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Consider the following statements about Nagarjuna.
1. He was expert in transforming the base metals into gold
2. He wrote a treatise Rasratnakara
3. He also wrote Uttaratantra, which deals with preparation of medicinal drugs
Choose from the following options.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

One of the famous alchemist of ancient times was Nagarjuna. He was an expert in transforming the base metals into gold. Born in Gujarat in 931 AD, Nagarjuna was blessed with this power of changing base metals into gold and extraction of "Elixir of life" asper the beliefs of the people. He wrote a treatise Rasaratnakara, a book on chemistry and is in the form of dialogue between him and the Gods. The treatise mainly deals with preparation of liquids (mainly mercury). The book also emphasised on the survey of metallurgy and alchemy. To prepare the elixir of life from mercury, Nagarjuna used animal and vegetable products apart from minerals and alkalis. He also discussed the transmutation of base metals into gold. The gold could not be produced but the method has been useful in producing metals with gold like yellowish brilliance which even helps in manufacturing imitation jewellery. Nagarjuna also wrote Uttaratantra which is a supplement to Sushruta Samhita and deals with preparation of medicinal drugs. Four ayurvedic treatises have also been written by him in the later years when his interest shifted in organic chemistry and medicine.

Which of the following emphasized on the use of opium in medicines and for Urine examination in Laboratories?
  • a)
    Sharangdhar Samhita
  • b)
    Charak Samhita
  • c)
    Sushruta Samhita
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Introduction:

The emphasis on the use of opium in medicines and for urine examination in laboratories can be found in the Sharangdhar Samhita.

Explanation:

The Sharangdhar Samhita is one of the classical texts of Ayurveda, which is a system of traditional medicine that originated in ancient India. It was written by Sharangdhar, a physician who lived in the 13th century.

Opium in Medicines:

Opium has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its analgesic and sedative properties. In the Sharangdhar Samhita, opium is mentioned as an important ingredient in the preparation of various medicinal formulations. It is used in the treatment of conditions such as pain, diarrhea, cough, and insomnia. Opium is believed to have therapeutic effects in Ayurveda and was commonly used in ancient Indian medicine.

Urine Examination in Laboratories:

The Sharangdhar Samhita also emphasizes the use of opium for urine examination in laboratories. In Ayurveda, urine examination is an important diagnostic tool used to assess the state of health and identify any underlying imbalances or diseases. Opium was used to analyze the color, consistency, smell, and other characteristics of urine to determine the doshas (energetic forces) present in the body and diagnose various conditions.

Significance of Opium:

Opium has been used in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties and as a tool for diagnosis. It has sedative and analgesic effects, which can help alleviate pain and induce sleep. Opium also has antidiarrheal properties and can suppress cough. In urine examination, opium was used as a tool to identify imbalances in the body and guide treatment accordingly.

Conclusion:

The Sharangdhar Samhita, a classical text of Ayurveda, emphasizes the use of opium in medicines and for urine examination in laboratories. Opium has been used for centuries in Ayurveda for its therapeutic properties and as a diagnostic tool to assess the state of health. Its inclusion in the Sharangdhar Samhita highlights its significance in traditional Indian medicine.

Which of these are correctly matched?
1. Akbar - ordered to make mathematics as a subject of study in the education system during those times
2. Sawai Jai Singh - compiled Tajik, dealing with the large number of Persian technical terms
3. James Taylor - translated Leelavati
Choose from the following options.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanjay Rana answered
A chakrawat method or the cyclic method to solve algebraic equations was introduced by him in his book Lilavati. In the nineteenth century, James Taylor translated Lilavati and made it known to the people across the globe. In the Medieval period, Narayan Pandit produced works of mathematics which includenGanitakaumudi and Bijaganitavatamsa. Nilakantha Somasutvan wrote Tantrusamgraha, which contains the rules of trigonometric functions. Nilakanatha Jyotirvida compiled Tajik, dealing with a large number of Persian technical terms. Lilavati was translated into Persian by Faizi. Faizi, in the court of Akbar, translated Bhaskara's Beejaganita. Moreover, Akbar ordered to make mathematics as a subject of study in the education system during those times. In the field of astronomy, Feroz Shah Tughlaq established an observatory in Delhi and Feroz Shah Bahamani at Daulatabad. The court astronomer of Feroz shah Bahmani, Mahendra Suri, invented an astronomical instrument known as Yantaraja. Moreover, Sawai Jai Singh set up 5 astronomical observatories at Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura.

Consider the following statements.
1. Aryabhatta formulated the area of triangle and discovered algebra
2. The value of Pi given by Aryabhatta is much more accurate than that given by the greeks
3. Aryabhattia also deals with the method of determining movement of sun and the moon
Which of these statements are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Kajal Chopra answered


Statements Analysis:

1. Aryabhatta formulated the area of triangle and discovered algebra
- Aryabhatta made significant contributions to mathematics, including the formulation of the area of a triangle and advancements in algebra.

2. The value of Pi given by Aryabhatta is much more accurate than that given by the Greeks
- Aryabhatta approximated the value of Pi (π) to a greater degree of accuracy compared to the Greeks, showcasing his mathematical prowess.

3. Aryabhatta also deals with the method of determining the movement of the sun and the moon
- Aryabhatta's work also delves into astronomy, where he developed methods for calculating the movements of celestial bodies like the sun and the moon.

Correctness of Statements:

- Statement 1: Correct. Aryabhatta's contributions to mathematics, including the area of a triangle and advancements in algebra, are well-documented.
- Statement 2: Correct. Aryabhatta's approximation of Pi was more accurate than that of the Greeks, showcasing his mathematical sophistication.
- Statement 3: Correct. Aryabhatta's work in astronomy included methods for tracking the movements of celestial bodies like the sun and the moon.

Therefore, all three statements are correct, highlighting Aryabhatta's multifaceted contributions to mathematics and astronomy.

Consider the following statements.
1. The earliest book on mathematics was Sulvasutra, written by Aryabhatta
2. Apastamba introduce the concepts of practical geometry
Which of these statements are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both of them
  • d)
    Neither of them
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Deepa Iyer answered
The earliest book on mathematics was Sulvasutra written by Baudhayana in the 6th century BC. There is a mention of 'Pi' and even some concepts very similar to Pythagoras theorem in the Sulvasutra. Pi is presently used to calculate the area and circumference of the circle. Apastamba, in the second century BC, introduced the concepts of practical geometry involving acute angles, obtuse angles and right angles. This knowledge of angles helped in the constructions of fire altars in those times.

Consider the following statements.
1. Brahmasutra Siddhantika, was written by brahmagupta, in which zero was mentioned for the first time as a number
2. Ganit Sara Sangraha, was written by Mahaviracharya, which is the first textbook on mathematics in present day form
Which of these statements are NOT correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both of them
  • d)
    Neither of them
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Priya Menon answered
Brahmagupta in the 7th century AD in his book Brahmasputa Siddhantika mention Zero for the first time as a number. In his book, he also introduced negative number and described them as debts and positive numbers as fortunes. In the 9th century AD, Mahaviracharya wrote Ganit Sara Sangraha which is the first textbook on arithmetic in present day form. In his book, he described in details the current method of finding Lowest common multiple. Therefore, it was an invention not by the John Napier but by Mahaviracharya in its actual form.

Which of the following classes are associated with ship building?
1. Samanya
2. Vishesh
Choose from the following options.
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both of them
  • d)
    Neither of them
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Lalit Yadav answered
There have been many references of maritime activities by Indians during ancient times. Sanskrit and Pali literature had a mention of ship building and navigation activities. In the theological folklore of Hinduism, the Satyanarayan Puja talks of a sea merchant who was caught in a storm and prayed to the lord that if he is saved then he will offer puja to Lord Satyanarayana. Yukti Kalpa Taru is a treatise in Sanskrit which deals with the various techniques used in ship building during ancient times. The book contains minute details about the types of ships, their sizes and the types of material used to build those ships. Indian builders possessed good knowledge about the materials used for ship building during ancient times.
The ships were primarily classified into two classes:
• Samanya (Ordinary class)
• Vishesha ( special class) The ordinary class is for a sea voyage and had two types of ships:
• Dirgha type of ship - long and narrow hull
• Unnata type of ship - higher hull

On which of the following topics, we can find a note in charak Samhita?
1. Digestion
2. Metabolism
3. Immune system
Choose from the following options.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Zara Khan answered
In Charak Samhita, extensive note on digestion, metabolism and immune system is written. Charaka emphasises that the functioning of a human body depends on three Doshas: 1. Bile, 2. Phlegm and 3. Wind.
These doshas are produced with the help of blood, flesh and marrow and the body becomes sick due to an imbalance between these three doshas. Drugs can be used to restore this balance. Charaka in his book has put more emphasis on prevention rather than cure. Genetics also finds a mention in Charaka Samhita.

Consider the following statements.
1. In Vedic times, Shiv was considered as the god of medicine
2. Yajur veda was the first book where we find mention about the diseases, its cure and medicines
Which of these statements are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both of them
  • d)
    Neither of them
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Ritika Basu answered
Explanation:

Neither of the statements is correct. Here's why:

1. In Vedic times, Shiv was considered as the god of medicine
- This statement is not entirely correct. While Lord Shiva is associated with certain medicinal plants like cannabis, there is no evidence to suggest that he was considered as the god of medicine in Vedic times. In fact, in the Rigveda, the god of medicine is mentioned as Ashwini Kumars.

2. Yajur veda was the first book where we find mention about the diseases, its cure and medicines
- This statement is also not entirely correct. While the Yajurveda does contain references to diseases and some medicinal herbs, it is not the first book to do so. The Atharvaveda, which is believed to be older than the Yajurveda, contains detailed descriptions of diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. It also contains references to various medicinal plants and their uses.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D, neither of them.

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