Answer Key & Exp for GS Prelim Test-5 Held on 23 Rd Dec' 2018
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Answer Key & Exp for GS Prelim Test-5 held on 23rd Dec’ 2018 1. Consider the following statements about the Mauryan economy: (1) Slavery was absent during the Mauryan reign but emerged during the time of the Kushanas. (2) The use of currency as a medium of exchange was popular during the Mauryan times. (3) There was remarkable growth of settled agriculture during the Mauryan times. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (c) Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. It is known that the Mauryans owned large farms known as ‘Sita’ which were worked by numerous slaves and hired labourers. Also, Kautilya in his Arthashastra mentioned elaborately about slaves, both men and women. Statement 2 is correct. The use of currency which began in the pre-Mauryan period became a fairly common feature of the Mauryan period. Currency was used to trade goods and the government paid its officers in cash. It is evident from a large number of coins of Mauryan age found at many places like U.P. and Bihar. Statement 3 is correct. Large-scale clearing of land by the State as well as the cultivation of Crown land under the direct supervision of State’s officers led to an unprecedented growth of settled agriculture, especially in the Gangetic valley. Source: Vajiram and Ravi Yellow book- “Ancient India”- Chapter 6, Page 48-49. 2. Consider the following terms used during the Mauryan times: Term Used for 1. Amatyas : Civil servants 2. Sannidhata : Chief Treasury Officer 3. Gudhapurushas : Secret Agents Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Prelim IAS Test Series (2019) – GS Test 5 (23.12.2018) 1 History 1 and Current Affairs (July 2018) Answer: (d) Explanation: Pair 1 is correctly matched. Amatyas were civil servants who filled the highest administrative and judicial appointments. Their qualifications and methods of selection were laid out by Kautilya. Their role and functions were very important as all the government work proceeded from them. Pair 2 is correctly matched. The revenue department was manned by Samharta (in- charge of collection of all revenue) and Sannidhata (Chief Treasury Officer). Pair 3 is correctly matched. The espionage department consisted of Gudhapurushas (secret agents) under the control of Mahamatyapasarpa. Additional Information: Term: Used for: Mantrins Ministers Mahamatyas Civil servants Senapati Head of Military Department Adhyakshas Superintendents Dharmasthiyas Civil Courts Kantakshodhanas Criminal Courts Bandhavgarh Jail Charaka Police lock-up Nagarika City superintendent Source: Vajiram and Ravi Yellow book- “Ancient India”- Chapter 6, Page 47-48 3. Which of the following is not correct with respect to Dhamma? (a) Founded by Ashoka, Dhamma was a new religion based on Buddhism. (b) It lists out a set of principles to be practised by the people. (c) It was considered to be practical and convenient. (d) Some rock edicts mention the features of Dhamma. Answer: (a) Explanation: Prelim IAS Test Series (2019) – GS Test 5 (23.12.2018) 2 History 1 and Current Affairs (July 2018) Ashoka's Dhamma was a code of social ethics, and, by extension, the social and religious order that Ashoka sought to establish in the turbulent society of his time - a society that was mostly Brahmanical. Option (a) is incorrect. Although Buddhism and Hinduism may have influenced it, Ashoka’s dhamma was neither a new religion nor political philosophy. It was a way of life. Option (b) is correct. It provides a code of conduct and a set of principles to be adopted and practised by the people at large. Its concepts were so broad and humanitarian that no cultural group or religious sect could object to its propagation. Option (c) is correct. The code of ethics was both practical and convenient, as well as highly moral. Option (d) is correct. The main features of Dhamma were given on a number of rock edicts. Major Rock Edict I: Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festivities. Major Rock Edict II: Administration to be directed towards social welfare. Major Rock Edict III: Liberality to Brahmins, sramanas. Major Rock Edict IV: Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to relations. Major Rock Edict V: Appointment of dhammamahamattas entrusted with propagation of dhamma. Humane treatment of servants by masters and of prisoners by the government officials. Major Rock Edict VI: Efficient organisation of administration. Major Rock Edict VII: Tolerance among all the sects. Major Rock Edict VIII: Maintenance of constant contact with rural people through the system of dhammayatras. Major Rock Edict IX: Avoiding expensive and meaningless ceremonies and rituals. Major Rock Edict XI: Charity, kinship, dhamma. Major Rock Edict XII: Religious tolerance. Major Rock Edict XlII: Change of heart after Kalinga war and replacement of berighos (sounds of war drums) by dhammaghosha (sound of peace) signifying conquest through dhamma instead of through war. Source: Vajiram and Ravi Yellow book- “Ancient India”- Chapter 6, Page 49-50. 4. Which of the following reasons can be attributed to the rise and success of Magadha among the mahajanpadas? (1) Broad resource base (2) Military machinery (3) Effective bureaucracy Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (d) Prelim IAS Test Series (2019) – GS Test 5 (23.12.2018) 3 History 1 and Current Affairs (July 2018) Explanation: Magadha was situated in south Bihar. Its capital was Rajgriha and later Patliputra. ● Statement 1 is correct - The resource base of Magadha was broad. The land was fertile and agricultural surplus could be produced. Magadha was rich in minerals such as iron from which agricultural tools and also weapons could be produced. ● Statement 2 is correct - The forests around Magadha had many elephants and also sufficient timber to prepare war tools. Magadha had a massive military machine with vast infantry, horses, elephants, chariots and also innovative armaments such as rathamusula and mahasilakantika developed by Ajatashatru. ● Statement 3 is correct - The Nandas streamlined an administrative system with vast bureaucracy which dug canals for expansion of agriculture, promoted trade and commerce and collected taxes adding to financial muscle of Magadha. Additional Information: ● Magadha was inhabited by the Kiratas and Magadhas. Magadha then underwent a racial admixture with the advent of Vedic people. As it was recently Aryanised, it showed more enthusiasm than those kingdoms already under the Aryan influence. Also, Magadha was outside the pale of Vedic culture as a result of which it did not suffer from the disabilities stemming from orthodox Brahmanical culture. Source: Vajiram and Ravi Yellow book- “Modern Indian History”- Chapter 5, Page 35-36. 5. Consider the following statements about the Indian campaign of Alexander: (1) Alexander could not advance beyond Beas as the kingdom of Nandas was known to be very powerful. (2) Alexander’s historians left dated records of his campaign. (3) His campaign facilitated the expansion of the Mauryan Empire in the North- west. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None of the above Answer: (b) Explanation: The Indian campaign of Alexander the Great began in 326 BC. After conquering the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, the Macedonian king, Alexander, launched a campaign into the Indian subcontinent, part of which formed the easternmost territories of the Achaememid Empire following the Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley (6th century BC). The rationale for this campaign is usually said to be Alexander's desire to conquer the entire known world, which the Greeks thought ended in India. Statement 1 is incorrect. Alexander wanted to move further east of the Beas but his war- weary, diseased soldiers, due to hot climate and ten years of continuous campaigns became homesick. So, Alexander was forced to retreat. Though it is true that the Nanda Prelim IAS Test Series (2019) – GS Test 5 (23.12.2018) 4 History 1 and Current Affairs (July 2018) empire beyond Beas was known to be powerful, but it was not the reason why Alexander could not advance. Statement 2 is correct. Alexander’s historians left valuable geographical accounts as well as clearly dated records of his campaign which enables us to build Indian chronology for subsequent events on a definite basis. They also give us important information about the prevalent social and economic conditions like sati system, fine breed of oxen and sale of girls in marketplaces. Statement 3 is correct. Alexander destroyed the power of petty states in the north-west and created a political vacuum which was filled by the expansion of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya. Source: Vajiram and Ravi Yellow book- “Ancient India”- Chapter 5, Page 37. 6. The Pallavas who rose to power after the Satavahanas had an extensive administrative system. In this context consider the following statements: (1) The Pallava State was divided into Kottams. (2) Taxes on manufacturing or industries were the key sources of the State’s revenue. (3) The Village Assemblies provided irrigation facilities to the agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only Answer: (a) Explanation: The Pallava dynasty ruled in southern India whose members originated as indigenous subordinates of the Satavahanas in the Deccan, moved into Andhra, and then to Kanchi (Kanchipuram in modern Tamil Nadu state, India), where they became rulers.