Test: Ancient Indian History- 2

Jamil was the son in law of Swami Mahavir.

Ajivikas were associated with Gosala Maskariputra. Manthaliputra Goshalak was an ascetic teacher of ancient India. He is believed to have been born in 484 BCE. Ajivika school was purpotedly founded in the 5th century BCE by Makkhali Gosala. It was a sramana movement and a major rival of early Buddhism and Jainism.

The first coins to bear the names and images of rulers were issued by the Indo-Greeks, who established control over the north-western part of the subcontinent in 2^nd century BC. The first gold coins were issued in the first century CE by the Kushanas. Kushan Empire comprised of  much of Afghanistan, present-day Pakistan and the northern parts of India.

• Asoka’s Edicts & Inscriptions refer to a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka and cave walls
• In these inscriptions, Ashoka has referred to himself as “Beloved of the Gods” and “King Priya-darshi.”
• The inscriptions found in the eastern part of India were written in the Magadhi language with mild use of the Brahmi script.
• The inscriptions found in the western part of India have the language closer to Sanskrit, using the Kharoshthi script.
• These edicts were decoded by British archaeologist James Prinsep.
• Major Rock Edict X condemns the desire for fame and glory. Hence, Statement 2 is NOT correct.
• Major Rock Edict XIII records Asoka’s victory over Kalinga and the remorse at the sufferings caused by his Kalinga campaign. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Major Rock Edict XII records directed and determined the request for tolerance among different religious sects. Hence, Statement 3 is NOT correct while Statement 4 is correct.

The capital city of Vatsa was known as Kaushambi, which was a prosperous city. A number of rich merchants dwelled here. It was an important gateway for goods and people coming from the North West and south. 

Harappa, the ancient town on which the Harappan civilization is named, is located near the banks of Ravi river in Punjab province of Pakistan. It was divided into two major parts, the citadel and the lower town, both of them being walled. Many of the structures inside were raised on high platforms, which served as foundations. Extensive town planning was done with the typical Harappan grid pattern used in the town.

Evidence of Linga and Yoni worship has been found at sites like Kalibangan. Naga worship was also common amongst Harappans. Besides, a Pashupati seal found at the site of Mohenjodaro has led many to suggest that Shiva worship was also prevalent amongst Harappans.

The use of iron in the subcontinent started mainly in the later Vedic age, i.e. post 1000 BC. Copper, gold, silver and alloys like bronze were widely used by the Harappans for different purposes like making tools, utensils, jewellery, seals and sealings among others.

Theocracy means that a deity is the source of power for the Government. The design of the citadel in Harappan cities led many to suggest that Harappan polity was a theocracy. Many buildings are considered to have been of ceremonial or ritualistic purpose. For example, the processional terraces with guard rooms at Harappa. A unitary government is one in which the central Govt is supreme and the administrative units derive their power mainly from the central Govt. The standardization in the layout of Harappan cities, weights and measures, burial customs, extensive and coordinated trade networks suggest the unitary form of Govt.

The cylindrical stone seals, one inch in length, engraved with written characters or figurative scenes or both, were used during the Mesopotamian civilization. They were invented around 3500 BC in southern Mesopotamia. The images depicted on cylinder seals were mostly theme-driven, often sociological or religious.

The first man-made port is considered to have been built in Lothal site in Gujarat, India. The main crops of the Harappan culture were wheat and barley. Evidence of rice has been found from sites like Rangpur, Harappa, Lothal. Millets and cotton were also grown. The largest Harappan settlement in India is Rakhigarhi, located in Hisar district in Haryana, India. A large number of Harappan settlements were located in the Ghaggar-Hakra region.

Mohenjodaro is one of the largest and earliest excavated Harappan sites, spread over an area of almost 200 hectares. Important artefacts found at this site include the bronze 'dancing girl' statue, the statue of bearded man, Pashupati seal among others.

Dholavira is an important Harappan site located in Kutch region in Gujarat, India. It is renowned for its water management system, with a great network of stone cut reservoirs and canals which was vital in this rainfall deficient region. Seasonal streams Mansar (in the north) and Manhar (in the south) flowed outside the town.

Vedic deities were predominantly Indra, Agni (fire), Soma, Mitra – Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga & Amsa. They used to worship nature deities such as Surya (Sun), Vayu (Wind) and Prithvi (Earth). Rivers specially Saraswati, were worshipped as the goddess. Yajna was the mode of worship, which was the performance of sacrifices. It included Vedic chants, samans singing and sacrificial mantra i.e. yajus. Yajna involved sacrificing havan samagri in the fire while chanting the Vedic mantra.

The word "Aryan" comes from the ancient languages of Iran and India. The English word "Aryan" is borrowed from the Sanskrit word ārya, meaning "noble" or "noble one".