Test: Kings, Farmers And Town- 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

• Rajagaha (A - 3): Rajagaha, known today as Rajgir, was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha, one of the most powerful mahajanapadas during ancient India.

• Kshatriyas (B - 1): Kshatriyas were the warrior class responsible for protection, governance, and maintaining law and order in the society.

• Brahmanas (C - 4): Brahmanas were the priestly class responsible for conducting religious rituals and providing spiritual guidance in ancient Indian society.

• Sanghas (D - 2): Sanghas referred to oligarchic states where power was collectively shared by a group of men, often called rajas, contrasting with monarchical systems in other regions.

- The Assertion is true because the Mauryan Empire's growth was indeed influenced by effective governance and administrative strategies, such as the use of provincial centers and the appointment of dhamma mahamatta.

- The Reason is false, as the Mauryan rulers did implement systematic administrative frameworks alongside military power.

- Therefore, the Reason does not correctly explain the Assertion, making Option B the correct choice.

• Statement I is true because James Prinsep indeed deciphered the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in the 1830s, which played a crucial role in understanding early Indian political history, especially through the identification of King Ashoka.

• Statement II is false because the inscriptions did not focus solely on military conquests; they covered various aspects of governance, morality, and religious edicts, particularly under Ashoka’s rule.

Suvarnagiri: The literal name for the golden mountain is Suvarnagiri. This name comes from Sanskrit where "Suvarna" means gold and "giri" means mountain.

- Statement i is correct; transplantation did lead to increased agricultural productivity in the Ganga valley.

- Statement ii is incorrect; hoe agriculture was not practiced in all regions, particularly where plough agriculture was more suitable.

- Statement iii is correct; large landholders indeed gained power in rural society as agricultural practices evolved.

- Statement iv is incorrect; there are written records regarding irrigation systems, not just oral traditions. Therefore, the correct answer is A: i and iii.

Correct Answer - Option D

• The emergence of Magadha as the most powerful mahajanapada ( 4) – Magadha began to assert dominance among the mahajanapadas.
• The reign of Bimbisara, the ambitious king of Magadha (1) – Bimbisara (c. 544–492 BCE) expanded Magadha through diplomacy and conquests.
• The use of elephants for military purposes by Magadha ( 2) – Magadha's strategic use of war elephants contributed to its military strength.
• The shift of Magadha’s capital from Rajagaha to Pataliputra (3) – This shift happened later under the rule of Udayin (Bimbisara's grandson) around 4th century BCE.

• Piyadassi: The name of the king most commonly mentioned in inscriptions and coins is Piyadassi.
• Historical Significance:Piyadassi is another name for Ashoka the Great, a Mauryan emperor who ruled most of the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE.
• Inscriptions: Ashoka's inscriptions, known as the Edicts of Ashoka, were inscribed on rocks and pillars throughout his empire, spreading his message of dharma.
• Coins: Ashoka's coins also bore his name and titles, serving as a means of spreading his influence and authority.
• Legacy: Ashoka's reign is remembered for his conversion to Buddhism and his efforts to promote tolerance, non-violence, and social welfare.

- The Assertion is true; the introduction of coinage did transform trade practices.

- The Reason is also true; coins did standardize transactions and enhance efficiency.

- The Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion since standardized currency minimizes confusion in trade.

• Location: The colossal statues of Kushana rulers are found in Uttar Pradesh, specifically in Mathura.
• Significance: These statues are significant historical artifacts that date back to the Kushana period, a time of flourishing art and culture in India.
• Artistic Value: The statues are known for their intricate details, reflecting the artistic skills of the sculptors during that era.
• Historical Importance: These statues provide insights into the political and cultural landscape of ancient India, particularly during the rule of the Kushana dynasty.
• Tourist Attraction: The statues attract tourists and history enthusiasts from around the world, who come to admire and learn about the rich heritage of India.

- The Assertion is true because Asoka's inscriptions reveal significant insights into the political and social ideologies of the Mauryan Empire, particularly his promotion of dhamma.

- The Reason is false, as Asoka's inscriptions addressed moral and social issues, not solely economic policies.

- Thus, the Assertion stands correct while the Reason is incorrect, making Option C the right answer.

- Statement i is correct as the Jataka tales indeed reflect the perceptions of subjects towards their rulers.

- Statement ii is incorrect; the adoption of the iron-tipped ploughshare varied by region and was not uniform across India.

- Statement iii is correct; the high tax burdens led many subjects to flee their villages.

- Statement iv is incorrect; while powerful men organized irrigation works, local communities were also involved. Thus, the correct answer is B: i and iii.

• Number of subcommittees: Megasthenes mentioned six subcommittees in his writings.
• Details of subcommittees: The subcommittees mentioned by Megasthenes were related to various administrative functions in the ancient Indian society.
• Significance: These subcommittees played a crucial role in the governance and organization of the society during that time.
• Implications: The existence of these subcommittees highlights the complexity and sophistication of the administrative system in ancient India.



 

- Statement i is incorrect because Asokan inscriptions do not directly mention Asoka's name; they use titles instead.

- Statement ii is correct as historians do evaluate the truthfulness of claims made in inscriptions.

- Statement iii is incorrect since most of the population at that time was likely illiterate and would not have read the inscriptions.

- Statement iv is correct; epigraphists often find matching content and style across inscriptions, which helps in drawing historical conclusions.

Thus, the correct statements are ii and iv.

- The Assertion is correct as the Mauryan Empire's contributions are well-documented and recognized despite its brief existence.

- The Reason is also correct; Asoka’s inscriptions and his portrayal indeed inspired future leaders.

- The Reason serves as a correct explanation for the Assertion, illustrating how the legacy of the Mauryan Empire had a lasting impact on Indian nationalism.

• The assertion is true; the discovery of Indo-Greek coins that featured both Greek and Kharosthi helped in deciphering Kharosthi inscriptions.
• The reason is false; while Kharosthi was primarily used in the northwestern regions, it did not limit its spread as suggested. Kharosthi was an important script in its own right, used in a broader context than the reason implies.
• Therefore, the reason does not explain the assertion, which stands true independently.

- The Assertion is correct as historical records indicate that chiefdoms in these regions experienced a degree of stability and prosperity.

- The Reason is also correct, as trade was a critical source of wealth for many of these chiefdoms.

- The Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion, as it directly links the economic power derived from trade to the stability mentioned.

- Statement i is correct as the sixth century BCE indeed marked the rise of early states and cities.

- Statement ii is incorrect because while some mahajanapadas were oligarchies, many were ruled by kings.

- Statement iii is correct as Magadha's power stemmed from its fertile land and resource wealth, including elephants.

- Statement iv is also correct, as the Dharmasutras were indeed composed in this period and laid out social norms for rulers, particularly Kshatriyas.

Thus, the correct statements are i, iii, and iv.

- Statement i is correct as Pataliputra was indeed the capital and a major political center.

- Statement ii is incorrect; the empire's administration varied due to diverse terrains and local conditions.

- Statement iii is correct; Asoka's inscriptions promoted respect for various religions as part of his dhamma.

- Statement iv is correct; the army was essential for communication and protection throughout the empire.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C (i, iii, and iv).

• Pali: The Jatakas were written in Pali, a Middle Indo-Aryan language.
• Origin: Pali is the language in which the Theravada Buddhist scriptures are preserved.
• Significance: The Jatakas are a collection of ancient Indian folklore tales that recount the previous lives of Gautama Buddha.
• Content: These stories often contain moral lessons and teachings that are valuable in Buddhist philosophy.
• Transmission: The Jatakas were initially passed down orally before being written down in Pali script.
• Spread: Pali was widely used in ancient India and Southeast Asia, making the Jatakas accessible to a larger audience.


 

Correct answer: c) If Assertion is true but Reason is false

• Assertion (A): The Brahmi script is indeed the ancestor of most modern Indian scripts, such as Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, etc. This is true.
• Reason (R): While European scholars did contribute to deciphering Brahmi, this process occurred in the 19th century, notably through the efforts of James Prinsep in the 1830s, rather than the late 18th century. Furthermore, deciphering Brahmi was not primarily achieved through comparison with contemporary languages but through studying inscriptions and symbols systematically. Hence, the Reason is false.