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Ancient & Medieval Indian History Test No: 01 TNPSC AURA TEST NO: 01 www.tnpscaura.com ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY TEST NO: 01 1. In Indian history, the term “Apana” is referred to A. Guilds B. Shopkeepers C. Artisans D. Chief merchant Ans: B Types of Merchants The Garland of Madurai calls the streets broad rivers of people who buy and sell in the market place. The importance of shopkeepers is indicated by the repetition of the term apana in the description of the city of Sakala. Its shops appear as filled with various types of cloth made in Kashi, Kotumbara, and elsewhere. Hence, option (b) is correct. Many artisans and merchants were organized into guilds called sreniandayatana, but how these organizations functioned is indicated neither in the Mahavastunor in the Milinda-Panho. Both merchants and craftsmen were divided into high, low, and middle ranks. The Buddhist texts mention the sresthi, who was the chief merchant of thenigama, and the sarthavaha, the caravan leader who was the head of the corporation of merchants(vanijgramo). It also speaks of nearly half a dozen petty merchants called vanija. They dealt in fruits, roots, cooked food, sugar,bark cloth, sheaves of corn or grass, and bamboo. We also hear of manyshopkeepers in a Tamil text. They sold sweet cakes, scented powder, fetal quids, and flower garlands. These merchants thus met the varied needs of the urban folk including food, clothing, and housing. To them we can add perfumers or all-purpose merchants called gandhika. Various types of oilmen, some of them dealing in perfumed oils, are covered by the term. The term vyavahari, that is, one who transacts business, is also used, but the term vyaparior trader seems tobe missing. The term agrivanija seems to be obscure, but these merchants may have been the predecessors of the agrawalas if we allow for some linguistic change. Whatever may be the meaning of this term, there were certainly wholesale merchants who conducted both internal and external trade. 2. Battle of Hydaspes was fought between 1. Alexander 2. Porus 3. Dhana Nanda 4. Darius I Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 and 4 only D. 1 and 4 only Ans: A Battle of Hydaspes In 327 B.C. Alexander crossed the Hindukush Mountains and spent nearly ten months in fighting with the tribes. He crossed the Indus in February 326 B.C. with the help of the bridge TNPSC AURA TEST NO: 01 www.tnpscaura.com of boats. He was warmly received by Ambhi, the ruler of Taxila. From there Alexander sent a message to Porus to submit. But Porus refused and decided to fight against Alexander. Then Alexander marched from Taxila to the banks of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum). On The other side of the river he saw the vast army of Porus. Hence, option (a) is correct. As there were heavy floods in the river, Alexander was not able to cross it. After a few days, he crossed the river and the famous battle of Hydaspes was fought on the plains of Karri. It was a well-contested battle. Although Porus had a strong army, he lost the battle. Alexander was impressed by the courage and heroism of this Indian prince, treated him generously and reinstated him on his throne. 3. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? A. Sakiyas – Kapilvastu B. Koliyas – Ramagrama C. Kalamas – Allakappa D. Mallas – Kusinagara Ans: C Sakyas of Kapilavastu , republican clan with the capital at Kapilavattu, was a vassal of King Prasenjit of Kosala It was a great center of Buddhism. Koliyas, a republican clan had 2 chief settlements in Ramagama and Devadaha. Buddha was related to the Koliyans through his mother and wife. After the demise of the Buddha, the Koliyans obtained a share of his relics and erected a stupa over it. Mallas had 2 confederacies; one at Kusinara and the other at Pava. Kusinara was famous as it was the site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. Malla Raja initially opposed Buddhism, later accepted him after he heard the Buddha’s discourses. Bulis of Allakappa, Moriyas of Pipphalivana and Kalamas of Kesaputta were followers of the Buddha. All are related to Gautam Bhudha and Kautilya also mention many self governing clans in which these exist. 4. Consider the following statements regarding society under the Pallavas 1. The caste system became highly rigid. 2. Land grants to Brahmins were common during Pallavas regime 3. Revival of Jainism was the principal feature during Pallavas time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 2 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 3 only D. None Ans: B Society under the Pallavas: The Tamil society witnessed a great change during the Pallava period. The caste system became rigid. The Brahmins occupied a high place in the society. They were given land-grants by the kings and nobles. Hence statement 1 and 2 is correct. They were also given the responsibility of looking after the temples. The Pallava period also witnessed the rise of Saivism and Vaishnavism and also the decline of Buddhism and Jainism. Hence statement 3 is incorrect. The Saiva Nayanmars and the Vaishnava Alwars contributed to the growth of Saivism and Vaishnavism. This is known as the Bhakti Movement. They composed their hymns in the Tamil TNPSC AURA TEST NO: 01 www.tnpscaura.com language. These hymns revealed the importance of devotion or Bakthi. The construction of temples by the Pallava kings paved the way for the spread of these two religions. 5. Consider the following statements regarding Satavahanas 1. The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka. 2. The Nasik and Nanaghad inscriptions throw light on the reign of Simuka. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 or 2 Ans: A Satavahanas: In the Deccan, the Satavahanas established their independent rule after the decline of the Mauryas. Their rule lasted for about 450 years. They were also known as the Andhras. The Puranas and inscriptions remain important sources for the history of Satavahanas. Among the inscriptions, the Nasik and Nanaghad inscriptions throw much light on the reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect. The coins issued by the Satavahanas are also helpful in knowing the economic conditions of that period. The founder of the Satavahanadynasty was Simuka. He was succeeded by Krishna, who extended the kingdom up to Nasik in the west. The third king was Sri Satakarni. He conquered western Malwa and Berar. He also performed asvamedha sacrifices. The seventeenth king of the Satavahana dynasty was Hala. He reignedfor a period of five years. Hala became famous for his book Gathasaptasati, also called Sattasai. It contains 700 verses in Prakrit language. 6. Consider the following statements regarding the Rashtrakutas 1. Jainism was flourishing along with Vaishnavism in their kingdom. 2. The Rashtraku takings promoted the Arab trade by maintaining friendship with them. 3. Village assemblies played a significant role in their administration Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 2 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Ans: D All the statements given above are correct. The Hindu sects of Vaishnavism and Saivism flourished during the period of Rashtrakutas. Yet, they did not affect the progress of Jainism under the patronage of Rashtrakuta kings and officers. Almost one third of the population of the Deccan were Jains. The economy was also in a flourishing condition. There was an active commerce between the Deccan and the Arabs. The Rashtrakuta kings promoted the Arab trade by maintaining friendship with them. The village administration was carried on by the village headmen. However, the village assemblies played a significant role in the village administration. 7. In context of Mauryan administration, who was regarded as the ‘Chief treasury officer’? TNPSC AURA TEST NO: 01 www.tnpscaura.com A. Samaharta B. Paura C. Sannidhata D. Karmantika Ans: C As per the Arthashastra of Chankya, there were two important officers in the Central Administration. These are Sannidhata (the Chief treasury officer) and Samaharta (the Chief Collector General of Revenue). 8. Consider the following statements regarding difference between sangam texts and Rig Veda 1. Sangam Literature does not constitute religious literature. 2. Sangam Literature is short and long poems were composed by numerous poets in praise of various heroes and heroines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Ans: C Answer Justification : The sangam texts are different from the Vedic texts, particularly the RigVeda. They do not constitute religious literature. The short and long poems were composed by numerous poets in praise of various heroes and heroines and are thus secular in nature. They are not primitive songs, but literature of high quality. Many poems mention a warrior or a chief or a king by name and describe in detail his military exploits. The gifts made by him to bards and warriors are celebrated. These poems may have been recited in the courts. They are compared with the heroic poetry of the Homeric age, for they represent a heroic age Of warriors and battles. It is difficult to use these texts for historical purposes. Perhaps the proper names, titles, dynasties, territories, wars, and the like mentioned in the poems are partly real. Some of the Chera kings mentioned in the Sangam texts also appear as donors in inscriptions of the first and second centuries. 9.
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