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1. Which one of the following periods is also known as Chalcolithic age ?

(a) Old Stone Age
(b) New Stone Age
(c) Copper Age
(d) Iron Age

Correct Answer –  (c) Copper Age

  • The age in which instruments of copper were used in addition to stone, is called the Copper Age.
  • The Copper Age is also known as Chalcolithic age. 
  • It was a transitional period between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
  • Its duration is from about 4000–2600 BCE and was characterized by the use of copper tools.
  • The Chalcolithic culture was followed by the Bronze Age Harappan culture.
  • Many Chalcolithic sites have been discovered in various parts of the country including Ganga plains of Bihar. 
    • Important Chalcolithic sites in Bihar include:
    • Chirand (Saran)
    • Muner (Patna),
    • Champa (Bhagalpur),
    • Chechar-Kutubpur (Vaishali),
    • Taradih (Gaya)

2. Indus Civilization existed in which among the following ages ?

(a) Prehistoric age
(b) Early historical age
(c) Historical age
(d) Later historical age

Correct Answer – (b) Early historical age

  • Historical period is determined with respect to the availability of the written literature. 
  • The period before knowledge of writing is called the early historical age.
  • Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization in the Indian subcontinent which existed between 2600 and 1900 B.C.
  • Along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three ancient civilizations of the world.
  • Indus Civilization is categorized as an early historical civilization although writing was known during this period but it is still to be deciphered. 
  • The first city to be discovered by excavation was Harappa and therefore it is also known as ‘Harappan Civilization’.

3. Which color was commonly used in the Harappan Pottery ?

(a) Red
(c) Yellow
(b) Blue-gray
(d) Blue

Correct Answer – (a) Red

  • The people of the Indus Valley were well-acquainted with the use of wheel-drawn potters. 
  • Paintings and varnishing of potters were also known. 
  • The plain pottery of Indus Valley Civilisation was generally made up of red clay.
  • The painted pottery was of red and black colors. 
  • Several methods were used by people for the decoration of pottery.

4. In which among the following Harappan sites, a terracotta figure of ‘plough’ was found ?

(a) Dholavira
(b) Banawali
(c) Kalibangan
(d) Lothal
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer – (b) Banawali

  • Banawali is located in Fatehabad district of Haryana from where a terracotta replica of a plough was found.
  • Important findings at other sites:
  • Mohenjodaro
    • Great bath
    • Granary
    • Bronze dancing girl
    • Seal of Pasupathi Mahadeva
    • Steatite statue of beard man
  • Harappa
    • Granaries
    • Bullock carts
  • Chanhudaro
    • Bead makers shop
  • Kalibangan
    • Fire altar
    • Camel bones
    • Wooden plough
  • Lothal
    • First manmade port
    • Dockyard
    • Rice husk
    • Fire altars
  • Surkotada
    • Bones of horses
  • Dholavira
    • Water harnessing system
    • Large Water reservoirs
  • Banawali
    • Beads
    • Barley
  • An inscription comprising ten large sized signs of the Harappan script were found from Dholavira of Harappan script.

5. Which of the following was a Harappan port ?

(a) Alexandria
(b) Lothal
(c) Dholavira
(d) Nagapattinam

Correct Answer – ((b) Lothal

  • Lothal is situated in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. 
  • It is situated on the bank of Bhogava river.
  • It was discovered by S.R. Rao in 1954.
  • Ancient dockyard/port was found at Lothal.
  • The dockyard has an inlet channel, gates, and a ramp for loading and unloading ships.
  •  It is an evidence of the Harappans maritime activity and the importance of Lothal in trade with other ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia.

6. Who among the following was not associated with the excavation of Harappa and Mohenjodaro ?

(a) R.D. Banerjee
(b) K.N. Dikshit
(c) M.S. Vats
-(d) V.A. Smith

Correct Answer – (d) V.A. Smith

  • Dayaram Sahni and M.S.Vats are related to the excavation of Harappa.
  • Mohenjodaro was discovered in 1922 by Rakhal Das Banerjee. 
  • Other important scholars like K.N. Dixit, Ernest Mackay, A. Ghosh, J.P. Joshi also contributed to the discovery of this civilization. 
  • Vincent Arthur Smith (1843-1920) was a prominent twentieth-century historian However he was not associated with the discovery of Harappan Civilization.

7. Which Mandala of Rig Veda is completely dedicated to ‘Soma’ ?

(a) Seventh Mandala
(b) Eighth Mandala
(c) Ninth Mandala
(d) Tenth Mandala

Correct Answer –  (c) Ninth Mandala

  • Rig Veda is the oldest Veda. 
  • It comprises 10 Mandals. 
  • The 9th mandala Rig Veda comprises 114 mantras dedicated to ‘Soma.’
  • Soma was the personification of the sacred soma plant, whose juice was intoxicating to gods and men.
  • Indra and Agni were portrayed as consuming soma.

8. Boghaz-Koi is important because of which among the following reasons :

(a) It was an important trading center between Central Asia and Tibet
(b) Inscriptions were found which mentioned the names of Vedic Gods and Goddesses
(c) Original Texts of the Vedas were composed here
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer – (b) Inscriptions were found which mentioned the names of Vedic Gods and Goddesses

  • Boghaz-Koi inscription (Asia Minor, Turkey) is important because there is mention of following four Vedic Gods:
    • Indra
    • Varuna
    • Maitra
    • Nasteya

9. Gayatri Mantra is found in which among the following books ?

(a) Upanishad
(b) Bhagwat Gita
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Yajurveda

Correct Answer – (c) Rig Veda

  • The Gayatri mantra is a sacred chant of hinduism.
  • The Gayatri Mantra was first written in Sanskrit in the Rig Veda.
  • It is in the third mandala of the Rig Veda..
  • Its meaning is “May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path”.

10. Famous Battle of ‘Ten Kings’ was fought on the bank of the river ?

(a) The Ganges
(b) Brahmaputra
(c) Kaveri
(d) Parushni

Correct Answer –  (d) Parushni

  • There is an ancient story mentioned in the Rig Veda called the Dasharajnya or War of 10 Kings.
  • The Battle of the Ten Kings is mentioned in the 7th Mandala of the Rigveda.
  • It took place between a king of the Bharatas named King Sudas versus a confederation of tribes. 
  • It resulted in a decisive victory for the Bharatas.

11. In which phase, the concept of untouchability was put clearly?

(a) Rigedic phase
(c) Later Gupta phase
(b) Later Vedic phase
(d) Dharmashastra phase

Correct Answer –  (d) Dharmashastra phase

  • The concept of untouchability assumed a definite shape in the early Christian era.
  • This period in Indian history is also known as the era of Dharmashastra .
  • During this period, Brahmanical religion was on the top. 
  • Various scriptures were being written and the social customs of different types were followed strictly and untouchability was one of them.
  • The four ashramas: Brahmacharya (student), Gṛhastha (householder), Vanaprastha (forest dweller), and Sannyasa (renunciate) also became common in this period.

12. Where did Mahatma Buddha’s ‘Mahaparinirvana’ take place ? (BPSC – 2005)

(a) Lumbini
(b) Bodh Gaya
(c) Kushinagar
(d) Kapilvastu

Correct Answer –  (d) Kapilvastu

  • Important places associated with the life of Mahatma Buddha:
    • Lumbini → Birth
    • Enlightenment → Bodhgaya
    • Deer Park at Sarnath → Delivered his first sermon.
    • Kushinagar (Capital of Republic of Malla) → Abandoned his body in 483 BC at the age of 80 years. It is also known as Mahaparinirvan.

13. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at which among the following places ? (BPSC – 2015)

(a) Vaishali
(b) Kaushambi
(c) Sarnath
(d) Pawapuri

Correct Answer – (c) Sarnath

  • After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha went to Sarnath, where he delivered his first sermon.
  • In Pali it is known as the ‘Dhammachakkappavattana’ or “Dharma Chakra Pravartan.”

14. A Buddhist Council during the reign of Kanishka was held at ? (BPSC – 2005)

(a) Magadha
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Kashmir
(d) Rajgriha

Correct Answer – (c) Kashmir

  • The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir under the patronage of Kushan King Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra, with Ashvaghosa as his deputy. 
  • This council distinctly divided Buddhism into two sects namely Mahayana and Hinayana.

15. Mahabodhi Temple has been built at Bodh Gaya where ? (BPSC – 2001)

(a) Gautama Buddha was born
(b) Gautama Buddha received enlightenment
(c) Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon
(d) Gautama Buddha passed away

Correct Answer – (b) Gautama Buddha received enlightenment

  • After six years of penance, Gautama got enlightenment at the age of 35 years at Bodh Gaya under the Peepal tree.
  • Mahabodhi temple was built at this site

16. Where is the highest in the world ‘Vishwa Shanti Stupa’ located in Bihar ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) Vaishali
(b) Nalanda
(c) Rajgir
(d) Patna

Correct Answer – (c) Rajgir

  • The Vishwa Shanti Stupa or the World Peace Pagoda situated on the hills of Rajgir in Bihar is the highest Vishwa Shanti Stupa in the world. 
  • Its height is 400 meters.
  • It has four gold-gilded statues of Buddha.

17. Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of who among the following ?

(a) Asoka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(d) Harsha

Correct Answer – (b) Kanishka

  • The fourth council held during the reign of Kanishka divided Buddhism into two sects namely Hinayana and Mahayana.
  • In Mahayana Buddhism, Gautam Buddha was treated as God and they started worshiping Buddha through idols and images.
  • Hence, it can be concluded that Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of Kanishka.

18. In which among the following states ‘Odantipuri’ Education Centre was situated in ancient India ? (BPSC – 2016)

(a) Bengal
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) Tamil Nadu
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer –  (b) Bihar

  • Odantapuri (also called as Uddandapura) was a prominent education center of ancient India. 
  • It is considered as the second oldest of Indians universities after Nalanda University.
  • It was situated in Magadha, now located in Bihar Sharif, Bihar.
  • It was established by the Pala emperor Gopala  in the 8th century.

19. Who was the founder of Nalanda University ? (BPSC – 2015)

(a) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(b) Kumaragupta
(c) Dharmapal
(d) Pushyagupta

Correct Answer –  (b) Kumaragupta

  • Nalanda University was the world’s first International University.
  • Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta of the Gupta dynasty founded Nalanda University in 427 CE in Bihar and it flourished for 600 years until the 12th century.
  • During King Harshavardhana’s reign (606-647 AD) Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang came here and studied for many years.
  • The university was destroyed in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of the Qutbuddin Aibak.
  • Now, It is a UNESCO’s Heritage Site located at Nalanda, Bihar.

20. ‘Nav Nalanda Mahavihara’ is famous for ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) Hsuan-Tsang memorial
(b) Birthplace of Mahavir
(c) Pali Research Centre
(d) Museum

Correct Answer – (c) Pali Research Centre

  • Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is an institute established in 1951 under Rajendra Prasad near the ruins of ancient Nalanda.
  • It is a modern-day center of research for Pali and Buddhism.

21. Which one of the following is not common between Buddhism and Jainism ? (BPSC – 2000)

(a) Ahimsa
(b) Indifference to Vedas
(c) Self-mortification
(d) Rejection of Rituals

Correct Answer – (c) Self-mortification

  • Jainism preached extreme penance whereas Buddhism suggested the avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment and asked to follow the middle path.
  • Ahimsa, Denial of the efficiency of rituals, indifference to the authority of Vedas and non-injury to animals was prohibited by both religions.

22. Where was Mahavira Swami born ? (BPSC – 2011 )

(a) Kundagram
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Magadha
(d) Vaishali

Correct Answer – (a) Kundagram

  • Mahavira Swami was born in Kundagram (Kundalpur) near Vaishali in approx 599 BC.
  • His mother Trishala was the sister of Chetak, the head of Lichchhavi republic.
  • His father Siddhartha was the head of Gyatrik Kshatriya.

23. Mahavira Jain breathed his last at which among the following places ? (BPSC – 2001)

(a) Rajgir
(b) Ranchi
(c) Pavapuri
(d) Samastipur

Correct Answer – (c) Pavapuri

  • Mahavira Swami was born in Kundagram near Vaishali in 599 BC. 
  • He attained Nirvana at the age of 72 years in 527 BC in Pavapuri, located near Rajgir, Bihar.

24. The first disciple of Lord Mahavir was ? (BPSC – 2005)

(a) Jamali
(b) Yashoda
(c) Bipin
(d) Prabhas

Correct Answer –  (a) Jamali

  • Jamali was the first disciple of Lord Mahavira.
  • He was the son-in-law of Lord Mahavir.

25. ‘Ajivika’ sect was founded by ? (BPSC – 1994)

(a) Anand
(c) Makkhali Gosala
(b) Rahul Bhadra
(d) Upali

Correct Answer – (c) Makkhali Gosala

  • Makkhali Gosala was initially a disciple of Mahavira however later he left Mahavira due to the difference of opinion with him.
  • Makkhali Gosala founded an independent sect known as “Ajivaka”.
  • They believed in ‘Niyatiwad’ according to which every event in the world is being controlled and operated by destiny (fate).

26. Who contributes the most in the development of the Bhagavata sect ? (BPSC – 1994)

(a) Persian
(c) Kushan
(b) Indo-Greek people
(d) Gupta

Correct Answer – (d) Gupta

  • The Bhagavata or Vaishnava religion reached its peak during the Gupta period.
  • Guptas were followers of Vaishnava religion, and they also made it a religion of the state.
  • It is to be noted that Garuda, the mount (Vahana) of lord Vishnu was the state symbol of Guptas.

27. Which was the first capital of the Magadha empire ? (BPSC – 2005)

(a) Pratishthan
(b) Vaishali
(c) Rajgriha
(d) Champa

Correct Answer – (c) Rajgriha

  • Raigriha was the first capital of Magadha.
  • According to Puranas, the first dynasty to rule over Magadha was the Brihadratha dynasty. 
  • Jarasandha, the descendant of Brihadrath, made Girivraja (Rajgir) his capital. 
  • Later on Udayin, son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.

28. Who among the following kings had founded Pataliputra? (BPSC – 2000, 2008)

(a) Sisunaga
(b) Bimbisar
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Udayin

Correct Answer – (d) Udayin

  • Patliputra was established by Udyain, the ruler of Haryanka dynasty.
  • Udayin was the successor of Ajatshatru. 
  • He built a fort at the confluence of Son and Ganga river and shifted the capital of Magadha Empire from Rajgriha to Pataliputra. 
  • Patliputra  was also the capital of the Sisunaga dynasty, Nanda dynasty, and Maurya dynasty.

29. In which century did the first Magadha Empire rise ? (BPSC -1997)

(a) Fourth Century B.C.
(b) Sixth Century B.C.
(c) Second Century B.C.
(d) First Century B.C.

Correct Answer – (b) Sixth Century B.C.

  • The Magadha empire flourished in the 6th century B.C. 
  • The real founder of this empire was king Bimbisara ( 544-492 century B.C). 
  • He belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.

30. By whom the first republic of the world was established in Vaishali ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) Maurya
(c) Gupta
(b) Nanda
(d) Lichchhavi

Correct Answer –  (d) Lichchhavi

  • The Lichchhavi dynasty of Vaishali established the first republic in the world.
  • Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage site and also the birthplace of Vardhamana Mahavira.

31. The list of sixteen Mahajanapadas is available in ? (BPSC – 2003)

(a) Mahabharata
(b) Anguttar Nikaya
(c) Chandogya Upanishad
(d) Samyukta Nikaya

Correct Answer – (b) Anguttar Nikaya

  • The sixteen Mahajanapads were described in the Buddhist text ‘Anguttara Nikaya’.
  • They were Magadha, Anga, Kashi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchal, Matsya, Surasen, Asmaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboj.

32. What was the name of the dynasty of Ajatshatru? (BPSC – 2011)

(a) Maurya
(b) Haryanka
(c) Nanda
(d) Gupta

Correct Answer – (b) Haryanka

  • Ajatashatru belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.
  • King Bimbisara ( 544-492 century B.C) was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Ajatashatru (492-460 BC) killed his father Bimbisara and occupied the throne. 
  • He was also killed by his son Udayin for the same reason.

33. Which dynasty did rule over Magadha after the Nanda Dynasty ? (BPSC – 2000)

(a) Maurya
(c) Gupta
(b) Shunga
(d) Kushana

Correct Answer – (a) Maurya

  • The Nanda dynasty of Magadha was founded after the Shishunaga dynasty. 
  • Last ruler of the Nanda dynasty was Dhanananda Dhanananda.
  • Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya, defeated and killed Dhanananda and established the Mauryan Empire.

34. Who was the founder of the Karnata dynasty ? (BPSC – 2016)

(a) Nanya Dev
(b) Nrsimhadev
(c) Vijaydev
(d) Haridev
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer – (a) Nanya Dev

  • The Karnat dynasty ruled from 1097 AD to 1324 AD in Mithila in Bihar state of India.
  • Nanya Dev (1097-98 AD) was the founder of Karnata dynasty.
  • The capital of the Karnata dynasty was Simran. 
  • The period of Karnata dynasty (1097 AD – 1378 AD) is known as the golden period of Mithila.

35. Who was the last King of the Karnata dynasty ? (BPSC – 2016)

(a) Harisimha
(b) Ramasimha
(c) Matisimha
(d) Shyam Simha
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer –  (a) Harisimha

  • The last ruler of Karnata Dynasty was Harisimha Dev.

36. Which one of the following rulers of Magadha was the contemporary of Alexander, the Great? (BPSC – 2000)

(a) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Dhanananda
(c) Sukalpa
(d) Chandragupta Maurya

Correct Answer –  (b) Dhanananda

  • Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty who was also the contemporary of Alexander.

37. Chandragupta Maurya figures prominently in the book of ? (BPSC – 2004)

(a) Bhasa
(b) Sudraka
(c) Vishakhadatta
(d) Ashvaghosha

Correct Answer –  (c) Vishakhadatta

  • Mudrarakshasa authored by Vishakhdutta provides the various information about Chandragupta Maurya. 
  • Devichandraguptam is another famous work of Vishakhadatta.

38. Who recognized Sandrokottos as Chandra Gupta Maurya ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) William Jones
(c) R. K. Mukherjee
(b) V. Smith
(d) D. R. Bhandarkar

Correct Answer –  (a) William Jones

  • William Jones was the first scholar who recognised Sandrokottos as Chandra Gupta Maurya.
  • He also founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784. The society was a center for literary and scientific activities.

39. Kautilya’s Arthashastra deals with the aspects of which among the following ? (BPSC – 2001)

(a) Economic life
(b) Political policies
(c) Religious life
(d) Social life

Correct Answer – (b) Political policies

  • The Arthashastra is an Ancient Indian Sanskrit work on statecraft, political science and military strategy.
  • It provides detailed information about the Mauryan dynasty.

40. Chandragupta’s palace situated at Pataliputra was mainly made up of which among the following ? (BPSC – 1996)

(a) Bricks
(b) Stones
(c) Woods
(d) Clays

Correct Answer – (c) Woods

  • Chandragupta’s palace situated at Pataliputra was mainly made up of Woods.
  • The archaeological remains of the Mauryan period have been discovered in Bulandi Bagh and Kumhrar in Patna.

41. Who amongst the following Mauryan rulers conquered the Deccan ? (BPSC – 2004 )

(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta
(c) Bindusara
(d) Kunala

Correct Answer – (b) Chandragupta

  • The founder of the Mauryan dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya defeated the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty and ascended to the throne. 
  • He also conquered the Deccan plateau. 
  • Jain and Tamil sources inscriptions found at various parts of southern India provide the information that Chandragupta Maurya expanded his empire into the Deccan trap.

42. The Inscription which proves Chandragupta’s control over western India is ? (BPSC – 1994)

(a) Kalinga Rock Inscription
(b) Girnar Rock Inscription of Ashoka
(c) Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman
(d) Sopara Rock Inscription of Ashoka

Correct Answer – (c) Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman

  • Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman provided the information about the  construction of an irrigation dam by Mauryan provincial governor Pushyagupta which clearly proves Chandragupta’s control over western India.

43. A Buddhist Council during the reign of Ashoka was held at which among the following places ?

(a) Magadha
(b) Patliputra
(c) Samastipur
(D) Kashmir

Correct Answer – (b) Patliputra

  • Third Buddhist Council was held in “Pataliputra” during the reign of Ashoka. 
  • The chairperson of this Buddhist Council was Moggaliputta Tissa, the famous Buddhist scholar.

44. Language used in the inscriptions of Ashoka was which among the following ? (BPSC – 2000)

(a) Sanskrit
(b) Prakrit
(c) Pali
(d) Hindi

Correct Answer – (b) Prakrit

  • Most of the inscriptions of Ashoka are written in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.

45. Who first deciphered the Brahmi Script ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) A. Cunningham
(b) A.H. Dani
(c) Buhler
(d) James Prinsep

Correct Answer – (d) James Prinsep

  • James Prinsep was the first scholar who deciphered Ashoka’s inscription (Brahmi script). 
  • The edicts in Brahmi script mentioned a King Devanampiya Piyadassi. 
  • Maski inscription (Karnataka) confirmed the name of ‘Devanampiya Piyadassi’ as ‘Ashoka.’

46. In how many categories did Megasthenese divide the Indian Society ? (BPSC – 2003)

(a) Four
(c) Six
(b) Five
(d) Seven

Correct Answer – (d) Seven

  • Megasthenese divided Mauryan society in seven categories which are as follows:
    • Philosophers 
    • Farmers (3) 
    • Herdsmen 
    • Artisans 
    • Military 
    • Overseers or Spies 
    • Assessors

47. The description of the administration of Pataliputra is available in which among the following ? (BPSC – 2003)

(a) Divyadana
(b) Arthashastra
(c) Indica
(d) Ashoka’s inscriptions

Correct Answer – (c) Indica

  • The description of the administration of Pataliputra is found in Megasthenes ‘Indica. 
  • As per him, the city was administered by a council of 30 members, divided into six boards of five members each.
  • The officer in charge of the city was called the Nagarka.

48. The most famous center of learning during the Mauryan period was ? (BPSC – 2005)

(a) Vaishali
(b) Nalanda
(c) Taxila
(d) Ujjain

Correct Answer – (c) Taxila

  • Taxila was the famous center of learning during the Mauryan period. 
  • It was home to scholars such as the Sanskrit grammarian Kautilya and the physician Charaka.

49. The last Mauryan emperor was ? (BPSC – 2008)

(a) Jaloka
(b) Avanti Verma
(c) Nandi Vardhana
(d) Brihadratha

Correct Answer – (d) Brihadratha

  • Last Mauryan emperor was Brihadratha. 
  • Brihadratha was assassinated by his army commander Pushyamitra Shunga in 184 B.C. 
  • Pushyamitra Shunga established the Shunga Dynasty.

50. Which inscription tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I ? (BPSC – 2011)

(a) Junagadh
(c) Nasik
(b) Bhitari
(d) Sanchi

Correct Answer – (a) Junagadh

  • The Junagadh inscription written in Sanskrit dated 150 AD tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I.
  • The Junagadh inscription credits Rudradaman-I for supporting the cultural arts and Sanskrit literature and reconstructing the dam built by the Mauryas. 
  • It mentions that he repaired the embankments of the lake Sudarshana, which was constructed by the Mauryas for checking floods.

51. Which dynasty ruled over India after the Shunga dynasty ? (BPSC – 2001)

(a) Satavahana
(b) Kushana
(c) Kanva
(d) Gupta

Correct Answer – (c) Kanva

  • The last ruler of the Shunga emperors was Devabhuti. 
  • He was killed by his minister Vasudeva Kanva. 
  • Vasudeva Kanva laid the foundation of the Kanva Dynasty.

52. Art of Gandhara style flourished during the reign of ? (BPSC – 1992)

(a) Kushans
(b) Guptas
(c) Akbar
(d) Mauryas

Correct Answer – (a) Kushans

  • The Gandhara school of art was developed during the Kushana period.
  • Gandhara art was influenced by Greek art.

53. King Kharavela is related to which among the following ?(BPSC – 1999, 2016)

(a) Pillar inscription of Girnar
(b) Pillar inscription of Junagarh
(c) Hathigumpha inscription
(d) Sarnath inscription

Correct Answer – (c) Hathigumpha inscription

  • Kalinga’s king Kharvel is the most famous king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty (which is also termed as ‘Chedi Dynasty’ by some scholars).
  • Kalinga is located in present-day Odisha, India. 
  • Most of the information about Kharavela comes from Hathigumpha inscription, and Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves located in present-day Odisha.

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