UPSC IAS / IPS - MCQ Practice Questions

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE) was contemporary with Egyptian Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE) and Mesopotamian civilizations.

Its script remains undeciphered, there is limited evidence of temples, and it was primarily urban and sedentary, not nomadic.

The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic text (c. 1500-1200 BCE) and consists of 1028 hymns dedicated to various Vedic deities like Indra, Agni, and Soma.

The Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas, Sama Veda contains musical chants, and Atharva Veda contains spells and incantations.

The 16 Mahajanapadas (c. 6th-4th century BCE) included Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, Vatsa, and others in North and Central India.

Pandya was a Sangam Age kingdom in South India, not a recognized Mahajanapada.

Magadha eventually emerged as the dominant power under the Mauryas.

Ashoka's edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars across the Mauryan Empire (c. 260 BCE onwards) are primary sources of his conversion and Dhamma policy.

These Major Rock Edicts and Minor Rock Edicts detail his moral and religious policies.

Greek accounts like Megasthenes' Indica provide supplementary information but edicts are direct evidence.

Samudragupta (c. 335-380 CE) is known as the 'Napoleon of India' for his extensive conquests.

The Allahabad Pillar inscription (Eran Inscription) by Harisena describes his military achievements and presents him as a Chakravartin.

Chandragupta II is known for cultural achievements and Chandragupta I for foundational work.

Sangam literature was composed during the Sangam Age (c. 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) and represents Tamil literature from three literary academies (Sangams).

It provides crucial information about Chola, Chera, and Pandya kingdoms, trade networks, and social structures of South India during this period.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Early Buddhism (Theravada) rejected Vedic authority and caste system, and the Sangha required renunciation.

Statement 3 is incorrect as Bodhisattva concept is central to Mahayana Buddhism, not early Buddhism.

Early Buddhism focused on the individual's path to Nirvana through the Eightfold Path.

While both Buddhism and Jainism reject Vedic authority and emphasize ahimsa, they differ fundamentally on karma.

Jainism believes karma is a material substance that attaches to the soul (Jiva), while Buddhism denies the existence of an eternal soul.

Mahavira's emphasis on karma as material binding force distinguishes Jainism from Buddhist philosophy.

Vishnugupta, also known as Kautilya or Chanakya, was the chief minister and strategist of Chandragupta Maurya (c. 321-297 BCE).

He is credited with helping Chandragupta establish and expand the Mauryan Empire.

Kautilya authored the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and administration.

Archaeological and literary evidence indicates Chola maritime trade extended to Southeast Asian regions (Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia) and possibly Egypt.

Tamil inscriptions found in Southeast Asia and Roman coins found in South India confirm this extensive network.

Trade with China occurred but was not exclusive to China.

The Rigveda, particularly the Purusha Sukta hymn (10.90), contains the earliest systematic reference to the four varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) derived from the cosmic man's body parts.

Vajji (also called Vriji) was a confederacy of republican clans ruled collectively without a monarch.

In contrast, Magadha was ruled by kings like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, Avanti by the Avanti kings, and Kosala by various monarchs.

Rock Edict XIII, inscribed after the bloody conquest of Kalinga (260 BCE), explicitly describes Ashoka's remorse, his conversion to Buddhism, and his commitment to Dhamma (moral law) instead of military conquest.

This marks his transformation from a warrior to a dharma-based ruler.

Fa-hien (also Faxian) visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (c. 375-415 CE) and left detailed accounts of Gupta administration, culture, and Buddhism.

Hiuen-tsang visited during Harsha's reign in the 7th century CE, not the Gupta period.

Sangam literature (c. 300 BCE - 300 CE) predominantly reflects Dravidian and local Tamil culture with minimal Vedic Aryan influence.

It comprises Tamil poems depicting local kingdoms and society, not Vedic themes.

The Sangam works are distinct from Vedic literature.

According to Jain texts, Mahavira (599-527 BCE) renounced his family and kingdom at the age of 30 and pursued ascetic practices for 12 years before attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience).

He was a contemporary of Buddha.

Chandragupta Maurya (r. 321-298 BCE) founded the Maurya Empire with the help of his advisor Kautilya and conquered most of northern India through military campaigns.

Ashoka expanded the empire further and later embraced Buddhism.

Chakravartin (wheel-turner) denoted a paramount sovereign whose suzerainty was acknowledged by other rulers through tributary relationships.

It involved ritualistic chakravala (circular) conquests where enemies submitted peacefully.

This concept is found in Sanskrit texts and ancient Indian political theory.

The Satavahana dynasty (c. 60 BCE - 27 CE) showed dual patronage to Buddhism (evidenced by stupas) and Brahminical Hinduism (Yajnas).

It controlled the Deccan and parts of central and western India.

It was post-Mauryan and had no genealogical connection to Ashoka's line.

Mohenjo-daro is renowned for its advanced urban planning features including a sophisticated drainage system with underground sewers, standardized brick sizes, and uniform weights and measures.

These indicate a high degree of civic organization in the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE).