The Post – Mauryan India 6th Social Science Lesson 25 Questions in English

6th Social Science Lesson 25 Questions in English

25] The Post – Mauryan India

1. Who among the following invaded India from north west after decline of Mauryan empire?

1) Sakas

2) Bactrian Greeks

3) Marathas

4) Scythians

a) 1, 2, 3

b) 1, 3, 4

c) 1, 2, 4

d) All the above

Explanation

The break-up of Mauryan Empire resulted in the invasions of Sakas, Scythians, Parthians, Indo-Greeks or Bactrian Greeks and Kushanas from the north-west.

2. Who become independent in south India after death of Ashoka?

a) Chola

b) Cheras

c) Pandyas

d) Satavahanas

Explanation

In the south, Satavahanas became independent after Asoka’s death. There were Sungas and Kanvas in the north before the emergence of Gupta dynasty. Chedis (Kalinga) declared their independence.

3. Magadha is continued to be a great centre of_____ culture after its decline

a) Jainism

b) Buddhist

c) Saivaism

d) Sufism

Explanation

It has to be noted here that, though Magadha ceased to be the premier state of India, it continued to be a great centre of Buddhist culture

4. Match the following

I. Ayodhya Inscription 1. Taxila copper plate

II. Nakshi Rustam Inscriptions 2. Dana Deva

III. Moga 3. Persepolis

a) 2, 1, 3

b) 3, 1, 2

c) 2, 3, 1

d) 1, 3, 2

Explanation

Archaeological Sources of Post Mauryan:

• Ayodhya Inscription of Dana Deva

• Persepolis, Nakshi Rustam Inscriptions

• Moga(Taxila copper plate)

• Junagadh/Girnar Inscription

• Nasik Prasasti

• Inscription of Darius I

5. Match the following

I. Harshacharita 1. Asvaghosha

II. Brihastkatha 2. Banabhatta

III. Buddhacharita 3. Gunadhya

IV. Malavikagnimitra 4. Kalidasa

a) 3, 1, 2, 4

b) 2, 3, 1, 4

c) 2, 1, 3, 4

d) 1, 4, 2, 3

Explanation

• Harshacharita of Banabhatta

• Mahabhasya of Patanjali

• Brihastkatha of Gunadhya

• Madhyamika Sutra of Nagarjuna

• Buddhacharita of Asvaghosha

• Malavikagnimitra of Kalidasa

6. Who among the following is the last Mauryan empire?

a) Ashoka

b) Brihadratha

c) Kalasoka

d) Chandragupta Maurya

Explanation

The last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his own general, Pushyamitra Sunga, who established his Sunga dynasty in Magadha.

7. Pushyamitra made____ as his capital.

a) Delhi

b) Ujjain

c) Vidisha

d) Pataliputra

Explanation

Pushyamitra made Pataliputra as his capital. Pushyamitra’s kingdom extended westward to include Ujjain and Vidisha. He successfully repulsed the invasion of Bactria king, Menander. But Menander managed to keep Kabul and Sindh.

8. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Pushyamitra thwarted an attack from the Kalinga king Kharavela

2) He was a staunch follower of Buddhism

3) He performed two Asvamedha yagnas (horse sacrifices) to assert his imperial authority.

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Pushyamitra thwarted an attack from the Kalinga king Kharavela. He also conquered Vidarba. He was a staunch follower of Vedic religion. He performed two Asvamedha yagnas (horse sacrifices) to assert his imperial authority.

9. Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son______

a) Dhanananda

b) Mahapadma Nanda

c) Agnimitra

d) Vayumitra

Explanation

During the Sunga period, stone was replaced by wood in the railings and the gateways of the Buddhist stupas as seen in Bharhut and Sanchi. Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son Agnimitra.

10. _____ is said to be the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra.

a) Pushyamitra

b) Agnimitra

c) Vayumitra

d) Ashoka

Explanation

Agnimitra is said to be the hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitra. The drama also refers to the victory of Vasumitra, Agnimitra’s son, over the Greeks on the banks of the Sindhu river.

11. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The weak successors of Sungas constantly faced threats from the Indo-Bactrians and Indo-Parthian

2) The Sunga dynasty lasted for about one hundred years

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

The weak successors of Sungas constantly faced threats from the Indo- Bactrians and Indo-Parthians. The Sunga dynasty lasted for about one hundred years.

12. The last Sunga king was_____

a) Pushyamitra

b) Agnimitra

c) Vayumitra

d) Devabhuti

Explanation

The last Sunga king was Devabhuti. He was killed by his own minister Vasudeva Kanva. Vasudeva established the rule of Kanva dynasty in Magadha.

13. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The Sungas played an important role in defending the Gangetic Valley from the encroachments of the Bactrian Greeks

2) Pushyamitra, and then his successors, revived Vedic religious practices and promoted Vaishnavism

3) Sanskrit gradually gained ascendancy and became the court language

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

The Sungas played an important role in defending the Gangetic Valley from the encroachments of the Bactrian Greeks. Pushyamitra, and then his successors, revived Vedic religious practices and promoted Vaishnavism. Sanskrit gradually gained ascendancy and became the court language

14. Who patronized Patanjali?

a) Pushyamitra

b) Agnimitra

c) Vayumitra

d) Devabhuti

Explanation

Patanjali, the second grammarian in Sanskrit, was patronized by Pushyamitra. Though Pushyamitra persecuted Buddhists, during his reign the Buddhist monuments at Bharhut and Sanchi were renovated and further improved. The Great Stupa of Sanchi and the railings, which enclose it, belong to the Sunga period.

15. _____ was a contemporary of the Sungas

a) Mahapadma Nanda

b) Kakatiyas

c) Kharavela

d) Kalasoka

Explanation

King Kharavela of Kalinga was a contemporary of the Sungas. We get information about Kharavela from the Hathigumpha Inscription.

16. For how many years Kanvas empire lasted?

a) 100

b) 500

c) 200

d) 45

Explanation

The Kanva dynasty produced four kings and their rule lasted only for 45 years. The history of Magadha after the fall of the Kanvas is devoid of any significance until the emergence of the Gupta dynasty.

17. Who among the following is not a Kanva ruler?

a) Vasudeva

b) Bhumi Mitra

c) Bimbisara

d) Narayana

Explanation

The Kanva rulers were

• Vasudeva

• Bhumi Mitra

• Narayana

• Susarman

18. The last Kanva ruler Susarman was assassinated by______

a) Mahima

b) Simuka

c) Agnimitra

d) Vayumitra

Explanation

The last Kanva ruler Susarman was assassinated by his powerful feudatory chief of Andhra named Simuka, who laid the foundation of the Satavahana dynasty.

19. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Simuka, the founder of the Satavahana dynasty, is said to have ruled for twenty-three years

2) The Kushanas in the north and the Satavahanas (Andhra’s) in the south flourished for about 300 years and 450 years, respectively

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

The Kushanas in the north and the Satavahanas (Andhra’s) in the south flourished for about 300 years and 450 years, respectively. Simuka, the founder of the Satavahana dynasty, is said to have ruled for twenty-three years.

20. Who was the successor of Simuka?

a) Vrishi

b) Krishna

c) Narayana

d) Satakarni

Explanation

Simuka successor was his brother Krishna. The latter and his nephew Satakarni ruled for ten years each, establishing an empire, holding control over a vast area stretching from Rajasthan in the northwest to Andhra in the southeast and from Gujarat in the west to Kalinga in the east.

21. Who is said to have performed Asvamedha yagna?

a) Narayana

b) Krishna

c) Satakarni

d) Simuka

Explanation

Satakarni is said to have performed two horse sacrifices (Asvamedha yagna), indicative of his imperial position.

22. _____ was the greatest ruler of the Satavahanas family

a) Narayana

b) Krishna

c) Simuka

d) Gautamiputra Satakarni

Explanation

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of the family. In the Nasik prashasti, published by his mother Gautami Balasri, Gautamiputra Satakarni is described as the destroyer of Sakas, Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parthians). The extent of the empire is also mentioned in the record.

23. ____ inscriptions suggest that South India played an important role in the process of early state formation in Southeast Asia

a) Ashoka

b) Manapari

c) Bogor

d) Hathigumba

Explanation

The Bogor inscriptions suggest that South India played an important role in the process of early state formation in Southeast Asia.

24. The Satavahana king Hala was himself a great scholar of____

a) Prakrit

b) Sanskrit

c) Bharmi

d) Tamil

Explanation

The Satavahana king Hala was himself a great scholar of Sanskrit. The Kantara school of Sanskrit flourished in the Deccan in second century B.C.

25. Sattasai contains___ stanzas

a) 200

b) 700

c) 500

d) 300

Explanation

King Hala is famous as the author of Sattasai (Saptasati), 700 stanzas in Prakrit. The Satavahana rulers were great builders.

26. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The world-famous life-size statues of Buddha at Bamyan valley on the mountains of the erstwhile north-western frontiers of ancient India

2) It is currently in central Afghanistan and recently destroyed by the Talibans

3) It is carved out of the solid rocks by the dedicated artists of the Gandhara School of Art during the post-Mauryan period

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

The world-famous life-size statues of Buddha at Bamyan valley on the mountains of the erstwhile north-western frontiers of ancient India (currently in central Afghanistan and recently destroyed by the Talibans), were carved out of the solid rocks by the dedicated artists of the Gandhara School of Art during the post-Mauryan period.

27. A bronze statue of the standing Buddha discovered in_____

a) Cuba

b) Vietnam

c) Malaysia

d) Japan

Explanation

A bronze statue of the standing Buddha discovered in Oc-Eo (an archaeological site in Vietnam) resembles the Amaravati style.

28. The later Satavahana kings issued____ coins

a) Bronze

b) Gold

c) Lead

d) a or c

Explanation

The later Satavahana kings issued lead or bronze coins depicting ships with two masts. A stone seal discovered in Nakhon Pathom in Thailand has the same design.

29. The Mathura School of Sculpture produced images and life-size statues of_____ deities

1) Buddhist

2) Jain

3) Brahmanical

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Gandhara, Madhura, Amaravati, Bodh Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut were known for splendid monuments and art. The Mathura School of Sculpture produced images and life-size statues of the Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain deities.

30. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

1) After the conquest of north-western India and the Punjab region, Alexander the Great left the conquered territories under provincial governors

2) Two of its eastern satrapies, Bactria and Parthia, revolted under their Greek Governors and declared their independence

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

After the conquest of north-western India and the Punjab region, Alexander the Great left the conquered territories under provincial governors. Two of its eastern satrapies, Bactria and Parthia, revolted under their Greek Governors and declared their independence.

31. The satrapy of Bactria became independent under the leadership of_____

a) Arsaces

b) Diodotus- I

c) Loctus

d) Manhajns

Explanation

Two of its eastern satrapies, Bactria and Parthia, revolted under their Greek Governors and declared their independence. The satrapy of Bactria became independent under the leadership of Diodotus I and Parthia under Arsaces.

32. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) After the decline of the Mauryan empire, the Greek rulers of Bactria and Parthia started encroaching into the north-western border lands of India

2) The Bactrian and Parthian settlers gradually inter-married and inter-mixed with the indigenous population.

3) This facilitated the establishment of Indo-Greek and Indo-Parthian colonies along the north-western part of India.

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

After the decline of the Mauryan empire, the Greek rulers of Bactria and Parthia started encroaching into the north-western border lands of India. The Bactrian and Parthian settlers gradually inter-married and inter-mixed with the indigenous population. This facilitated the establishment of Indo-Greek and Indo-Parthian colonies along the north-western part of India.

33. _____ was the son of Greco-Bactrian ruler Euthydemus

a) Demetrius I

b) Diodotus I

c) Arsaces

d) None

Explanation

Demetrius I – He was the son of Greco-Bactrian ruler Euthydemus. He was king of Macedonia from 294 to 288 BC (BCE). Numismatic evidence proves that Demetrius issued bi-lingual square coins with Greek on the obverse and Kharosthi on the reverse.

34. When did Yavana era commenced?

a) 2nd BCE

b) 2nd CE

c) 3rd BCE

d) 3rd CE

Explanation

Scholars are not able to decide which of the three, named Demetrius, was the initiator of the Yavana era, commencing from second century BC (BCE) in India.

35. ____ was one of the best-known Indo-Greek kings.

a) Menander

b) Demetrius

c) Arsaces

d) Diodotus

Explanation

Menander– He was one of the best-known Indo-Greek kings. He is said to have ruled a large kingdom in the north-west of the country.

36. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Menander coins were found over an extensive area ranging from Kabul valley and Indus river to western Uttar Pradesh

2) Milinda Panha, a Buddhist text, is a discourse between Bactrian king Milinda and the learned Buddhist scholar Nagasena

3) Menander is believed to have become a Saivate

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Menander s coins were found over an extensive area ranging from Kabul valley and Indus river to western Uttar Pradesh. Milinda Panha, a Buddhist text, is a discourse between Bactrian king Milinda and the learned Buddhist scholar Nagasena. This Milinda is identified with Menander. Menander is believed to have become a Buddhist and promoted Buddhism.

37. Indians learnt the art of Coinage from____

a) Sakas

b) Indo- Greek

c) Indo- Bactria

d) Kushans

Explanation

Indo-Greek rulers introduced a die system and produced properly shaped coins with inscription, symbols and engraved figures on them. Indians learnt this art from them.

38. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The Gandhara School of Indian Art is heavily indebted to Greek influence

2) The Hinayana Buddhists learnt the art of carving out caves from them

3) The Greeks were good cave builders

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

The Gandhara School of Indian Art is heavily indebted to Greek influence. The Greeks were good cave builders. The Mahayana Buddhists learnt the art of carving out caves from them and became skilled in rock-cut architecture.

39. The Indo-Greek rule in India was ended by_____

a) Bactrians

b) Kushans

c) Satavahans

d) Sakas

Explanation

The Indo-Greek rule in India was ended by the Sakas. Sakas as nomads came in huge number and spread all over northern and western India.

40. The Sakas were against the tribe of____ nomads

a) Iranian

b) Turki

c) Lothal

d) Greek

Explanation

The Indo-Greek rule in India was ended by the Sakas. Sakas as nomads came in huge number and spread all over northern and western India. The Sakas were against the tribe of Turki nomads.

41. Sakas were Scythians, nomadic ancient_____

a) Greeks

b) Parthian

c) Iranians

d) Turks

Explanation

The Sakas were against the tribe of Turki nomads. Sakas were Scythians, nomadic ancient Iranians, and known as Sakas in Sanskrit.

42. Saka rule was founded by_____

a) Confusius

b) Maos

c) Rishaba

d) Unknown

Explanation

Saka rule was founded by Maos or Mogain in the Gandhara region and his capital was ‘Sirkap’.

43. Maos coins bear images of_____

1) Buddha

2) Siva

3) Vishnu

a) 1 alone

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) 1, 2

Explanation

Saka rule was founded by Maos or Mogain name is mentioned in Mora inscription. His coins bear images of Buddha and Siva.

44. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Indo-Parthians came after the Indo-Greeks and the Indo-Scythians who were, in turn, defeated by the Kushanas in the second half of the first century AD (CE)

2) The domain of Indo-Parthians comprised Kabul and Gandhara.

3) The name of Gondophernes is associated with the Christian apostle St. Thomas

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Indo-Parthians came after the Indo-Greeks and the Indo-Scythians who were, in turn, defeated by the Kushanas in the second half of the first century AD (CE). Indo-Parthian kingdom or Gondopharid dynasty was founded by Gondophernes. The domain of Indo-Parthians comprised Kabul and Gandhara. The name of Gondophernes is associated with the Christian apostle St. Thomas. According to Christian tradition, St. Thomas visited the court of Gondophernes and converted him to Christianity.

45. ____ was the most important and famous king of Sakas

a) Wheeler

b) Rudradaman

c) Sakamuni

d) Atheyas

Explanation

Rudradaman was the most important and famous king of Sakas. His Junagadh/Girnar inscription was the first inscription in chaste Sanskrit. In India, the Sakas were assimilated into Indian society.

46. The Kushanas inhabited_____

a) Nepal

b) China

c) Myanmar

d) Pakistan

Explanation

The Kushanas formed a section of the yueh-chi tribes, who inhabited north western China in the remote past.

47. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) By the beginning of Christian era, all the yueh-chi tribes had acknowledged the supremacy of the Kushanas

2) They had shed their nomadic habits and settled down in the Bactrian and Parthian lands

3) The Kushanas overran Bactria and Parthia and gradually established themselves in northern India

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

By the beginning of Christian era, all the yueh-chi tribes had acknowledged the supremacy of the Kushanas; they had shed their nomadic habits and settled down in the Bactrian and Parthian lands, adjacent to the north-western border of India. The Kushanas overran Bactria and Parthia and gradually established themselves in northern India.

48. Kushana rulers were_____

a) Jains

b) Buddhist

c) Saivaite

d) Islam

Explanation

Kushana rulers were Buddhists. Takshashila and Mathura continued to be great centres of Buddhist learning, attracting students from China and western Asia.

49. ____ was the greatest of all the Kushana emperors

a) Karavela

b) Kanishka

c) Ashvagosha

d) Milanada

Explanation

Kanishka was the greatest of all the Kushana emperors. Kanishka assumed the sovereignty in 78 CE

50. The Kushana capital initially was____

a) Ujjain

b) Pataliputra

c) Kabul

d) Lahore

Explanation

Kanishka proclaimed his rule by the foundation of a new era, which later became Saka era. The Kushana capital initially was Kabul. Later, it was shifted to Peshavar or Purushpura.

51. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Kadphises I was the first famous military and political leader of the Kushanas

2) He extended his power in Kabul, Gandhara and up to the Indus

3) He overthrew the Indo-Greek and Indo-Parthian rulers and established himself as a sovereign ruler of Bactria.

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Kadphises I was the first famous military and political leader of the Kushanas. He extended his power in Kabul, Gandhara and up to the Indus. He overthrew the Indo-Greek and Indo-Parthian rulers and established himself as a sovereign ruler of Bactria.

52. Kadphises II maintained friendly relations with____

1) China

2) Burma

3) Rome

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Kadphises II maintained a friendly relationship with the emperors of China and Rome. He encouraged trade and commerce with foreign countries.

53. Which of the following statement about Kanishka is correct?

1) Kanishka conquered and annexed Kashmir

2) He defeated the Chinese general Pan-Chiang and safeguarded the northern borders of India from Chinese intrusion

3) He waged a successful war against Magadha

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Kanishka conquered and annexed Kashmir. He waged a successful war against Magadha. He also waged a war against a ruler of Parthia to maintain safety and integrity in his vast empire on the western and south-western border. After the conquest of Kashmir and Gandhara, he turned his attention towards China. He defeated the Chinese general Pan-Chiang and safeguarded the northern borders of India from Chinese intrusion.

54. What was the south extend of Kanishka empire?

a) Benaras

b) Vindhaya mountain

c) Satpura mountain

d) Deccan plateau

Explanation

Kanishka empire extended from Kashmir down to Benaras, and the Vindhya mountain in the south. It included Kashgar, Yarkhand touching the borders of Persia and Parthia.

55. Kanishka adopted Buddhism under the influence of_____

a) Vasumitra

b) Asvaghosha

c) Nagarjuna

d) Valmiki

Explanation

Kanishka was an ardent Buddhist. Kanishka’s empire was a Buddhist empire. Kanishka adopted Buddhism under the influence of Asvaghosha, a celebrated monk from Pataliputra.

56. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Kanishka made Buddhism as the state religion

2) He built many stupas and monasteries in Mathura, Taxila and many other parts of his kingdom

3) He sent Buddhist missionaries to Tibet, China and many countries of Central Asia for the propagation of Buddha’s gospel

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

Kanishka made Buddhism as the state religion and built many stupas and monasteries in Mathura, Taxila and many other parts of his kingdom. He sent Buddhist missionaries to Tibet, China and many countries of Central Asia for the propagation of Buddha’s gospel.

57. Kanishka organised the____ Buddhist Council at Kundalavana

a) 3rd

b) 1st

c) 2nd

d) 4th

Explanation

Kanishka organised the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana near Srinagar to sort out the differences between the various schools of Buddhism. It was only in this council that Buddhism was split into Hinayanism and Mahayanism.

58. Who among the following are the scholars of Kanishka?

1) Asvaghosha

2) Vasumitra

3) Panini

4) Nagarjuna

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3, 4

c) 1, 2, 4

d) All the above

Explanation

Kanishka was a great patron of art and literature. His court was adorned with a number of Buddhist saints and scholars, like Asvaghosha, Vasumitra and Nagarjuna

59. Kanishka founded the town of Kanishkapura in____

a) Kerala

b) Kashmir

c) Meghalaya

d) Ujjain

Explanation

Kanishka founded the town of Kanishkapura in Kashmir and furnished the capital of Purushapura with magnificent public buildings.

60. Which empire corresponded with the last days of the Roman Republic?

a) Sakas

b) Kushana

c) Mauryas

d) Nanda

Explanation

Kushana Empire corresponded with the last days of the Roman Republic, when Julius Caesar was alive. It is said that Kushana Emperor sent a great embassy to Augustus Caesar.

61. Which of the following statement is correct about Kanishka reign?

1) The Gandhara School of Art flourished during his time.

2) Buddhist learning and culture was taken to China and Mongolia from Takshashila

3) Kanishka’s successors were weak and incompetent

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) All the above

Explanation

The Gandhara School of Art flourished during his time. The most favorite subject of the Gandhara artists was the carving of sculptures of Buddha. Buddhist learning and culture was taken to China and Mongolia from Takshashila. The great Asiatic culture mingled with Indian Buddhist culture during the Kushana’s time. Kanishka’s successors were weak and incompetent. Kushana empire rapidly disintegrated into number of small principalities.