UPSC IAS Prelims : Ancient History : MCQ Set 8

UPSC IAS Prelims : Ancient History : MCQ Set 8

1. Consider the following statements:
(1) Harappan civilization had a well established currency system
(2) Cotton was one of the important export commodity of Harappans
(3) Pottery was an important industry during this period.
(4) Sexagesimal system was used in weights and measures.
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) All of these
Answer. b
Explanation:Though, many Harappan seals have been discovered but no evidence of currency has been found.
2. Consider the following statements:
(1) Jainism was an atheistic movement
(2) It rejected the existence of soul
(3) It rejected the infallibility of Vedas and doctrine of karma
(4) Philosophies such as Anektawad and Syadwad are related to Jainism
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) All of these

Answer. b

Explanation:Jainism was an atheistic movement. However, it did not reject the existence of soul and argued that everything in the world contains soul.
3. Which of the following factors contributed to the rise of Magadhan Empire?
(1) Strategic location of the capital
(2) Unorthodox character of Magadhan people
(3) Control over sea trade on Eastern coast
(4) Availability of rich deposits of iron ores
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) All of these
Answer. c

Explanation:During earlier stage of rise of Magadha, it was a land-locked Mahajanpada. It later on became most powerful using its resources.
4. Which of the following pairs are incorrectly matched
Ancient Port Present State
(1) Kaveripattnam : Tamil Nadu
(2) Broach : Maharashtra
(3) Tamrilipti : Bengal
(4) Muziris : Andhra Pradesh
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
Answer.d

Explanation:Broach was a port town in Gujarat and Muziris was a port town on the coast of Kerala.
5. Which of the following were aims of Dhamma of Ashoka?
(1) To counter religious tension in the Society
(2) To foster attitude of social responsibility among the people
(3) To propagate the idea of Buddhism
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) All of these
Answer. a

Explanation:Ashoka'sDhamma was an ethical code which aimed to increase religious tolerance among the people in society
6. Consider the following statements:
(1) Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India
(2) They issued bilingual coins in both round and square shape
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?
Codes:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Nor 2
Answer. c

Explanation:Round shape of coins was the feature of Greek Coins while square was that of Indian coins. As these coins were circulated in huge area, they were bilingual.
7. Consider the following statements regarding guilds during Post-Mauryan period
(1) They worked under the government
(2) They sometimes issued coins
(3) They provided credit and loans to the members of the guild
(4) Guild laws were protected by the government
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) All of these
Answer. b

Explanation:Merchants and artisans in same business organized themselves into guilds which were independent of government's interference in its general working.
8. Consider the following statements:
(1) There was an extensive expansion of cultivated land during Gupta period
(2) The land revenue policies of Guptas including direct collection of taxes from peasants relieved them from financial burden
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?
Codes:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Nor 2
Answer. a
Explanation:Land under cultivation increased during Gupta period due to growth of feudalism. This further undermined the position of peasants.
9. Which of the following statements are correct?

(1) Earliest examples of temples in the Dravidian style belong to the Chola period.
(2) Dravidian style is marked by a tower usually in the shape of a rectangular truncated outline.
Codes:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:Earliest examples of temples in the Dravidian style belong to the Pallava Period.
10. Which of the following statements are correct regarding religious ideas of Harappan people?
(1) Mother Goddess, a fertility goddess was central to their worship
(2) Phallus worship was prevalent
(3) Image and temple worship was an important part of the religious life
(4) Animism was also practiced
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) All of these
Answer. b
Explanation:No evidence has been yet found to suggest that image and temple worship were prevalent in the society.