Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 29-07-2022

Q1.    Arrange the following events of Ancient History in chronological order

1. Beginning of Saka Era
2. Establishment of the Gupta Empire
3. The emergence of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty
4. The first Hun Invasion

Select the answer from codes given below 

1.  1, 2, 3, 4
2. 2, 1, 3, 4
3. 1, 2, 4, 3
4. 2, 1, 4, 3

Answer (c)

Explanation:

The Shaka era is a historical calendar era that started in 78AD.

Srigupta was the 1st King of the dynasty. However, the third king Chandragupta-I is considered as the real founder of the dynasty. He introduced the Gupta era in 320 A.D and married Kumaradevi, the princess of the Lichchavis. He got Pataliputra as a gift in marriage.

In the mid 5th century AD, the Huns, a fierce and warlike people from Central Asia invaded Northwest India. However, about 460 AD they were repulsed by Skandagupta (454-467).

The Puspabhuti dynasty aspired to imperial status during the reign of Harsha (Harsavardhana). Sthaneshwar (Thanesar) appears to have been a small principality, probably under the suzerainty of the Guptas. Harsha came to the throne in 606 and ruled for 41 years. The first of the major historical biographies in Sanskrit, the Harshacharita (“Deeds of Harsha”), was written by Bana, a celebrated author attached to his court, and contains information on Harsha’s early life. A fuller account of the period is given by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang, who travelled through India and stayed for some time at a monastery at Nalanda. Harsha acquired Kannauj (in Farrukhabad district), which became the eponymous capital of his large kingdom. He waged a major but unsuccessful campaign against Pulakeshin II, a king of the Chalukya dynasty of the northern Deccan, and was confined to the northern half of the subcontinent. Nor was his success spectacular in western India against Valabhl, Nandipur, and Sind (lower Indus valley). In his eastern campaign, however, Harsh met with little resistance (Shashanka having died in 636) and acquired Magadha, Vanga, and Kongoda (Orissa). His alliance with Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa (Assam) proved helpful.

Q2. Consider the following statements about Mauryan society as given by Megasthenes

1. The Mauryan society comprised seven occupational groups: philosophers, farmers, soldiers, herdsmen, artisans, magistrates, and councillors
2. He defined these groups as endogamous and the professions as hereditary
3. Only the philosophers could practice exogamy

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

All statements are correct:

According to Megasthenes, Mauryan society comprised seven occupational groups: philosophers, farmers, soldiers, herdsmen, artisans, magistrates, and councillors. He defined these groups as endogamous and the professions as hereditary, which has led to their being considered as castes. The philosophers included a variety of priests, monks, and religious teachers; they formed the smallest group but were the most respected, were exempt from taxation, and were the only ones permitted to marry into the other groups. The farmers were the largest group. The mention of herdsmen as a socioeconomic group suggests that, although the agrarian economy was expanding and had become central to the state income, pastoralism continued to play an important economic role. The artisans probably represented a major section of the urban population. The listing of magistrates and councillors as distinct groups is evidence of a large and recognizable administrative personnel.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Dhamma of Ashoka

1. It intends to promote general ethical conduct to which no religion could object
2. The primary   purpose   of   the   Ashokan   inscriptions is the propagation of Buddhism
3. He appointed dhamma-mahamattas to spread Dhamma

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Ashoka and the Dhamma

Ashoka defines the main principles of dhamma as nonviolence, tolerance of all sects and opinions, obedience to parents, respect for the Brahmans and other religious teachers and priests, liberality toward friends, humane treatment of servants, and generosity toward all. These suggest a general ethic of behaviour to which no religious or social group could object. They also could act as a focus of loyalty to weld together the diverse strands that made up the empire. Interestingly, the Greek versions of these edicts translate dhamma as eusebeia (piety), and no mention is made in the inscriptions of the teachings of the Buddha, which would be expected if Ashoka had been propagating Buddhism. His own activities under the impact of dhamma included attention to the welfare of his subjects, the building of roads and rest houses, the planting of medicinal herbs, the establishment of centres for tending the sick, a ban on animal sacrifices, and the curtailing of killing animals for food. He also instituted a body of officials known as the dhamma-mahamattas, who served the dual function of propagating the dhamma and keeping the emperor in touch with public opinion.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Guild System during Mauryan Period

1. Sarthavaha was a guild of mobile merchants
2. Nigama was settled merchant guilds of a town
3. Puga was guilds of money lenders

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

The Guild System

Srenis were the guilds of craftsmen and merchants. Guilds of merchants were headed by Sresti. Each of these guilds was guided by a set of regulations and norms called Srenidharma.

Except for the guilds of Pataliputra, other guilds issued private Currencies. The guild claimed immunity from the control of the state, involved in money lending business, maintained their own private armies called Srenibala and were the centres of technical education.

Important Guilds were:

Q5. Consider the following statements

1. The Sramana school of thought was the first to criticise the role of Brahmins
2. They emerged in the Post-Vedic Age
3. All Tirthankaras before Mahavira were Sramanas

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1. 1 only
   2. 2 and 3 only
   3. 1 and 3 only
   4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (c)

Explanation:

It started happening towards the end of the later Vedic age. Religion by this time had become a monopoly of the priestly class and more complicated. It had become very costly and beyond the reach of the common man. It denied salvation to the Shudras. 6th Century B.C. was marked by a string of intellectual currents all over the world. In India, a group of thinkers called the ‘Sramanas’ emerged in the Rig Vedic Age. They were the earliest critics of the Vedic religion. All Tirthankaras before Mahavira were Sramanas (A total of 23). The Sramana school of thought was the first to criticise the role of Brahmins.

Q6. Consider the following statements about the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa

1. These are Tibetan chronicles that give important information on the ancient history of India
2. They provided information about the life of Buddha

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

The important sources of Buddhism

1. Ceylonese chronicles: Mahavamsam by Mahnama and Dipavamsa are the most important
2. Chinese chronicles
3. Tibetan chronicles (Divyavadana)
4. Archaeological Sources like Cave architecture, Viharas and Stupas

Mahavamsa is an important chronicle (written record) which contains the accounts of the history of Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka, Buddhist sangha and kings of Sri Lanka. Mahavamsa means the “Great Chronicle”. It is a historical poem written in Pali. Together with Dipvamsa, it is the source of many accounts of the ancient history of Sri Lanka and India.