were also given powers to punish the criminals.
 Statement 2 is correct: The participation of
artisans, merchants, elders, and even priests in
the administration greatly reduced the need to
appoint administrators during the Gupta
times. Hence, the major chunk of the Gupta
Empire was administered by the feudal chiefs
and the beneficiaries of land grants. The areas
in the Northern parts of Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, and some areas of Madhya
Pradesh were administered by the officials
appointed by the Gupta rulers whereas
other areas near the fringe of the empire were
administered by the feudal vassals. These
feudal vassals received the King’s charters for
ruling the areas under their control in return
for tribute to the King. Samudragupta greatly
exercised control over these feudal vassals.
Q.17) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Gold coins during the
Gupta times were called Dinars and were
issued in large numbers. They portrayed the
conquests of the Gupta rulers. However,
they were not as pure as that of the Kushan
gold coins. Silver coins during the Gupta times

were mainly used for the purpose of local
exchange. The copper coins were very few in
number and hence indicate that the common
citizens did not make much use of money
unlike the Kushan period.
 Statement 2 is correct: Land grants given by
the Gupta rulers to the Brahmin priests
brought huge expanses of land under
cultivation with better knowledge of
cultivation imparted by the Brahmanas. They
emerged as landlords while the local peasantry
was subjugated.
 Statement 3 is correct: The economic status of
Shudras improved during the Gupta times due
to their employment in the agricultural
activities while in the earlier periods, Shudras
were mostly servants and slaves of the higher
varnas. They were permitted to listen to the
Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, and other
religious scriptures. They could even conduct
domestic rites that brought income to the
priests.
 Statement 4 is incorrect: The women of lower
varnas were given the freedom to work in the
agricultural fields and not depend fully on their
husbands. On the other hand, the women of
the higher varnas were still deprived of the
freedom of livelihood. Men of higher varnas
acquired huge land and property. They were
mostly polygamous and looked at women as
property.
Q.18) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: Mehrauli Iron Pillar
inscriptions talk of the conquests
of Chandragupta II. It is famous for the rust-
resistant composition of the metals used in its
construction.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Chandragupta II
patronized the Navratnas or the nine gems,
the most important among them
was Kalidasa. Others were: Amarsimha,
Dhanvantri, Harisena, Kahapanaka, Sanku,
Varahamihira, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Hun invasion was
faced mainly by Skangupta who protected the
empire from the Huns. However, weak
successors of Skandagupta could not save the
46
Gupta empire from the Huns. Ultimately, the
Gupta power totally disappeared due to the
Hun invasions and later by the rise of
Yasodharman in Malwa. Banabhatta in his
Harshcharitra refers to the Huns invasion.
 Statement 4 is incorrect: Bhitari monolithic
pillar inscription deals with Skandgupta. It is
located in Gazipur, Uttar Pradesh. It provides
chronology of the various Gupta rulers. It also
mentions the conflict between Skandagupta
and the Pushyamitras as well as the Hunas.
Q.19) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Sanskrit was
the court language of Guptas as a result of
which Sanskrit literature flourished under
them. Kalidasa, the great poet, and playwright
was in the court of Chandragupta
Vikramaditya.
 Statement 2 is correct: Kalidas composed
great epics such as
Abhijnanashaakuntalam, Kumarasambhavam,
Malavikagnimitram, Ritusamhara,
Meghadootam, Vikramorvashiyam, and
Raghuvamsham. The celebrated Sanskrit
drama Mṛichchhakatika was composed during
this time. It is attributed to Shudraka.
o Poet Harisena also adorned the court of
Samudragupta. He wrote the Allahabad
Prashasti (inscription).
o Vishnu Sharma of Panchatantra fame
lived during this era.
o Amarasimha (grammarian and poet)
composed a lexicon of
Sanskrit, Amarakosha.
o Vishakhadatta composed
Mudrarakshasa. Other grammarians who
contributed to the Sanskrit language
include Vararuchi and Bhartrihari.
● Statement 3 is correct: Bhasa wrote 13 plays
which echo the lifestyle of the Gupta Era along
with its prevalent beliefs and culture. The
unique features of the plays of this time is
that. They are all comedies. Characters of
higher and lower classes do not speak the
same language, Women and Sudras
featured in these plays speak Prakrit.
 47

Q.20) Answer: A was the first international residential

About Gupta Empire
 On the ruins of the Kushan empire arose a new
empire, which established its sway over a good
part of the former dominions of both
the Kushans and Satavahanas. This was the
empire of the Guptas. Although the Gupta
empire was not as large as the Maurya
empire, it kept north India politically
united for more than a century from AD. 335
to 455. The Guptas were
possibly the feudatories of the Kushans in
Uttar Pradesh, and seem to have succeeded
them without any wide time-lag. Factors that
led to the rise and growth of the Gupta
Empire:
 Statement 1 is correct: In the Kushan scheme
of things, horse-chariots and elephants had
ceased to be important. Horsemen played the
main part in the case with the Guptas.
Although some Gupta kings are described
as excellent and unrivaled chariot warriors,
their basic strength lay In the use of horses. All
these gave them mobility and made them
excellent horsemen.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Guptas enjoyed
certain material advantages. The center of
their operations lay in the fertile land
of Madhyadesha covering Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh. They could exploit the iron ores
of central India and south Bihar.
 Statement 2 is correct: Further, they took
advantage of their proximity to the areas in
north India which carried on silk trade with
the Eastern Roman empire also known as
the Byzantine empire.
university in the world. It was patronized by
his successors and later by Harsha. The
professors of the University were called
panditas. Some of its renowned professors
were Dingnaga, Dharmapala, Sthiramati and
Silabadhra. Dharmapala was a native of
Kanchipuram and he became the head of
Nalanda University. Though it was a Mahayana
University, different religious subjects like
the Vedas, Hinayana doctrine, Sankhya and
Yoga philosophies were also taught.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The top ten eminent
rulers of the Gupta empire in India are:
o Chandra Gupta I (320-335 or 340 A.D.)
o Samudra Gupta (Nearly 340-380 A.D.)
o Rama Gupta
o Chandra Gupta II (Nearly 380-413 or 415
A.D)
o Kumara Gupta (Near about 415-455 A.D.)
o Skanda Gupta (455-467 A.D)
o Puru Gupta (467-469 A.D.)
o Budha Gupta (477 to nearly 500 A.D.).
Students Note:

Q.21) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Nalanda University is
located in Rajgir, near Nalanda, Bihar, India. It
stands for a university that attracts students
and scholars from across Asia and even farther
away. It was developed under the patronage
of the Kumaragupta of the Gupta dynasty and

Pallavas & Chalukyas in South, Chola Empire (9th -12th Century)
Q.1) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect - The core area of
rule of the cholas was the Kaveri delta. The
Cholas controlled the central and northern
parts of Tamil Nadu.The Chola Empire
consisted of the current day territories of
Tiruchirapalli, Tiruvarur, Perambalur,
Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai,
Vridhachalam, Pichvaram and Thanjavur
districts of Tamil Nadu.
 Statement 2 is Correct - King Karikala, was
a famous ruler of the chola kingdom. He
founded the port city of Puhar (identical
with Kaveripattinam) and constructed 160
km of embankment along the Kaveri River.
He was the greatest among the early Chola
kings of the Sangam age in South India.
 Statement 3 is Correct - In the Battle of
Venni King Karikala defeated the
confederacy of Cheras, Pandyas and
eleven minor chieftains leading to the
unifying of the three kingdoms into one
under Karikala's rule. The Battle of Venni
was the defining event in the career of
Karikala, which established a virtual
hegemony among the three crowned
monarchs.
Q.2) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is Incorrect- Musiri and Tondi
were the important seaports of the
Chera dynasty Kaveripattinam was the port
associated with Chola dynasty. The oldest and
most famous port in the Chola Empire
was Poompuhar. Other naval ports of
cholas were located at Arikamedu,
Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Kulachal,
Korkai, Kadalur, and Thoothukudi.
48
 Statement 2 is Incorrect- Shalabhoga was a
type of land for the maintenance of a school.
According to Chola inscriptions, there were five
types of 'land gifts' that Chola kings gave to
their people:
o Vellanvagai was land for non-Brahmana,
peasant proprietors.
o Brahmadeya was land gifted to
Brahmanas.
o Shalabhoga was land given for the
maintenance of a school.
o devadana / tirunamattukkani was land
gifted to temples.
o Pallichchhandam land donated to Jaina
institutions.
Q.3) Answer: C
The Sangam literature discusses the 3 main
Kingdoms- Chola. Pandya & Chera.
 Statement 1 is correct - Chera kings adopted
the “Bow and arrow” as a crest/identity of
their dynasty. Cheras controlled the central
and northern parts of Kerala and the Kongu
region of Tamil Nadu. Vanji was their capital.
The Pugalur inscription of the first century A.D
refers to three generations of Chera rulers.
Senguttuvan (Red Chera) was one of the
prominent Chera Kings. He established
the Kannagi or Pattini Cult.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - The emblem of
the Cholas was the Tiger. They controlled the
central and northern parts of Tamil Nadu. Elara
was the earliest known king. He conquered Sri
Lanka & ruled over it for 50 yrs. Rajaraja chola,
Rajendra Chola etc were some prominent
chola
rulers. Kaverippattanam, Uraiyur and Arikam
edu (Puducherry) became famous centers of
trade and industry under Cholas.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect - The emblem of
the Pandya kings was Fish. They ruled from
Madurai and Korkai was their main port.
Rajasimha I , Nandivarman II were some
prominent Pandyan rulers. Pandyas had trade
relations with Romans. They were first
mentioned by Megasthenes. They also find
mention in the Ramayana &
Mahabharata. Maduraikkanji authored
by Mangudi Maruthanar describes the socio-

economic condition of the Pandya country.
Q.4) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct : The following are
some of the sources where Pandyas are
mentioned-
o Pandyas are mentioned in Kautilya’s
Arthashastra and Megasthenes’ Indica.
o They are also frequently mentioned in
the Sangam Literature.
o They also find mentions in the Ramayana
and Mahabharata.
o The Hathigumpha inscriptions of the
Kalinga King Kharavela, refers to the arrival
of tributes from the Pandyan king.
 Statement 2 is incorrect - In the later part of
the 13th century (in 1288 and 1293 CE)
Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited the
Pandya kingdom and left a vivid description of
the land and its people.In his travel account, he
also records the incidents of sati and the
polygamy practiced by the kings. He also
visited the Kakatiya kingdom.
 Statement 3 is correct - The Pandyan dynasty
power declined with the invasion of a tribe
called the Kalabhras. For a long time, this
period of the Kalabhras was described as the
‘Dark Ages’ in the history of Tamilakam. There
was political chaos during the Kalabhra
rule. The secular outlook of the Sangam
period gave way to the religious outlook of
the Kalabhras.
49
Extra Edge by PW Only IAS:
 Ibn Batuta a Moroccan traveller visited India
in 1334. He was contemporary of Muhammad
Tughlaq and was his envoy to China.
 During the journey he visited Malabar Coast,
Bengal, Assam, Sri Lanka, Maldive, Sumatra
etc. He went to China through the sea route
but returned by land route through central
Asia.
 His book Rihla, written in Arabic, provides
extremely rich and interesting details about
the social and cultural life in the subcontinent
in the fourteenth century.
Q.5) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect- The Pallava state was
divided into Kottams. The Kottams were
administered by officers appointed by the king.
The king was at the centre of administration in
which he was assisted by able ministers.
 Statement 2 is Correct- The king provided
land-grants to the temples known as
Devadhana and also to the Brahmans known as
Brahmadeya. These lands were exempted by
the taxes of the government.
 Statement 3 is Correct- The Pallava
inscriptions depict on the village assemblies
called sabhas as well as their committees.
Sabhas maintained records of all village lands,
looked after local affairs and managed
temples. In Pallava polity, there are three
important territorial assemblies- Ur, Sabha
and Nagaram. The Ur was a non-Brahmanical
assembly .The Nagara was an assembly of
mercantile groups. All these local assemblies or
bodies used to meet regularly every year while
the day-to-day tasks were taken care of by a
small executive body. However, the king was at
the centre of administration in which he was
supported by ministers.
Q.6) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct : The Mamandur
inscription contains a note on the notation of
vocal music. Mahendravarman Pallava’s
achievements and titles were also inscribed
here. The Kudumianmalai inscription referred

to musical notes and instruments.It is an
important musical Inscription.
 Statement 2 is correct : The Sittannavasal
paintings belonged to this period. They are a
2nd-century Jain complex of caves in Tamil
Nadu. It has beautiful Fresco Paintings. They
have a close form of Ajanta and Bagh
caves. Most paintings date to the Pandyan
period i.e. 9th century AD. The notable
drawings include a pond with lotuses. This
scene shows Samava-sarana –a unique, chosen
and elegant audience hall where Tirthankaras
gave sermons after they reached realisation
(kevala-jnana).
 Statement 3 is correct: Pallavas were
the contemporaries of
Chalukyas. Mahendravarman II was also
a contemporary of Harshavardhan.
Q.7) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Cheras controlled
the central and northern parts of Kerala and
the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu. Vanji was
their capital and the ports of the west coast,
Musiri and Tondi, were under their control.
o Vanji is identified with Karur, while some
scholars identify it with Tiruvanchaikkalam
in Kerala.
o Now it is accepted by most scholars that
there were two main branches of the
Chera family and the Poraiya branch ruled
from Karur of present-day Tamil Nadu.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The Patitrupathu
speaks of eight Chera kings, their territory and
fame. The inscriptions of Pugalur near Karur
mention Chera kings of three generations.
Chellirumporai issued coins in his name.
Imayavaramban Nedun-cheralathan and
Chenguttuvan are some of the prominent
Chera kings. Chenguttuvan defeated many
50
chieftains and is said to have ensured the
safety of the great port Musiri by putting down
piracy.
o But the great north Indian expedition of
Chenguttuvan mentioned in
Silappathikaram is however not
mentioned in the Sangam poems.
o He is said to have ruled for fifty-six years,
patronising the orthodox and heterodox
religions. Some Cheras issued copper and
lead coins, with Tamil-Brahmi legends,
imitating Roman coins. There are many
other Chera coins with their bow and
arrow emblem but without any writing on
them.
Q.8) Ans: A
Exp:
● Statement 1 is correct: The Pandya dynasty,
also known as the Pandyas of Madurai, was a
dynasty of south India, one of the three famous
Tamil lineages, the other two being the Chola
and the Chera. The Pandyas ruled from
Madurai. Korkai was their main port, located
near the confluence of Thampraparani with
the Bay of Bengal. It was famous for pearl
fishery and chank diving. Korkai is referred to
in the Periplus as Kolkoi. Fish was the emblem
of the Pandyas. Their coins have elephants on
one side and a stylised image of fish on the
other. They invaded Southern Kerala and
controlled the port of Nelkynda, near
Kottayam. According to tradition, they
patronized the Tamil Sangams and facilitated
the compilation of the Sangam poems. The
Sangam poems mention the names of several
kings, but their succession and regional years
are not clear.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: From the 6th century
to the 9th century CE, the Chalukyas of Badami
or Rashtrakutas of the Deccan, the Pallavas of
Kanchi, and Pandyas of Madurai dominated
the politics of south India. The Pandyas at one
time or another ruled or invaded the fertile
estuary of Kaveri (the Chola country), the
ancient Chera country (Kongu and central
Kerala) and Venadu (south Kerala), the Pallava
country and Sri Lanka. The Pandyas went into
decline with the rise of the Cholas of Tanjore
in the 9th century and were in constant

conflict with them. The Pandyas allied
themselves with the Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) and
the Cheras in harassing the Chola Empire until
it found an opportunity for reviving its
fortunes during the late 13th century.
Q.9) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Sangam Age
constitutes an important chapter in the history
of South India. According to Tamil legends,
there existed three Sangams (Academy of
Tamil poets) in ancient Tamil Nadu popularly
called Muchchangam. These Sangams
flourished under the royal patronage of the
Pandyas. The first Sangam, held at Then
Madurai, was attended by gods and legendary
sages but no literary work of this Sangam was
available. The second Sangam was held at
Kapadapuram but all the literary works had
perished except Tolkappiyam. The third
Sangam at Madurai. In the Sangam Age the
wars waged by the Vendar were involved in
expanding their territorial base by annexing
the enemy’s territories. Endemic warfare
presumably created conditions for social
disparities. War captives serving in some cult
centres are mentioned. Some references to
slaves are also found there.
 Statement 2 is correct: The corpus of Sangam
literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai,
Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the
two epics - Silappathigaram and Manimegalai.
Tolkappiyam authored by Tolkappiyar is the
earliest of Tamil literature. Women were
actively engaged in economic production and
there were a significant number of women
poets in the Sangam Age. Women poets like
Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar
flourished in this period and contributed to
Tamil literature.
51
 Statement 3 is correct: There is evidence of
craft production such as bronze vessels, beads
and gold works, textiles, shell bangles and
ornaments, glass, iron smithy, pottery making.
Craft production was common in the major
urban centres such as Arikamedu, Uraiyur,
Kanchipuram, Kaveripattinam, Madurai,
Korkai, and Pattanam in Kerala.
Maduraikanchi speaks about day markets as
well as night markets selling several craft
goods.
Q.10) Ans: C
Exp:
● The Sangam corpus includes six of the eight
anthologies of poems included in the Ettutokai
(The Eight Collections), and nine of the ten
pattus (songs) of the Pattuppattu(The Ten
Songs). The style and certain historical
references in the poems suggest that they
were composed between the 3rd century BCE
and the 3rd century CE. They were compiled
into anthologies in about the mid-8th century.
● A few centuries later, these anthologies were
collected into the super-anthologies (i.e.,
anthologies of anthologies) called the
Ettuthokai and the Pattuppattu. The earliest
parts of the first two books of the Tolkappiyam
can also be included in Sangam literature.
● The Tolkappiyam is essentially a work on
grammar, but it also includes a discussion of
phonology, semantics, syntax, and literary
conventions. A number of Tamil didactic works

were written in the post-5th century period.
The most famous of these is Thiruvalluvar's
Thirukkural, a work on ethics, polity, and love
(5th–6th centuries).
● Of the several Tamil epics, two of the best
known are the Silappadikaramand
Manimekalai. The former is a little earlier than
the latter, but both were composed in about
the 5th–6th centuries CE.
Q.11) Ans: A
Exp:
 The first three centuries of the Common Era
are widely accepted as the Sangam period, as
the information for this period is mainly
derived from the Sangam literature. More
correctly this has to be called the early
historical period and starts one or two
centuries earlier, from the second century
BCE, as we have clear epigraphical and
archaeological evidence, in addition to literary
evidence.
 The names of persons mentioned in
inscriptions on pottery reveal the presence of
non-Tamil speakers, mostly traders, in certain
craft centres and towns. Traders from faraway
regions were present in the Tamil country.
 Manimegalai refers to Magadha artisans,
Maratha mechanics, Malva smiths and Yavana
carpenters working in cooperation with Tamil
craftsmen.
 Trade-related terms such as vanikan,
chattanand nigama appear in the Tamil-Brahmi
inscriptions. Salt merchants called
umanar,traveled in bullock carts along with
their families for trade activities. Chattu
referred to the itinerary or mobile merchants.
Q.12) Ans: B
Exp:
About the Thirukkural:
● Thirukkural (Tamil: “Sacred Couplets''), also
called Kural, is the most celebrated of the
Patiren-kirkkanakku (''Eighteen Ethical
Works”) in Tamil literature and work that has
had an immense influence on Tamil culture
and life. It was authored by the poet
Tiruvalluvar who lived in Tamil Nadu in the
6th century, though some scholars assign an
earlier date (1st-century bc).
52
● Thirukkural is concerned with an ethical
lifestyle and is very practical in its approach
and focus materials. It has as its foremost
moral imperatives the avoidance of killing and
the avoidance of falsehood. It also commends
to the reader a feeling of compassion for all
individuals, regardless of caste or creed.
● The poems are concerned with two main
topics: those of the first five collections are on
love (akam), and those of the next two are on
heroism (puram), including the praise of kings
and their deeds.
● Thirukkural is widely regarded as a secular
work which despite some references to God,
does not venture to propound the tenets of
any particular religion or godhead. Its 133
sections of 10 couplets each are divided into
three books: aram (virtue), porul
(government and society), and kamam (love).
Q.13) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: Cholas had built more
than two hundred temples which seems to be
a continuation of previous Pallava
architecture with some variations. These
temples amply illustrate the style of
architecture between the 8th to 12th
century and its influence may also be seen on
the architecture of temples of Ceylon and
those of South-East Asian kingdoms like Sri
Vijaya (Sumatra) and Chavakam (Java). The
important example of the early group is
the Vijayalaya temple while the latter group
represents the Brihadeeswara temple of
Thanjavur. Brihadeeswara Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Shiva, located in
Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It
is also known as Raja Rajeswara Temple. It is
one of the largest temples in India and is the
finest example of Dravidian architecture
during the Chola period. It was built by
emperor Raja Raja Chola I. The temple is part
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as
the “Great Living Chola Temples”.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Airavatesvara
temple at Darasuram was built by the
great Chola king Rajaraja II. Despite being a
smaller temple, the Airavatesvara temple
holds sculptural masterpieces that make it
stand separately, exemplifying the great
heights achieved in the field of art,

sculpture, and architecture, during the Chola
reign.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Papanatha
Temple was built during the 8th Century in the
Early Chalukya period. It is part of Pattadakal
group of monuments which is a UNESCO world
heritage site. This temple has features of both
Dravida and Nagara styles. Pattadakal
monuments in Karnataka, represent a high
point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and
8th centuries under the Chalukya
dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of
architectural forms from northern and
southern India. An impressive series of
nine Hindu temples, as well as a
Jain sanctuary, can be seen there.
Q.14) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Sangam literature is
the compilation of the earliest available Tamil
literature. It implies an association of Tamil
poets that flourished in ancient southern India.
The three chief Tamil kingdoms of this period
were the Cheras, the Cholas, and the
Pandyas. The Sangam period roughly extends
between 300 BC and 300 AD, although most of
the work is believed to have been composed
between 100 CE and 250 CE. The Sangam texts
are different from the Vedic texts, particularly
the Rig Vedic texts. They do not constitute
religious literature. The short and long
poems were composed by numerous poets in
praise of numerous heroes and heroines. Thus
they are secular in nature.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Sangam texts refer
to many settlements including
Kaveripattanam whose flourishing existence is
now attested archaeologically. They also
speak of the Yavanas (foreigners) coming in
their own vessels purchasing pepper with gold
and supplying wine and women slaves to the
natives. This trade is known not only from
Latin and Greek writings but also from
archaeological records. The Sangam literature
is a very major source of our information for
the social, economic and political life of
the people living in deltaic Tamil Nadu in the
early Christian centuries.
Q.15) Answer: A
53
 Statement 1 is correct- Two inscriptions
belonging to the period of Parantaka I found
at Uthiramerur provide details of the
formation and functions of village councils.
That village was divided into thirty wards and
each was to nominate its members to the
village council.
 Statement 2 is incorrect- The system of village
autonomy with sabhas and their
committees developed through the ages and
reached its culmination during the Chola
rule. Decentralisation of administration was an
important feature of Chola rule.
 Statement 3 is incorrect- The Cholas paid
special attention to their navy. The naval
achievements of the Tamils reached its climax
under the Cholas. They controlled the Malabar
and Coromandel coasts. In fact, the Bay of
Bengal became a Chola lake for some time.
 Statement 4 is correct- Uttaramerur
inscriptions talk about the Kudavolai system.
This system was a very notable and unique
feature of the village administration of the
Cholas. The representative for each ward in a
village was elected through this system.
Q.16) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct - The Pallavas
introduced the art of excavating temples from
the rock. And the Dravidian style of temple
architecture also began with the Pallava rule.
 Statement 2 is correct - The second stage of
Pallava architecture is represented by the
monolithic rathas and Mandapas found at
Mamallapuram. In the subsequent
phases/stages of the pallava architecture there
was a gradual evolution starting from the cave
temples to monolithic rathas and subsequently
in the structural temples.
 Statement 3 is correct- Descent of the Ganga’
or Arjuna’s Penance at Mahabalipuram is one
of the best examples of the art and
architecture of the Pallavas. The Kailasanatha
temple at Kanchi and the Shore temple at
Mamallapuram are also one of the finest
examples of the early structural temples of the
Pallavas.
Q.17) Answer: C
Option C is correct: India under 900 AD consisted
of several dynasties ruling it. The Karkota

Dynasty established their rule in Kashmir. It
was founded by the Durlabh Vardhana during the
times of Harshavardhana. The Pratihara
Dynasty also known as the Gurjara-Pratihara was
founded by the Harishchandra (a Brahmana) in and
around the areas near Jodhpur, in South west
Rajasthan. The Palas extended their rule in areas
of Bihar and Bengal. The Pala dynasty was founded
by Gopala in the 8th century AD. These rulers were
mainly the followers of the Mahayana and the
Tantric school of Buddhism. The Rashtrakuta
Kingdom was founded by Dantidurga in 753 AD
who was the feudatory of the Chalukya
kingdom. They ruled over the areas of the Deccan.
Hence, the correct geographical sequence of the
above kingdoms in the south to north direction
is Rashtrakutas, Palas, Pratiharas, and
Karkota. Therefore, option 4-3-2-1 is correct.
Q.18) Ans. B
 Statement 1 is correct: The Pratiharas were
also known as the Gurjara−Pratiharas, as they
originated from the Gurjaras who were
primarily pastoralists and fighters. Since the
early kings of this dynasty considered the epic
hero Lakshmana as their hero, who served as
the door-keeper to his brother Rama, the
Pratiharas took on their title which literally
means ‘door-keeper’. The Gurjara−Pratiharas
are known for their sculpture, their carved
panels and the open pavilion style temples.
The dynasty was founded by a Brahmana
named Harichandra in and around Jodhpur,
south western Rajasthan.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Under Bhoja and his
successor Mahendrapala I, the Pratihara
empire reached its peak of prosperity and
power. The extent of its territory was almost
similar that of the Guptas and by the time of
Mahendrapala, the empire reached west to
the border of Sindh, east to Bengal, north to
the Himalayas, and south past the Narmada.
 Statement 3 is correct: Mahendrapala took the
title Maharajadhiraja of Aryavarta (Great King
of Kings of Northern India). His court was
adorned by Rajashekhar, who was an eminent
Sanskrit poet, dramatist and critic who wrote:
54
o Karpuramanjari: A famous play written in
Sauraseni Prakrit to please his wife,
Avantisundari, a woman of taste and
accomplishment. He is perhaps the only
ancient Indian poet to acknowledge a
woman for her contributions to his literary
career.
o Kavya Mimansa (around c.880−920 CE): A
practical guide for poets that explains the
elements and composition of a good
poem.
Q.19) Ans: A
Exp:
 Dharmapala (c.770−810 CE):
o Though he initially suffered defeats at the
hands of the Pratiharas and the
Rashtrakutas (he was defeated by the
Rashtrakuta king, Dhruva, who had earlier
defeated the Pratihara ruler too), but later
he conquered large parts of northern
India and raised the Pala empire to great
heights.
o He founded the Vikramshila monastery
near Bhagalpur in Bihar, and like Nalanda
university, it also attracted students from
all parts of India and from Tibet. Many
Sanskrit texts were translated into Tibetan
language at this monastery. The most
celebrated name associated with the
Vikramshila University was that of the
Buddhist scholar Dipankara (called Atisa),
who was greatly respected in Tibet.
o He also founded the Somapuri monastery
(near Paharpur, Bihar) and is also credited
with the grant of 200 villages to Nalanda
University.
o The renowned 8th century Buddhist
scholar, Santarakshita, who is also
considered as an abbot of Nalanda,
belonged to his reign. Santarakshita
founded the philosophical school known as
Yogacara- Svatantrika-Madhyamika, which
united the Madhyamaka tradition of
Nagarjuna, the Yogacara tradition of

Asanga and the logical and epistemological
thought of Dharmakirti.
Q.20) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: The Pala empire's lands
that were managed directly and were divided
into many provinces known as Bhuktis and
governed by officials known as Uparika.
o Uparika collected the levy and preserved
the province's law and order.
o These Bhuktis (Provinces) were further
segmented into Vishaya (Divisions) and
Mandala (Districts).
o Further, they were divided into smaller
units like Khandala, Bhaga, Avritti,
Chaturaka, and Pattaka.
 Statement 2 is correct: Pala's administrative
system was based on Gupta's administrative
system, however more efficiently managed.
The Pala Dynasty had a monarchical
administrative structure. All power was
concentrated in the hands of the king or
monarch.
Extra info:
The Pala dynasty ruled from 8th century to 12th
century CE in the regions comprising Bihar and
Bengal.
 Gopala founded the dynasty in 750 AD.
o Rulers of Pala dynasty also built
magnificent monasteries and temples:
Somapura Mahavihara (in Bangladesh),
Odantapuri Monastery.
They also patronized Buddhist centers of
learning like Nalanda University and the
Vikramshila University. Important rulers of Pala
Dynasty were:
 Gopala(Reign: 750-770AD), Dharmapala
(Reign: 770 – 810 AD),
 Devapala (Reign: 810 – 850 AD)
 Madanapala (Reign: 1144 – 1162 AD)
After him, the Sena dynasty replaced the Palas.
55
Q.21) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: The Satavahanas
retained some administrative structures
of Ashokan times. Their district was
called ahara, as it was known in the time of
Ashoka, and their officials were known
as amatyas and mahamatras, as was the case
in Maurya times. However,
their administrative divisions were also
called rashtra, and their high officials were
styled maharashtrikas. The lowest level of
administration was a grama (village), which
was under the charge of a gaulmika.
Statement 2 is correct: There was remarkable
progress in the fields of trade and
industry during the Satavahana rule.
Merchants organized guilds to increase their
activities. The Satavahana period also
witnessed overseas commercial
activity. Ptolemy mentions many ports in the
Deccan. The greatest port of the Satavahanas
was Kalyani on the west
Deccan. Gandakasela and Ganjam on the east
coast were the other important seaports.
Q.22) Answer: C
 Option A is correct: The best account of Indo-
Roman trade is given in the book called
the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea. Major items
of export to the Romans were the Indian
products. such
as spices (included yavanapriya or pepper), p
erfumes, jewels, ivory and fine
textiles (muslin especially), several precious
and semi-precious stones
like diamond, carnelian, turquoise, agate, sap
phire, and so on, besides
pearls, indigo, sandalwood, iron and steel
cutlery. Against this import, Romans
exported gold and silver to India.
 Option B is correct: Though the concept of
varna was known, social classes in the Sangam
period were not marked by higher or lower
rankings as in north India. For example,
Brahmans were present in the society and they
performed Vedic ceremonies and sacrifices
and also acted as advisers to the chief but they
enjoyed no special privileges.
 Option C is incorrect: Women in the Sangam
period were educated and engaged in
various economic activities such as paddy

plantation, cattle rearing, basket-making,
spinning etc. Child marriage was absent but
the cruel practice of Sati was also prevalent in
Tamil society, and it was known as tippayadal.
But it was not obligatory as there are
references to widows present in society.
However, their position was miserable as they
were prohibited to decorate themselves or
participate in any form of amusement.
Q.23) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect - The Pandya rulers
created a number of irrigation sources and as a
result agriculture flourished during the
Pandyan times. The trade activities also
flourished immensely. They exempted traders
from various kinds of port dues and tolls. Kayal
was their great port. Marco Polo, the famous
traveller from Venice, visited Kayal twice, in
1288 and in 1293. He tells us that this port
town was full of ships from Arabia and China
and bustling with business activities.
 Statement 2 is correct - The Delhi Sultanate
ruler Allaudin Khilji, sent his general Malik
Kafur to the Southernmost Kingdoms. He
invaded the Pandyan Kingdom. He plundered
the city of Madurai. The Madurai temple was
desecrated and an enormous amount of
wealth was looted. After Malik Kafur’s
invasion, the Pandyan kingdom came to be
divided among a number of the main rulers in
the Pandya’s family.
 Statement 3 is incorrect - Cholas undertook
measures to improve the irrigation system. For
the periodical or seasonal maintenance and
repair of irrigation works, conscripted labour
was used. Village assemblies under the Cholas
collected a tax called eriayam, which was
utilised for repairing irrigation tanks.
Q.24) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct: There was a
regular land revenue department ( Puravu
Vari tinaikkalam) during the Chola period and
a well maintained record of land rights,
surveys and keeping of fresh entries
(Varippottagam) highlighting a well organized
tax assessment and tax collection mechanism.
 Statement 2 is correct: There
was differentiation in the central taxes and the
56
local cesses, the latter was collected by the
local authorities with the central authorities
providing them full assistance in enforcing
their demands.
 Statement 3 is correct: Analysis through
statistics and the chronology and spatial
distribution of tax terminology and the context
of their occurence have revealed that the
major land tax ( kadamai) was standardized,
along with a number of small ones related to
land.
Q.25) Answer: A
 Pulakesin I (543-566 AD) was the founder of
the Chalukya dynasty. He established a small
kingdom Badami (Vatapi) as its capital.
 Kirtivarman I (566-597 AD) was the son of
Pulakesin I, and expanded the kingdom
by wars against the Kadambas of Banavasi and
the Nalas of Bastar.
 Vikramaditya I (644-681 AD) drove out the
Pallava forces, and consolidated the kingdom.
Later he plundered Kanchi, the capital of the
Pallavas, thus avenging his father’s (Pulakesin
II) defeat in the hands of Pallava ruler
Narasimhavarman I.
 Vikramaditya II (733-744 AD) invaded
Pallava kingdom three times, and repelled the
Arab invasion of South Gujarat.
 Kirtivarman II ( 744-755 AD) was the last
Chalukyan ruler of Badami and was defeated
by Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta
dynasty, marking the end of the Chalukyan
dynasty.
Students Note:

Ghaznavid & Turkish Invasions, Delhi Sultanate (1200 - 1400 CE)
Q.1) Answer: B
 Pair 1 is Correct - Chahalgani is a term used for
“the 40” Turkish chiefs. They were noblemen
who exerted great influence on the
kingdom. Iltutmish had shown great deference
to them. But when he chose Razia as his
successor, these noblemen were not very
pleased and started making trouble for her.
 Pair 2 is Incorrect - Chaugan was a polo like
sport played from horseback. It was popular
among the aristocrats and used specially
trained horses, a ball and a stick. It originated
in Iran and was played even in Central Asia and
India. Qutubuddin Aibak had fallen from his
horse and suffered injuries and ultimately died.
 Pair 3 is Correct - Paibos was a Persian
tradition made compulsory by the slave ruler
Balban/Ulugh Khan. The visitors were to kiss
the feet of the Sultan to show respect and
deference. Another such tradition also made
compulsory by Balban was Sajdah which
involved a person touching the floor with his
face while sitting in front of the ruler. He
himself was one of the slaves and had risen to
become a Turkish chief. By introducing these,
he wanted to show that other chiefs were not
his equals.
 Pair 4 is Incorrect - Allaudin Khalji set out to fix
the price of all commodities from foodgrains to
slaves and horses etc. He set up three markets
for foodgrains, for clothes and for slaves,
horses etc. Each of these was under a
“Shahna” who was an official to control prices
and shopkeepers. He maintained a register of
57
all the merchants.
Q.2) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Bulban was himself
one of the Turkish chiefs and had arrogated all
power to himself. He refused to entertain
important government posts for anyone who
did not belong to a noble family. This virtually
meant exclusion of even Indian muslims from
positions of power and authority.
 Statement 2 is correct: Although he wanted to
break the power of the chahalgani (the 40) and
didn’t like the non-turks, but to win the
public's confidence, he administered justice
with extreme impartiality. Not even the
highest in the land were spared if they
transgressed his authority.
 Statement 3 is correct: He was not prepared
to share power with anyone, even though he
considered himself a champion of the Turkish
nobility. He excluded non-Turks from the
administration. He dissatisfied many by basing
his rule over a very narrow racial group. This
led to much disturbance and troubles after his
death.
Q.3) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct: By the end of the 9th
century, the Abbasid Caliphate was in
decline and replaced by a series of states
ruled by Islamized Turks. After entering the
empire as palace guards and mercenary
soldiers, they emerged as king makers. As the
power of the central government declined,
provincial governors started assuming
independent status and these new rulers
assumed the title of ‘amir’ at first and of
‘sultan’ later on.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Turks brought with
them the habit of ruthless plunder, their main
mode of warfare consisted of rapid advance
and retreat, lightning raids, and any loose body
of stragglers. They could do this because of the
excellent quality of their horses as also their
hardihood so that they could cover incredible
distances on horseback.
 Statement 3 is correct: Break up of Gurjara-
Pratihara empire led to a phase of political
uncertainty in north India, and a new phase of
struggle for domination. As a result, little

attention was paid to the emergence of
aggressive, expansionist Turkish states on the
northwestern border of India and in West Asia.
Q.4) Answer: D
 Kabul, Kandahar and its neighbouring area to
the south were known as Zabul
or Zamindawar, they were considered parts of
al-Hind or India till the end of the ninth
century.
 There were many Buddhist and Hindu shrines
in the area, the most important being the 53.5
m colossal statue of Buddha at Bamiyan, with
caves for the residence of a thousand monks.
 The area up to the river Oxus was ruled by
many dynasties, some of them claiming
descent from Kanishka. These kingdoms,
backed by a mixed population of local tribes,
Hunas, Turks,exiled Iranians and Indians
offered stiff resistance to the Arab effort to
enter the area for tribute , plunder and slaves.
Consequently there were skirmishes on both
sides of the river.
Q.5) Ans: C
Exp:
 Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316) was a strong and
efficient ruler of Khalji (Khilji) dynasty. He set
up a strong central government. He was the
highest authority of the state and he believed
in the history of divine right. The Sultan started
considering himself a representative of God or
“Shadow of God''. Some of the reforms
introduced by him were:
o Alauddin Khilji maintained a strong and
huge standing army to safeguard his
empire.
o He introduced the system of branding of
horses (dagh) and maintenance of the
descriptive register of soldiers to prevent
false musters and corrupt practices. Hence
option (A) is correct.
o Alauddin abolished the Jagir system and
paid the salaries in cash to soldiers.
o He fixed the pay of soldiers at 234 tankas a
year, with an additional 78 tankas for a
soldier maintaining two horses.
o Ariz-i-Mumalik was in charge of the
appointment of soldiers.
o Alauddin Khilji introduced the scientific
method of measurement of land for the
58
assessment of land revenue. He was the
first sultan to realize land revenue after the
assessment of land and measurement of
land under cultivation. The post of a
special officer called “Mustakhraj” was
created to collect land revenue from
peasants in doab area and khalisa lands.
 To keep the army satisfied with their salary, he
started a strict price control mechanism which
came to be known as the market reform
system. He fixed the prices of cattles, horses,
slaves. He strictly kept harsh punishments
against any kind of profiteering and this kept
his soldiers satisfied with their salaries.
Q.6) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Jalaluddin Khalji ruled
only for a brief period of six years. He tried to
mitigate some of the harsh aspects of Balban’s
rule. He was the first ruler of the Delhi
Sultanate to clearly put forward the view that
the state should be based on the willing
support of the governed, and that since the
large majority of the people in India were
Hindus, the state in India could not be a truly
Islamic state. He also tried to gain the goodwill
of the nobility by a policy of tolerance and
avoiding harsh punishments.
 Statement 2 is correct: Ala-ud-din was the first
Sultan to pay his soldiers in cash rather than
give them a share of booty. As the soldiers
were paid less, the prices had to be monitored
and controlled. Moreover, Ala-ud-din had to
maintain a huge standing army. In order to
restrict prices of essential commodities, Ala-
ud-din set up an elaborate intelligence
network to collect information on black-
marketing and hoarding. The transactions in
the bazaars, the buying and selling and the
bargains made were all reported to the Sultan
by his spies.
 Market superintendents, reporters and spies
had to send daily reports on the prices of
essential commodities. Violators of the price
regulations were severely punished. If any
deficiency in weight was found, an equal
weight of flesh was cut from the seller’s body
and thrown down before his eyes!

Q.7) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Alauddin Khilji took
important steps in the land revenue
administration. He was the first Sultan of Delhi
who ordered for the measurement of land.
Even the big landlords could not escape from
paying land tax. Ala-ud-din collected land taxes
directly from the cultivators. The village
headman who traditionally enjoyed the right
to collect them was now deprived of it.
 The tax pressure of Ala-ud-din was on the rich
and not on the poor. Ala-ud-din set up the
postal system to keep in touch with all parts of
his sprawling empire.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The reign of Firoz
Tughlaq was more notable for his
administration. He strictly followed the advice
of the ulemas in running the administration.
He pleased the nobles and assured hereditary
succession to their properties. Thus the iqta
system was not only revived but also it was
made hereditary. As per the Islamic law he
levied the taxes. Jiziya was strictly imposed on
non-Muslims. He was the first Sultan to
impose an irrigation tax. But at the same time
he dug irrigation canals and wells.
Q.8) Ans: A
Exp:
 The reign of Firoz Tughlaq was more notable
for his administration. He strictly followed the
advice of the ulemas in running the
administration. He pleased the nobles and
assured hereditary succession to their
properties.
59
 Statement 1 is correct: The iqta system was
not only revived but also it was made
hereditary. As per the Islamic law he levied the
taxes.
 Statement 2 is correct: Jiziya was strictly
imposed on non-Muslims. He was the first
Sultan to impose an irrigation tax. But at the
same time he dug irrigation canals and wells.
The longest canal was about 200 kilometers
from Sutlej to Hansi. Another canal was
between Yamuna and Hissar.
 Statement 3 is correct: A new department
called Diwan-i-Khairat was created to take
care of orphans and widows. Free hospitals
and marriage bureaus for poor Muslims were
also established. Firoz patronized scholars like
Barani. As he was guided by the ulemas, he
was intolerant towards Shia Muslims and Sufis.
He treated Hindus as second grade citizens
and imposed Jizya.
Q.9) Ans: B
Exp:
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced many liberal
and beneficial reforms. But all his reforms failed.
Contemporary writers like Isami, Barani and Ibn
Battutah were unable to give a correct picture
about his personality. But, Muhammad bin Tughlaq
was the only Delhi Sultan who had received a
comprehensive literary, religious and
philosophical education.
● Statement 1 is correct: Muhammad Tughlaq’s
attempt to shiftthe capital from Delhi to
Devagiri in Maharashtra, which he named
Daulatabad, was a bold initiative. This was
after his realization that it was difficult to rule
south India from Delhi. Centrally located,
Devagiri also had the advantage of possessing
a strong fort atop a rocky hill. Counting on the
military and political advantages, the Sultan
ordered important officers and leading men
including many Sufi saints to shift to Devagiri.
However, the plan failed, and soon
Muhammad realised that it was difficult to
rule North India from Daulatabad. He again
ordered transfer of capital back to Delhi.
● Statement 2 is correct: Equally innovative was
Muhammad Tughlaq's scheme to expand
cultivation. But it also failed miserably. It
coincided with a prolonged and severe famine
in the Doab. The peasants who rebelled were

harshly dealt with. The famine was linked to
the oppressive and arbitrary collection of land
revenue. The Sultan established a separate
department (Diwan-i-Amir Kohi) to take care
of agriculture. Loans were advanced to farmers
for purchase of cattle, seeds and digging of
wells but to no avail. Officers appointed to
monitor the crops were not efficient; the
nobility and important officials were of diverse
backgrounds.
Q.10) Ans: B
Exp:
 The sultans of Delhi enforced the Shariah and
also appointed the ulema to profitable offices,
they also formulated their own state laws
called zawabit to bring in a practicality in
solving disputes involving the people
 Aurangzeb was not interested in philosophical
debates or in mysticism—though he did
occasionally visit Sufi saints for their blessings,
and did not debar his sons from dabbling in
Sufism. While taking his stand on the Hanafi
school of Muslim law which had been
traditionally followed in India, Aurangzeb did
not hesitate in issuing secular decrees, called
zawabit. A compendium of his decrees, and
government rules and regulations had been
collected in a work called Zawabit-i-Alamgiri.
Theoretically, the zawabits supplemented the
sharia. In practice, however, they sometimes
modified the sharia, in view of the conditions
obtained in India which were not provided for
in the sharia.
Q.11) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is correct: Early Kushan kings
issued numerous gold coins with a higher
degree of metallic purity than is found in
the Gupta gold coins. Although the gold coins
of the Kushans are found mainly west of the
Indus, their inscriptions are distributed not
only in north-western India and Sindh but also
in Mathura, Shravasti, Kaushambi, and
Varanasi.
60
 Statement 2 is correct: Indo-Greek rule is
important in the history of India because of
the large number of coins that the Greeks
issued. The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers in
India to issue coins that can be definitively
attributed to particular kings. This is not
possible in the case of the early punch-marked
coins, which cannot be assigned with certainty
to any particular dynasty. The Indo- Greeks
were also the first to issue gold coins in India,
and these increased in number under the
Kushans.
 Statement 3 is correct: Kushanas coined the
precious metals of gold and copper into
circular shapes and design, by die-strike
technique, but in their own names, effigy and
style. Nevertheless, like the Indo-Greeks coins,
their original coins too had the king figuring on
the obverse and some deity, preferably Greek
God, on the reverse.
Q.12) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is correct : The Delhi Sultanate
had its origins in the victories of Muhammad
Ghori, he defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192
AD thus establishing a firm control over north
India. When Muhammad Ghori died in 1206
AD, his trusted general Qutubuddin
Aibak declared an independent dynasty in
Delhi which was known a Mamluk dynasty and
was the first in a series that became
collectively known as Delhi Sultanate.
 Statement 2 is incorrect : The Delhi Sultanate
consisted of five short lived dynasties of the
Sultanate based in Delhi. The first three (
Mameluk, Khalji and Tughlaq) of which were of

Turkish origin, the fourth was the Sayyid
dynasty ( Multan), and the last was the Lodhi
dynasty, which was of Afghan origin.
Q.13) Answer: D
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Firoz Shah
Tughlaq made the iqtadari system
hereditary. He made a rule that whenever a
noble a died, his son should be allowed to
succeed to his position, including this iqta, and
if he had no son, his son in law and in his
absence, his slave. He followed a lenient
approach towards the nobles in case of
revenue collection mismatch unlike his
predecessors. These steps pleased the nobles
and were a major factor for the absence of
rebellions by the nobles during his time.
 The Iqtadari system was a unique type of land
distribution and administrative system that
evolved during the reign of Iltutmish. Empire
was evenly distributed into large and small
tracts of land called iqtas to various nobles and
officers for better administration and revenue
collection.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: It was established
by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq to extend and
improve the cultivation in the doab. Under this
the area was divided into development blocks
headed by an official whose job was to extend
cultivation by giving loans to the cultivators
and to induce them to cultivate superior crops
–wheat in place of barley, grapes and dates in
place of sugarcane etc. Policy of extending and
improving cultivation was taken up by Firoz
shah Tughlak and later on to a larger scale by
Akbar.
 Statement 3 is correct: After his accession,
Firoz Shah Tughlaq was faced with the problem
of preventing the imminent break up of
theDelhi Sultanate. He adopted a policy of
trying to appease the nobles, the army and the
theologians and asserted his authority only
over such areas which could be easily
administered from Delhi. He therefore
made no attempt to reassert his authority over
South India and Deccan. He led two campaigns
into Bengal, but was unsuccessful in both and
resulted in the loss of Bengal.
61
Q.14) Answer: B
 Ibn Battuta’s book of travels,
called Rihla, written in Arabic, provides
extremely rich and interesting details about
the social and cultural life in the subcontinent
in the fourteenth century. Travelling overland
through Central Asia, Ibn Battuta reached Sind
in 1333. during the reign of the Tughlaq
dynasty. Ibn Battuta has travelled extensively
and has even mentioned about-the coconut
and paan(betel leaf).
 Nicolo Conti Was from Italy who visited
Vijayanagar Kingdom during the reign
of Devraya I (1406-1422). Conti refers to the
prevalence of slavery in society. He also
inferred that dancing, music, wrestling,
gambling and cock-fighting were some of the
amusements of the society.
 Domingo Paes was from Portugal. He visited
the Vijayanagar Kingdom during the rule
of Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529). Paes
mentioned the beautiful houses of the rich and
the large number of Their household servants.
Paes also refers to the flourishing devadasi
system in the kingdom.
 Fernao Nuniz was from Portugal. He visited
Vijayanagar Kingdom during the rule of Achyut
Devraya (1529–1542). According to Nuniz, a
large number of women were employed in
royal palaces as dancers, domestic servants
and palanquin bearers. Nuniz also provided a
description of the Sati system in society. He
also mentioned excavation of canals and
irrigation facilities.
Q.15) Ans: A
Exp:
Administration of Delhi Sultanate:
● In the Delhi Sultanate, the village was the
smallest unit of administration. The
functioning and administration of the village
remained more or less the same as it had

existed in pre-Turkish times. The main village
functionaries were khut, Muqaddam and
Patwari. They worked in close coordination
with the muqti in the collection of revenue and
in maintaining law and order etc.
● A number of villages formed the Pargana. The
important Pargana officials were Chaudhary,
Amil (revenue collector) and Karkun
(accountant). Villages and pargana were
independent units of administration, and yet
there were interrelated areas.
● In certain cases the province had a local ruler
(Rai, Rana, Rawat, Raja) who helped the
governor in his duties. In such cases the local
rulers were recognised as subordinates of the
Sultan.
Q.16) Ans: D
Exp:
● Alauddin’s measures to control the markets
were one of the most important policy
initiatives. Ala-ud-din was the first Sultan to
pay his soldiers in cash rather than give them a
share of booty. As the soldiers were paid less,
the prices had to be monitored and controlled.
● Since Alauddin wanted to maintain a large
army, he, therefore, lowered and fixed the
price of the commodities of daily use. To
control the prices, Alauddin set up three
different markets for different commodities in
Delhi.
● These markets were the grain market (Mandi),
cloth market (Sarai Adl), and the market for
horses, slaves, cattle, etc. To ensure
implementation, Alauddin appointed a
superintendent (Shahna-i-Mandi) who was
assisted by an intelligence officer.
62
● Control of prices of horses was very important
for the Sultan because without the supply of
good horses at reasonable prices to the army,
the efficiency of the army could not be
ensured. Low prices in the horse market were
ensured by putting a stop to the purchase of
horses by horse dealers and brokers (dalals) in
the Delhi market.
Q.17) Ans: C
Exp:
● Statement 1 is correct: Delhi Sultanate was
formally an Islamic State. Qazis headed
various posts in the Justice Department under
the Sultanate. The head Qazi headed the
Department of Justice. The qazis dispensed
civil law based on Muslim Law (Sharia). The
Hindus were governed by their own personal
laws which were dispensed by the Panchayats
and Guilds in the villages and by leaders of the
various castes.
● Statement 2 is correct: Criminal Law was based
on regulations framed for the purpose by the
rulers. The sultans had to supplement the
Muslim Law by framing their own regulations
(zawabit).
Students Note:

Vijayanagara & Bahmini kingdom
Q.1) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect - The Deccan states
(Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golkonda and Bidar,
except Berar) formed a confederacy and
inflicted a crushing blow on the Vijayanagar
armies at Bannihatti in the battle of Talaikotta
in c.1565 CE. This battle is also known as
Rakshasa Thangadi. Rama Raya was
imprisoned and executed and the city of
Vijayanagar was destroyed.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - Muskets, a superior
military technology, were used for the first
time by Portuguese and they were able to
expand their territory in India in the reign of
Vijayanagara Kingdom.
 Statement 3 is correct. Foreign traveller Abdur
Razaqq noted that Vijayanagara Kingdom
fortified not only the city but also the
agricultural hinterland and forests for
protecting the agricultural belts.
Q.2) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: Vijayanagar Kingdom
was founded by Harihara and Bukka In the year
1336 A.D. Harihara and Bukka were
feudatories under the Kakatiya of
Warangal.Later they became ministers in the
court of Kampili in modern day
karnataka. They found a new city on the South
Bank of Tungabhadra river which was called
Vijayanagar thus laying the foundation of the
new empire. The Tughlaq dynasty was founded
by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who ruled over the
Delhi sultanate in medieval India.His reign
started in 1320 in Delhi when Ghiyasuddin
Tughlaq overthrew Khilji dynasty.
 Statement 2 is correct: The greatest of the
Vijayanagara rulers,
Krishnadevaraya belonged to the Tuluva
63
Dynasty. He was a person of high intellectual
quality who ruled from 1509 to 1529 A.D.
Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle
of Panipat and established Mughal dynasty in
1526 A.D. It lasted till the establishment of
British rule in India. Therefore Babur was the
contemporary of Krishna Deva Raya.
Q.3) Answer: B
 Option B is correct - According to to the
accounts of foreign Travellers the Vijayanagar
Empire was one of the wealthiest parts of the
world at a time there were numerous
industries and they were organised into guilds
Vijayanagar was also a great centre of trade
and there were a number of sea ports on the
Malabar Coast the chief being Cannanore. The
chief items of exports were cotton and silk
clothes, spices,rice, iron, saltpeter and sugar.
The imports consisted of horses, pearls,
copper, Coral, Mercury, China silk and velvet
clothes.
Q.4) Answer: D
 Pair 1 is correct: Madhura Vijayam meaning
"The Victory of Madurai", is a 14th-century C.E
Sanskrit poem written by the poet Gangadevi.
It chronicles the life of Kumara Kampana. The
poem describes Kumara Kampana’s invasion
and conquest of the Madurai Sultanate.Ganga
Devi was the wife of Kumar kampana.
 Pair 2 is correct: Allasani Peddana was a
famous poet and was ranked as the foremost
of the Ashtadiggajas in the court of Krishna
Deva Raya. He has authored Manucharitra. The
theme for his Manu Charitra is a short story
from Markandeya Purana.
 Pair 3 is correct: Krishna Deva Raya was a great
scholar of Sanskrit and Telugu language. He has
written a book Amuktamalyada in Telugu. This
is a work on Polity.In his work Krishnadevaraya
had mentioned that a King should rule with
great care and should attend to the work of
protecting the good and punishing the wicked.
He also suggested the king to levy taxes from

his people moderately.
Q.5) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct: The rulers of the
Vijayanagara Empire were great patrons of art
and architecture. Under them the architectural
style started to be influenced by Indo-Islamic
style of Bijapur which was reflected in temples
of that period.The walls of the temples were
highly decorated with geometrical patterns.
Beautiful carvings were also made on them.
 Statement 2 is correct: Gopuram is a
monumental entrance tower, usually ornate,
at the entrance of a temple in the Dravidian
architecture.Gopurams were previously
present on the front side. The Vijaynagar
architecture had a characteristic feature of
having Gopurams on all sides of the Temple.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Shrines in the shape
of intricately shaped designs were a feature of
Hoysala art. In hoysala art multiple shrines
were built around the central pillared hall. This
was called stellate plan.The chief
characteristics of the Vijayanagara
architecture were the construction of tall Raya
Gopurams or gateways and the
Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars in the
temple premises.
Q.6) Ans: A
Exp:
 Statement 1 and 2 are correct: The two
brothers Harihara and Bukka laid the
foundation of Vijayanagara kingdom in about
1336. Initially the capital was in or near about
Anegondi on the north bank of the
Tungabhadra river. But later it was shifted to
the Hoysala town Hosapattana (near Hampi)
on the south bank. The capital was expanded
and renamed Vijayanagara, the city of Victory.
Vijayanagara rulers adopted the emblem of
the Chalukyas, the boar, or varahaas their
royal insignia.
64
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Vijayanagar
kingdom was successively ruled by four
dynasties over a period of more than three
hundred years: the Sangama dynasty (1336–
1485), the Saluva dynasty (1485–1505), the
Tuluva dynasty (1505–1570) and the Aravidu
dynasty (1570–1650).
Q.7) Ans: A
Exp:
 Among those who exercised power in the
empire were military chiefs who usually
controlled forts and had armed supporters.
These chiefs often moved from one area to
another, and in many cases were accompanied
by peasants looking for fertile land on which to
settle. These chiefs were known as Nayaks
and they usually spoke Telugu or Kannada.
 Statement 1 is correct: Nayakas collected
taxes and other dues from peasants,
craftspersons, and traders in the area. They
retained part of the revenue for personal use
and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of
horses and elephants.
 These contingents provided the Vijayanagara
kings with an effective fighting force with
which they brought the entire southern
peninsula under their control. Some of the
revenue was also used for the maintenance of
temples and irrigation works.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The amara-nayakas
sent tribute to the king annually and
personally, appeared in the royal court with
gifts to express their loyalty. Kings occasionally
asserted their control over them by
transferring them from one place to another.
However, during the course of the
seventeenth century, many of these nayakas
established independent kingdoms.
 This hastened the collapse of the central
imperial structure. The Chola traditions of
village self-government were considerably
weakened under the Vijayanagara ruler. The
growth of hereditary nayakships tended to
curb their freedom and initiatives.
Q.8) Ans: A
Exp:
 Krishnadevaraya is considered the greatest of
the Vijayanagar kings. He built upon the strong
military base laid by his father and elder

brother. He tried to keep the greatness of the
kingdom intact, by undertaking many military
expeditions during much of his reign.
 There are some other reasons for the
celebration of Krishnadevaraya as the greatest
ruler of Vijayanagar. He made very large
donations to many of the greatest Siva and
Vishnu temples of the day- Srisailam, Tirupati,
Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai,
Chidambaram, etc. He added towering
gopuras to many of those temples, which
survive to this day.
 Contemporary foreign visitors like Paes and
Nuniz, who visited Vijayanagar left glowing
tributes to his personality, and the grandeur
and opulence of the city. His court was also
adorned by some great poets like Allasani
Peddana. He himself is considered a great
scholar and is author of the famous poem
Amuktamalyada (the story of Andal).
 But his crowning achievement, as a clever
administrator, was the reorganization of the
Nayak or nayankara system and giving legal
recognition to the system.
Q.9) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is correct - Duarte Barbosa along
with Domingos Paes was a Portuguese
traveller who visited Krishnadeva Raya's
court in the 16th century. Both recorded the
development of city Hampi along with socio
economic strategies of development by
comparing it with Rome.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect - Francois Bernier was
a contemporary of Mughal Empire Shah
Jahan. He was physician to Prince Dara Shikoh
and later was attached to the court of
Aurangzeb . ‘Travels in the Mughal
Empire’ was written by Francois Bernier which
talks about the rules of Dara Shikoh and
Aurangzeb.
65
 Statement 3 is Incorrect - Moroccon
traveller Ibn Batuta visited India during the
reign of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq and not
Iltumish. He wrote a book on accounts of his
visit named - “Rihla ''
Q.10) Answer: C
 Option 1 is correct: Nicolo Conti Was from Italy
who visited Vijayanagar Kingdom during the
reign of Devraya I. Conti refers to the
prevalence of slavery in society. He also
inferred that dancing, music, wrestling,
gambling and cock-fighting were some of the
amusements of the society.
 Option 2 is correct: Paes was from Portugal. He
visited the Vijayanagar Kingdom during the
rule of Krishnadevaraya. Paes mentioned the
beautiful houses of the rich and the large
number of Their household servants. Paes also
refers to the flourishing devadasi system in the
kingdom.
 Option 3 is correct: Fernao Nuniz was also
from Portugal. He also visited Vijayanagar
Kingdom during the rule of Achyut Devraya.
According to Nuniz, a large number of women
were employed in royal palaces as dancers,
domestic servants and palanquin bearers.
Nuniz also provided a description of the Sati
system in society. He also mentioned
excavation of canals and irrigation facilities.
 Option 4 is correct: Abdur Razzaq was from
Persia. He visited Vijayanagar Kingdom during
the reign of Devraya II. He had elaborated
about the magnificence of cities. He also
mentioned that the country was fairly
cultivated and very fertile. He also mentioned
that there were a heavy number of soldiers in
the empire.
Q.11) Ans: A
Exp:
● Rama Raya (died 23 January 1565 CE), known
as "Aliya" (son-in-law in Kannada) was a
statesman of the Vijayanagara Empire, the
son-in-law of Emperor Krishna Deva Raya and
the progenitor of the Aravidu dynasty of
Vijayanagar Empire, the fourth and last
dynasty of the empire.
 66

● As regent, he was the de facto ruler of the
empire from 1542 to 1565, although legally the
emperor during this period was Sadasiva Raya,
who was merely a puppet ruler.
● Rama Raya was killed at the Battle of Talikota,
after which the Vijayanagara Empire got
fragmented into several semi-independent
principalities paying only nominal allegiance to
the empire.
Q.12) Ans: B
Exp:
● The chronological order of the major Dynasties
which ruled the Vijayanagara Empire is
Sangma, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu. The
Vijayanagar Empire was established in 1336 AD
was founded by the rulers namely Harihara I
and his brother Bukka Raya I.
● The Sangma dynasty was succeeded by the
Saluva dynasty which was the second dynasty
to rule the Vijaynagar Empire as well as almost
the whole of South India from 1485 AD to
1505 AD.
● The Saluva dynasty was succeeded by the
Tuluva Dynasty which was the third dynasty
that ruled the Vijayanagar Empire from 1491
AD to 1570 AD and the most famous king of
the Vijayanagar empire, Krishna Deva Raya
belonged to this dynasty.
● The Aravidu Dynasty was the fourth and last
Hindu dynasty to rule the Vijayanagar kingdom
in South India due to the reason that although
the empire continued to exist till 1646 AD, it
lost its importance in 1565 AD after a key
military defeat (The battle of Talikota) by the
Deccan Sultanates.
pulse legumes grew in semi-arid regions, while
sugarcane, rice, and wheat thrived in rainy
areas. Betel leaves, areca (for chewing), and
coconut were the principal cash crops, and
large-scale cotton production supplied the
weaving centers of the empire's vibrant textile
industry.
● According to Abdur Razzak, much of the
empire was fertile and well cultivated. Most of
the growers were tenant farmers and were
given the right of part ownership of the land
over time. Tax policies encouraging needed
produce made distinctions between land use
to determine tax levies.
● For example, the daily market availability of
rose petals was important for perfumers, so
cultivation of roses received a lower tax
assessment. Salt production and the
manufacture of salt pans were controlled by
similar means. The making of ghee (clarified
butter), which was sold as an oil for human
consumption and as a fuel for lighting lamps,
was profitable.
● Exports to China intensified and included
cotton, spices, jewels, semi-precious stones,
ivory, rhino horn, ebony, amber, coral, and
aromatic products such as perfumes.
Students Note:

Q.13) Ans: D
Exp:
● The Vijayanagara Empire was based in the
Deccan Plateau region in South India. The
economy of the empire was largely dependent
on agriculture. Sorghum (jowar), cotton, and

Mughal Empire, Rise of Marathas
Q.1) Answer: C
 Akbar made some experiments in the land
revenue administration with the help of Raja
Todar Mal. The land revenue system of Akbar
was called Zabti or Bandobast system.
 It was further improved by Raja Todar Mal and
came to be known as the Dahsala System.
Under it revenue was fixed on the average
yield of land assessed on the basis of the past
ten years. Payment of revenue was made
generally in cash.
The land was also divided into four categories
– Polaj (cultivated every year), Parauti (once in
two years), Chachar (once in three or four
years) and Banjar (once in five or more years).
Q.2) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Correct : The word ‘Peshwa’
probably originated in Persian, meaning
‘foremost’, and was introduced in Deccan by
the Muslim rulers. Duties of a Peshwa
were equal to that of a Prime Minister. The
office of Peshwa existed from 1640 - 1818 CE.
Sonopant Dabir (c.1640–1652 CE) was the First
unofficial Peshwa.
 Statement 2 is Incorrect : Ramchandra Pant
Amatya (c.1689–1708 CE) was a Peshwa under
Rajaram. He wrote Adnyapatra, in which he
explained different techniques of war,
maintenance of forts, and administration.
Q.3) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Alam khan was the
uncle of Ibrahim lodi who invited Babur to
invade India.He was pretender of the throne.
The first battle of Panipat took place on April
21,1526. It was fought between Babur and
Ibrahim Lodi. In north India Babur had specific
Military tactics including use of gunpowder,
firearms and field artillery. Though , Gun
Powder was not used for the first time by
Babur- Gunpowder and gunpowder weapons
were transmitted to India through the
Mongol invasions of India.
67
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Risal -i-usaz was the
bunch of letters written by Babur. He also
wrote his autobiography Tuzuk -i- Baburi in
turki. Tuzuk-i-Baburi was also known as
Baburnama.
Q.4) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Sher shah was the
founder of the Sur dynasty. He developed the
Brilliant administrative system. Sher Shah’s
empire was divided into forty seven sarkars.
Chief Shiqdar (law and order) and Chief Munsif
(judge) were the two officers in charge of the
administration in each sarkar. Each sarkar was
divided into several parganas. Shiqdar
(military officer), Amin (land revenue), Fotedar
(treasurer) Karkuns (accountants) were in
charge of the administration of each pargana.
There were also many administrative units
called iqtas.
 Statement 2 is correct: The military
administration was also efficiently reorganized
and Sher Shah borrowed many ideas like the
branding of horses from Alauddin Khalji.
 Statement 3 is correct: The land revenue
administration was well organized under Sher
Shah. Land survey was carefully done. All
cultivable lands were classified into three
classes – good, middle and bad. The state’s
share was one third of the average produce
and it was paid in cash or crop. His revenue
reforms increased the revenue of the state.
Sher Shah introduced new silver coins called
“Dam” and they were in circulation till 1835.

Q.5) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: In 1738-1739, Nadir
Shah descended upon the plains of northern
India. Nadir Shah was attracted to India by the
fabulous wealth for which India was always
famous. Disunity, poor leadership, and mutual
jealousy and distrust resulted in defeat. The
invader inflicted a crushing defeat on the
Mughal army. Inflicted immense damage on
the Mughal Empire.Caused an irreparable loss
of prestige and exposed the hidden weakness
of the Empire to the Maratha sardars and the
foreign trading companies. The Emperor
Muhammad Shah was taken prisoner.
 Statement 2 is correct: Due to successful
invasion by Nadir shah ,Invader took
possession of the royal treasury and other
royal property of the Mughal Empire and
plundered the rich of Delhi. India lost its
famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and the jewel-
studded Peacock Throne of Shahjahan.
Q.6) Ans: C
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Aurangazeb was a
staunch and orthodox Muslim in his personal
life. He created a separate department to
enforce moral codes under a high-powered
officer called Muhtasib. Drinking was
prohibited by him. Cultivation and use of
bhang and other drugs were banned.
Aurangazeb forbade music in the Mughal
court.
 Statement 2 is correct: Aurangzeb (during
Shah Jahan’s reign), as governor of Deccan,
followed an aggressive Deccan policy. He
invaded Bijapur and Golconda to contain the
spread of the Marathas. In Bijapur he defeated
Sikandar Shah and annexed Bijapur. In the
case of Golconda, he eliminated the Kutb Shahi
dynasty and annexed the Golconda also. But
68
the destruction of the Deccan kingdoms was a
political blunder as it removed the barrier
between Mughals and Marathas and so there
was a direct confrontation between them.
Deccan campaigns exhausted the Mughal
treasury.
Q.7) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Mughal painting is a
particular style of South Asian painting, which
is generally confined to miniatures, and
emerged from Persian painting. Jahagir
encouraged paintings depicting events of his
own life, individual portraits, and studies of
birds, flowers and animals, scenes of hunting,
battles and royal courts. He was deeply
influenced by European paintings. He
employed a number of painters like Abul
Hasan, Bishan Das, Madhu, Anant, Manohar,
Govardhan and Ustad Mansur. The
Jahangirnama, written during his lifetime,
which is an autobiographical account of
Jahangir's reign, has several paintings,
including some unusual subjects such as the
union of a saint with a tigress, and fights
between spiders.
 Statement 2 is correct: Several new forms of
music such as Tarana, Dadra and Ghazal came
into existence during mughal era.Tabla and
sitar became popular during this period. Akbar
patronized Tansen of Gwalior. Tansen
composed many ragas. Tansen was a
prominent Hindustani classical music
composer, musician and vocalist. He was a
disciple of Swami Haridas.
Q.8) Answer: C
 Pair 1 is Incorrect - Al- Beruni was a Persian
Scholar and polymath of the 11th century.
He accompanied Mahmud in his conquests to
South Asia. His book Tahqiq-i-hind is a work
related to Indian Philosophy and religion. Fa-

Hien wrote a book called Records of Buddhist
Kingdoms.
 Pair 2 is correct - Huen Tsang or
Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist Traveler.
The title of his work is “Journey to the
West” or Si-yu-ki or ‘The Records of the
Western World’
 Pair 3 is correct - Francois Bernier was a
French physician who visited India during the
reign of Shah Jahan. He was a physician to
Prince Dara Shikoh and later was attached to
the court of Aurangzeb. Francois Bernier wrote
“Travels in the Mughal Empire’ describing the
rules of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb.
 Pair 4 is Incorrect - Al- masudi was Arab
historian sometimes referred to
as “Herodotus of Arabs” who wrote several
texts on history and philosophy such as Muruj-
al-Zahab explaining his journey.
Q.9) Ans: A
Exp:
Chauth and sardeshmukhi were the taxes
collected in the Maratha kingdom:
1. The revenue system of Shivaji was based on
that of Malik Amber of Ahmednagar.
2. Lands were measured by using the measuring
rod called kathi.
3. Lands were also classified into three categories
– paddy fields, garden lands and hilly tracks.
4. He reduced the powers of the existing
deshmukh and kulkarnis.
5. He appointed his own revenue officials called
karkuns.
6. Chauth was one fourth of the land revenue
paid to the Marathas in order to avoid the
Maratha raids.
69
7. Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of ten
percent on those lands which the Marathas
claimed hereditary rights.
Q.10) Ans: A
Exp:
● Pair 1 is correct: Ibrahim Lodi (1517 -
1526) succeeded Sikandar Lodi. He was
arrogant. He insulted his nobles openly in court
and humiliated them and those who revolted
were put to death. Daulat Khan Lodi, the
governor of Lahore was insulted and
discontent emerged between them. Greatly
displeased by the arrogance of Ibrahim, Daulat
Khan Lodi along with Ibrahim’s uncle, Alam
khan, plotted with Babur, the king of Kabul to
invade India. Babur marched against Delhi and
● Pair 2 is incorrect: Akbar One of the greatest
monarchs of India Succeeded the throne after
his father Humayun’s death. Afghan’s
commander-in-Chief, Hemu, had sieged Delhi
and so Akbar’s position was dangerous. In the
2nd Battle of Panipat in 1556, Hemu was
almost on the point of victory. But an arrow
pierced his eye and he became unconscious.
His army fled thinking that the king had died.
Thus, the battle was won by Akbar.
● Pair 3 is incorrect: Major conflict had started
between Ahmad Shah Abdali and Maratha for
control of North India in 1761. Najib-ud-
daulah of Rohilkhand and Shuja-ud-daulah of
Awadh had suffered at the hands of the
Maratha sardars. Both had made alliance with
Ahmad Shah Abdali Peshwa had dispatched a
powerful army under the nominal command of
his son Vishwas Rao, and actual command in
hands of his cousin Sadashiv Rao Bhau to fight
with Ahmad Shah. European style infantry and
artillery under command of Ibrahim khan Gardi
was part of the force. In battle, Marathas were
defeated . This battle proved very costly to
Marathas as they lost the cream of their army.
It gave an opportunity to English to consolidate
itself in Bengal and South India . The way was
cleared for the rise of British power.
Students Note:

Religious & Cultural Development in India Bhakti Sufi movements etc
Q.1) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct - In the later
period, Akbar, the Mughal
emperor, appreciated Sufi doctrines which
shaped his religious outlook and religious
policies. Akbar’s Sulh-i kul or “universal peace’’
idea of tolerance and religion called Din Ilahi or
Divine Faith were influenced by Sufism.
 Statement 2 is incorrect - Sufism was a liberal
reform movement within Islam. Sufism
stressed the elements of love and devotion as
effective means of the realisation of God. Love
of God meant love of humanity and so the Sufis
believed service to humanity was tantamount
to service to God.
 Statement 3 is correct - According to them one
must have the guidance of a pir or guru,
without which spiritual development is
impossible. Other ideas emphasised by Sufism
are meditation, good actions, repentance for
sins, performance of prayers and pilgrimages,
fasting, charity and suppression of passions by
ascetic practices.
Extra Edge by PWOnlyIAS
 Sufism sprang from the doctrine of Wahadut-
ul-wajud (unity of being) propounded by Ibn-
ul-Arabi [1165-1240AD]. It had its origin in
Persia and spread into India in the eleventh
century.
 Sufi orders are broadly divided in two : Ba-sara
– Those followed Islamic law & Be-shara- who
did follow Islamic law.
 Sufism was divided into 12 orders (Silsila) and
each under a mystic Sufi saint of which 4 most
popular ones were Chistis, Suhrawardis,
Qadiriyahs and Naqshbandis.
70
Q.2) Answer: C
Tevaram
 It is a collection of the first seven volumes of
Tirumurai - a saiva narrative of epic and
puranic heroes, as well as a religious
biographies of early Saiva saints set in
devotional poetry.
 It contains the works of three Tamil Shaiva
poets (Nayanars) - Appar, Sambandar, and
Sundarar. Appar and Sambandar lived around
the 7th century and Sundarar lived in the 8th
century.
 Information about these trio comes mainly
from the Periya Puranam, the 11th century
Tamil book on the Nayanars that is the last
volume (12th) of the Tirumurai.
 The first two poets are also mentioned in the
third poet Sundarar's Tiruttondartokai.
 Along with the Tevaram, Tiruvacakam is an
important source for understanding the Saiva
Bhakti movement in early medieval South
India.
Subramaniya Bharathiyar
 Subramaniya Bharathiyar was a poet, freedom
fighter and social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
He was born 11th December 1882 and died on
11th September 1921.
 He began his career as a journalist and as
a sub-editor in “Swadesamitran” in
November 1904. His songs on nationalism and
freedom of India appealed to the masses to
support the Indian Independence Movement
in Tamil Nadu.
 He also outlined his vision for a free India. He
published the sensational “Sudesa
Geethangal” in 1908.
 His important poems - Kannan Pattu, Nilavum
Vanminum Katrum, Panchali Sabatam and

Kuyil Pattu etc.
Q.3) Answer: B
 Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Nalayira
Divyaprabandham is a composition by Alvar
saints of Tamil Nadu and is described as Tamil
Veda. The Alvar saints are known for their
affiliation to the Sri Vaishnava tradition of
Hinduism.
 Pair 2 is correctly matched: Andal was a
woman Alvar (devotee of Vishnu) whose
compositions were widely sung in Tamil Nadu.
Andal, Nachiyar and Kothai are the only female
Alvar among the 12 Alvar saints of South India.
Andal is credited with the great Tamil works,
Thiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi, which are
still recited by devotees during the winter
festival season of Margazhi.
 Pair 3 is correctly matched: Tevaram is a
collection of the first seven volumes of
Tirumurai - a saiva narrative of epic and
puranic heroes, as well as a religious
biographies of early Saiva saints set in
devotional poetry. It contains the works
of three Tamil Shaiva poets (Nayanars)
- Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar. Appar and
Sambandar lived around the 7th century and
Sundarar lived in the 8th century.
Q.4) Answer: D
 Statement 1 and 2 are correct: Malik
Muhammad Jaisi was a Sufi poet during Bhakti
Movement. He wrote the famous epic
Padmavat in Awadhi language. The poem
narrates that a princess of unparalleled beauty
called Padmini lived in the kingdom of
Simhaladvipa, now Sri Lanka. Enamoured by
her beauty, King Ratansen of Chittor was
engulfed with the passion to acquire her and
overcame a large number of adventurous
obstacles to make her his queen.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: He was not a
contemporary of AlauddinKhilji because
71
Padmavat was written around 1540 and
AlauddinKhilji died in 1316. According to the
poem, Padmavati was born in 1540 which is
224 years after Khalji’s death as per historical
records.
 Khalji defeated the Rana of Chittor in 1303 and
died in 1316, but no one by the name Padmini
or Padmavati existed then. There are just two
historical facts relevant to the story - i) Khalji’s
attack on Chittor, ii) Ratan Sen’s defeat.
Q.5) Answer: B
 The term Bhakti literally means devotion or
passionate love for God. It was a religious
reform movement during medieval times
which emphasized single-minded intense
devotion to God. It was initiated by Shaiva
Nayanars & Vaishnavite Alwars in south India,
later spread to all regions. It was based on the
following features:
o Supported monotheism.
o Guru as preceptors and guides.
o Unity of God or one God though
known by different names.
o Condemnation of rituals, ceremonies
and blind faith.
o Rejection of idol worship.
o Surrender of oneself to God.
o Emphasized both Nirguna and Saguna
bhakti.
o Salvation through Bhakti.
o Open-mindedness about religious
matters.
o Rejected castes distinctions & believed
in equality of all humans.
o Rebelled against the upper caste’s
domination and the Sanskrit language.
o Use of local or regional languages for
Preaching.
o Creation of literature in the local
language.
Q.6) Answer: D
 Chaitanya (1436- 1533) was responsible for
the popularity of Vaishnavism in Bengal
through his kirtanas, he spread the message
that ragamarga or the path of spontaneous
love was best for salvation. He believed in the
bhedabheda, i.e. dualistic non- dualism.

 Surdas (1483- 1533) was the disciple of
Vallabhacharya of south India, he popularised
the Krishna cult in U.P by singing songs
glorifying Krishna’s childhood. He was the
author of Sur Sagara, Sur Saraswati, etc.
 Mirabai (1498-1569) was a great devotee of
Krishna and popularised his cult in Rajasthan
through her songs.
 Sankaradeva (1463- 1568) a contemporary of
Chaitanya, he spread Vaishnava bhakti in
Assam.
 Tulsidas (1532-1623) was a worshipper of
Rama and composed the famous
Ramcharitmanas in Hindi, explaining in detail
the various facets of Hindu dharma.
Q.7) Answer: A
 Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct - Nirguna
saints believed in the formless God. Kabir,
Nanak, Raidas, Dhanna, Sena, Pipa, Dadu were
nirguna saints. They were against the caste
system and attacked the privileges of the
brahmins and were liberal in social matters.
 They called for pure and intense devotion to
God for attaining salvation and spoke out
against the social evils and called for an end to
formalities of religion such as fasts, ceremonies
and rituals.
 Statement 2 is incorrect - It's poetry
is Gyanshrayi which has its roots in knowledge.
Whereas, saguna poetry is known as
premashrayi which has its roots in love.
Q.8) Ans: D
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Sufism(Socio-religious
movement) or mysticism emerged in the 8th
century. Fundamental to sufism is God, Man
and the relation between them that is Love.
They believe that from man emerged the
theories of ruh (soul), qurbat (divine proximity)
and hulul (infusion of the divine spirit). It had
72
evolved into a well developed movement by
the 11th century. The khanqah (the hospice)
was the centre of activities of the various sufis
orders. The khanqah was led by a shaikh, pir or
murshid (teacher) who lived with his murids
(disciples). In the 10th century Sufism spread
across important regions of the Islamic empire.
Iran, Khurasan, Transoxiana, Egypt, Syria and
Baghdad were important Sufi centers.The Sufi
movement in India commenced in the 11th
century A.D.
 Statement 2 is correct: ‘Sufism’ is a term used
to refer to mystical religious ideas in Islam.
Sufis, stress on the importance of traversing
the path of the Sufi pir enabling one to
establish a direct communion with the
divine.The Sufis were very liberal in their
religious outlook. They preached spirituality
through music and doctrines that professed
union with God.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Sufis believed in
the essential unity of all religions.Their sense of
piety, tolerance, sympathy, concept of equality
and friendly attitude attracted many Hindus,
mostly from lower classes, to Islam. Sufi saints
such as Moinuddin Chisti, Nizamuddin Auliya,
Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar were the pioneer
sufïs who are still loved, respected and
honoured in India.The Sufis emphasized
respect for all human beings.
Q.9) Ans: C
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The Bhakti
Movement was a reform movement in
Hinduism. It occupies a significant position in
bringing about harmony and normal
relationships between the Hindus and
Muslims. The development of the Bhakti cult
first began in South India in the 7th-8th century
in order to bridge the gulf between the Shaivas
and the Vaishnavas. It was initiated by Shaiva
Nayanars & Vaishnavite Alwars in south India,
later spread to all regions.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Bhakti Saints and
teachers came from a variety of backgrounds,
but the majority were from the lower castes.
They emphasize the importance of tolerance

among humanity and religions. It gained
popularity solely because it attacked the caste
structure and the dominance of Brahamanas.
The Bhakti Movement arose as a result of
religious and worship object rigidity.
 Statement 3 is correct: Bhakti movement
preached using the local languages so that the
message reached the masses.The Bhakti saints
did their entire teaching in the local vernacular
language to make it comprehensible even to
simple minds.This led to the development of
the local and the vernacular language and
regional literature. Regional languages such as
Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili and Oriya became
extremely popular among masses.
Q.10) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Both Sufi and Bhakti
movements emphasised on the feeling of
universal brotherhood and religious tolerance.
As a result, an environment of mutual love and
respect was created among different sections
of society.The Bhakti and Sufi movements
showed the people that the existence of God
could be experienced under the guidance of a
guru. Priests or ulemas are not required to feel
the presence of God. Both the Bhakti and the
Sufi movement made their focus on the idea
that God is one and one should do prayers and
meditation to contact god.Both preached love
to God as their central principle.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Sufism movement
was largely followed by Muslims while Bhakti
movement was mostly followed by Hindus.
Sufism believe in the conversion of Hindu into
Islam.Bhakti movement didn't believe in
religion conversion. The Bhakti movement has
originated in eighth-century South India. The
Origins of Sufism can be traced to the early
days of Islam in seventh-century Arabian
Peninsula. The Sufism reached India in the 12th
century A.D. Its influence grew considerably
during the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries. In India, Chisti and Suhrawardi Silsila
were most prominent.
 Statement 3 is correct: The Bhakti and Sufi
saints preached their teachings in the local
73
language. This led to the development of the
local and vernacular languages.The Bhakti and
the Sufi saints criticised the existence of rituals
in Indian society. Both these movements
rejected the rigid caste system.
Q.11) Ans: B
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Ekasarana Dharma
(Shelter-in-One religion) is a neo-Vaishnavite
monolithic religion propagated by Sankardeva
in the 15th-16th century in the Indian state of
Assam. The Neo- Vaishnavism Philosophy was
enlightenment of the human conscience
through universal love. People of the so called
untouchables or lower caste also came in
contact with the highest castes in Assamese
villages and they could take part in all functions
of the villages.He was a devotee of 'Ekasarana'
(One God) in the guise of Krishna.
 Statement 2 is correct: He was well-known for
establishing and reorganizing a variety of
traditional art forms such as Ankia Nat,
Bhaona, Borgeet, and Sattriya dance. He was
instrumental in popularizing Vaishnavism in
Assam.He also called Krishna by several names,
including Hari, Narayan, and Rama.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Shankaradeva
Spread the Bhakti cult in Assam.He wrote in
Assamese and Brajavali (mixture of Maithili
and Assamese). His most famous work is
“Kirtana Ghosha”, written in a simple language
understood by the masses.
Q.12) Ans: C
Exp:
 Madhvacharya was the third of the trinity of
philosophers who influenced Indian thoughts
after the ages of the Vedas and Puranas (the
other two being Shankaracharya and
Ramanujacharya). He propounded the
philosophy of Dwaita or Dualism.The basic
tenet of Dvaita philosophy is the refutation of
the Mayavada of Sri Shankara.

Dvaitha emphasizes that the world is real and
not just an illusion. He was a critic of Adi
Shankara's Advaita Vedanta and Ramanuja's
Vishishtadvaita Vedanta teachings. He wrote
various texts that detailed his philosophy
which he called Tattvavada, or as it is more
popularly known, Dvaita. Some of his works
were the Gita Bhashya, Brahma Sutra Bhashya,
Anu Bhashya, Karma Nirnaya, and Vishnu
Tattva Nirnaya.According to him, salvation is
only possible through God's grace. The Dvaita
School influenced Vaishnavism, the Bhakti
movement in mediaeval India, and has been
one of the three influential Vedānta
philosophies, along with Advaita Vedanta and
Vishishtadvaita Vedanta.
Q.13) Ans: A
Exp:
 Statement 1 is correct: Ajivika school was
founded by Makkhali Gosala in 5th century BC.
The school is based on the Niyati (Fate)
doctrine of absolute determinism. It believes
that there is no free will of humans and
whatever has happened, is happening and will
happen is completely predetermined or pre-
decided and is based on cosmic principles or
Universal. Hence there was no use and impact
of Karma. It is rooted in the theory of atoms
and believes that everything is a component of
atoms and the various qualities emerge from
the aggregates of atoms which are
predetermined.
 Statement 2 is correct: Ajivikas led a very
simple ascetic life even without clothes and
any material possession. They strongly
opposed Buddhism and Jainism and were
atheists. They did not believe in the philosophy
of Karma unlike Jainism and Buddhism.
74
 They consider Karma a fallacy and also rejected
the authority of Vedas like Buddhism
andJainism did. However, they believed in the
existence of soul (atman) in every living being
like Jainism. But they believed existence of soul
inmaterial form whereas Jainism propounds
formless soul.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The ajnana sect
believed in radical skepticism. The Ajnana
school believed that it is impossible to attain
knowledge about nature. Even if it is possible,
it is useless for attaining salvation and
emancipation of the soul. This school was a
strong rival of Jainism and Buddhism school of
thoughts.They specialised in refutation or
disproof and were considered ignorant.They
believed that “Ignorance is Best ''.
Q.14) Answer: C
 Option A is correct: The Harappan script
was pictographic and logosyllabic (each
symbol stood for a word/syllable). Harappan
writing was boustrophedon, that is to
say, right to left and left to right in alternate
lines. The Harappan script has not been
deciphered so far.
 Option B is correct: According to Buddhist
texts, Anguttara Nikaya (the land between
Himalayas and Narmada) was divided into 16
independent states (Mahajanapadas)
– Anga, Magadh, Kasi, Vatsa, Kosala,
Saurasena, Panchala, Kuru, Matsya, Chedi,
Avanti, Gandhar, Kamboj, Asmaka, Vajji and
Malla.
 Option C is incorrect:
 Visakhadatta’s Mudrarakshasha is a political
drama that narrates the ascent of king
Chandragupta Maurya to power.
 Visakhadatta’s Devichandraguptam tells us
about Ramagupta’s defeat by a Saka ruler
(Basana), his accession to the throne and
his marriage to Dhruvadevi (his brother’s
widow).
Q.15) Answer: C
 Statement 1 is correct: The Mathura school of
art was developed indigenously and was
devoid of external influence. It was built

using red sandstone under the patronage
of Kushana rulers. It was influenced by all
three religions, Buddhism, Jainism, and
Hinduism. It depicts the Buddha in a smiling
state. It is found in the areas around Mathura,
Kankalitila, Sonak.
 Statement 2 is correct: The Indo-greek or
the Gandhara school of art had indo-greek
influence and was not purely indigenous. It
used grey sandstone and was also patronized
by the Kushana rulers. It was mainly Buddhist
and shows the spiritual mood of Buddha. It
developed in the areas around present day
Kandhar.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Amaravati
school of art was indigenously developed and
mainly focused on Buddhism. It used white
marbles and was patronized by
the Satavahana rulers. It was developed in the
lower valleys of Krishna-Godavari around
Amravati and Nagarjunakonda.
Q.16) Answer: B
 Pair 1 is incorrect: Chirand is an archaeological
site in Bihar. It is situated on the northern bank
of the river Ganga. It is the first known site of
the Neolithic age. It has a large prehistoric
mound containing various artifacts. The
mound is known for its continuous
archaeological record from the Neolithic age
(about 2500–1345 BC) to the reign of the Pal
Dynasty, which ruled this place during the pre-
medieval period.
75
 Pair 2 is incorrect: Koldihwa is an archeological
site located in Allahabad on the left bank of the
Belan River. The site contains excavations
of Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Iron age phases.
 Pair 3 is incorrect: The Burzahom
archaeological site is located in the Kashmir
Valley of the Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir. Archaeological excavations have
revealed four phases of cultural significance
between 3000 BC and 1000 BC. Periods I and II
represent the Neolithic era, Period IlI the
Megalithic era, and Period IV relates to the
early Historical Period. It is situated on a high
terrace, which is part of the flow of the river
Jhelum.
 Pair 4 is correct: Gufkral (literally Gulf – cave
Kral – potter) is located in the south Kashmir
district, considered as one of the sites in the
valley which has been dated by archaeologists
to the Neolithic period. It is part of river Jhelum
and falls between two nallahs (streams) on an
extensive deposit of Karewa (elevated table-
land) where people used to live in ancient
times.
Q.17) Answer: A
 The Chahmanas of Shakambari, also known as
the Chauhans of Sambhar, were a dynasty that
ruled the present day parts of Rajasthan during
the 6th to 12th century time period.
 Ajayameru was established by a Chahamana
ruler Ajayaraja I and served as capital until the
12th century. Ajayameru is translated as
invincible hills. It is the modern day Ajmer and
surrounded by Aravalli hills.
 Mankhet, modern day Malkhed is in
Karnataka,situated on the southwest part of
Hyderabad. The city was founded in the 9th
century by the Rashtrakuta ruler
Amoghavarsha I and became the capital of the
dynasty.
 Kanyakubja is the classical name of the
modern day Kannauj city in Uttar Pradesh. It
was also known as Mahodaya during the time
of Gujarat samrat Mihir Bhoja(9th Century AD).
The kanyakubja brahmins who included
Shandilya were held as the three prominent
families originally from Kannauj. Kanyakubja
was the centre of the tripartite struggle
between the Pala, Rashtrakuta and Pratihara.

 The Kannadiga dynasty is known as
the Kalyani Chalukya after the name of its
capital at Kalyani, it is today’s Basavakalyan in
the modern Bidar district of the Karnataka
state.
Q.18) Answer: C
In 1205 AD, Ghori while entering India came across
stiff resistance from the Khokar tribe of Punjab
region, but he defeated them. Khokhar tribes were
warrior tribes, good at fighting and in 1206 when
Ghori after his brief stay in India was returning to
Ghanzi was killed by the Khokhars in Dhamyak
district near Jhelum river (Modern day Pakistan).
Q.19) Answer: C
 Firuz Shah Bahmani encouraged the pursuit of
astronomy and built an observatory near
Daulatabad. He paid attention to the ports of
his Kingdom, Chaul and Dabhol, which
attracted trading ships from the Persian Gulf
and the Red Sea.
 Firuz Shah Bahmani was determined to make
Deccan the Cultural centre of India and the
decline of Delhi Sultanate helped him as many
learned people migrated from Delhi to the
Deccan. Further he was also well acquainted
with natural sciences such as botany,
geometry.
 He was also well acquainted with religious
Sciences like commentaries on the Quran. He
was a good calligraphist and a poet and often
composed extempore verses.
Q.20) Answer: B
 Statement 1 is Incorrect : Sher Shah, even
though a pious Muslim, adopted
a tolerant attitude towards other religions. He
employed Hindus in important offices.
o His last campaign was against
Kalinjar (Bundelkhand), in which
he succeeded but died from an accidental
explosion of gunpowder in c.1545 CE
 Statement 2 is Correct : The system of tri-
metalism which came to characterise Mughal
coinage was largely the creation, not of the
Mughals but of Sher Shah Suri (1540 to 1545
AD), an Afghan, who ruled for a brief time in
Delhi. Sher Shah issued a coin of silver which
was termed the Rupiya. This weighed 178
76
grains and was the precursor of the modern
rupee. It remained largely unchanged till the
early 20thCentury. Together with the silver
Rupiya were issued gold coins called
the Mohur weighing 169 grains and copper
coins called Dam.
 Statement 3 is Incorrect : Sher shah suri was a
patron of art and architecture. He built many
forts and mosques among other architecture.
o He built the Rohtas Fort (now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in Pakistan)
o He built Many structures in Rohtasgarh
fort in Bihar.
Q.21) Answer: A
 Statement 1 is Correct : Under the
administration of Sher Shah Suri, the
government was highly centralised and
consisted of several departments. There were
also many administrative units
called iqtas. The king was assisted by four
important ministers:
o Diwan-i- Wizarat – Also called Wazir, in
charge of Revenue and Finance.
o Diwan-i-Ariz – In charge of the Army.
o Diwan-i-Rasalat – Foreign Minister
o Diwan-i-Insha – Minister for
Communications.
 Statement 2 is Correct : He improved the land
revenue system by adopting Zabti-i-har-
sal (land assessment every year) and classified
all cultivable lands into three heads (good,
middle, bad).
 Statement 3 is Incorrect : The state’s share
was one third of the average produce and it
was paid in cash or crop. Land was measured
using Sikandari gaz (32 points). Sher Shah
introduced two documents:
o Patta (amount each peasant had to pay)
o Qabuliyat (Deed of agreement).
Sher Shah also introduced new copper coins
called Dam and it is interesting to note that they
were in circulation till c.1835 CE. He was also the
first ruler to introduce silver Rupaiya (1 Rupayia =
64 dams) and gold coin (Ashrafi/Mohur)
Q.22) Ans: C
Exp:
 77

 Statement 1 is correct: The Kanheri Caves are
a group of caves and rock-cut monuments
separated into a massive basalt outcrop in the
forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on
the former island of Salsette in the western
outskirts of Mumbai. The Kanheri caves
comprise further than 110 different rock-cut
monolithic excavations and is one of the
largest single excavations in the country.
 Statement 3 is correct: Kanheri was
mentioned in the travelogues of foreign
travellers. The earliest reference of Kanheri is
ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during
399-411 CE.
Students Note:

 Statement 2 is incorrect: The Kanheri cave

excavations were primarily accepted during
the Hinayana phase of Buddhism but also has
several exemplification of the Mahayana
stylistic architecture and few printings of the
Vajrayana order.
 The name Kanheri is derived from ‘Kanhagiri’
in Prakrit and occurs in the Nasik inscription of
the Satavahana ruler Vasisthiputra Pulumavi.
They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief
carvings, paintings and eulogies, dating from
the first century CE to the 10th century CE.

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