BPSC (Bihar) - MCQ Practice Questions

Calculation: Monsoon rainfall = 60% of 1200 mm = 0.60 × 1200 = 720 mm. This represents the monsoon contribution to the total annual rainfall.

Land for wheat = 30% of 50 = 0.30 × 50 = 15 hectares. Remaining land = 50 - 15 = 35 hectares. This remaining land can be used for other crops.

Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, was born in Patna on December 22, 1666. The Patna Sahib Gurudwara commemorates his birthplace.

The Bengal Famine of 1770 was caused by a combination of poor harvests, drought, and the exploitative tax policies of the British East India Company. Bihar, as part of Bengal, suffered severe famine and loss of life.

Modern Patna is built on the site of ancient Pataliputra, the great city of the Mauryan Empire. Patna retains many historical sites from this ancient period.

Nalanda University, one of the world's oldest universities (5th to 12th century CE), is located in Nalanda district. It was a major center for Buddhist learning and attracted scholars from across Asia.

# Historical Analysis: Mauryan Emperor and Buddhism

This question tests knowledge of Mauryan dynasty history and the relationship between its rulers and Buddhism.

Step 1: Identifying Chandragupta Maurya's Life Journey

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire (322-298 BCE) who built a vast empire through military conquest and strategic governance. After ruling successfully for many years, he renounced his throne and worldly possessions to embrace Jainism, eventually becoming a monk and spending his final years in meditation at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.

Step 2: Eliminating Other Options

Ashoka (grandson of Chandragupta) became a Buddhist following the bloodshed of the Kalinga War but remained emperor; he never renounced his throne. Bindusara (son of Chandragupta) was primarily a secular ruler with no major religious renunciation. Samprati (Ashoka's grandson) was a later ruler and never renounced his throne.

The correct answer is (A) Chandragupta Maurya — he is the only Mauryan emperor who actually renounced his throne to become a religious monk.

Vardhamana Mahavira (599-527 BCE), also known as Mahavira, was the founder and 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born in Vaishali, Bihar, and preached the principles of non-violence and asceticism.

Koderma district in Jharkhand (formerly part of Bihar) is known for its rich diamond and mica reserves. It has been an important mining region for gemstones in India.

The Bodhi Tree is located in Bodh Gaya, which is in Bihar itself (in Gaya district). Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under this sacred fig tree around 500 BCE.

The Gram Sabha System, established under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, strengthened local democratic governance at the village level in Bihar, empowering villagers to participate in decision-making.

Vaishali is mentioned in the Mahabharata as an ancient city of the Vajji confederacy. It was also the birthplace of Mahavira and hosted Buddha's last sermon.

The Champaran Satyagraha was a non-violent resistance movement against the indigo plantation system in Champaran district, where peasants were forced to cultivate indigo for British merchants under exploitative conditions.

Nalanda University was destroyed during the invasions by Turkic rulers in the 12th century, particularly by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193 CE, which led to the decline of Buddhist learning in India.

The Battle of Buxar was fought between the British East India Company and the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal (Mir Kasim), the Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The British victory established their supremacy in India.

Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) was a prominent freedom fighter from Bihar who actively participated in the Quit India Movement. He later became famous for leading the social reform movement in independent India.

Marks from correct answers = 120 × 1 = 120 marks. Marks deducted for wrong answers = 15 × $\frac{1}{3}$ = 5 marks. Total marks = 120 - 5 = 115 marks. Unanswered questions = 150 - 120 - 15 = 15 (no marks, no deduction).

The Licchavi Kingdom was a republican confederacy where power was distributed among several clans and ruled through an assembly. This early democratic system was admired by Buddha himself.

The Ashoka Pillar capital discovered at Patna features four lions facing the four cardinal directions. This lion capital became the national emblem of independent India.

Mithila, the ancient kingdom mentioned in Hindu scriptures, corresponds to the Darbhanga and Madhubani regions of present-day Bihar. It was the kingdom of King Janaka and the birthplace of Sita according to Hindu mythology.