UPSC Static Quiz – Ancient & Medieval India : 7 August 2024

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding Religion during Later Vedic period. The importance of sacrifices declined and that of prayers increased. Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni became more prominent during the Later Vedic period. Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1, 3 b) 1, 2 c) 3 only d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: c) Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance. Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent during the Later Vedic period. Sacrifices were still important and the rituals connected with them became more elaborate. The importance of prayers declined and that of sacrifices increased. Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one. Incorrect Solution: c) Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance. Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent during the Later Vedic period. Sacrifices were still important and the rituals connected with them became more elaborate. The importance of prayers declined and that of sacrifices increased. Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Religion during Later Vedic period.

• The importance of sacrifices declined and that of prayers increased.

• Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni became more prominent during the Later Vedic period.

• Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: c)

Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance.

Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent during the Later Vedic period. Sacrifices were still important and the rituals connected with them became more elaborate. The importance of prayers declined and that of sacrifices increased. Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one.

Solution: c)

Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding the principal features of Later Vedic Period. Larger kingdoms were absent during the later Vedic period. A number of new officials like treasury officer, tax collector and royal messenger were involved in the administration in addition to the existing purohita, senani and gramani. Iron was not used in this period and instead copper was used extensively. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period. Many jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period. In the later Vedic period, a large number of new officials were involved in the administration in addition to the existing purohita, senani and gramani. They include the treasury officer, tax collector and royal messenger. Iron was used extensively in this period and this enabled the people to clear forests and to bring more land under cultivation. Agriculture became the chief occupation. Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period. Many jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period. In the later Vedic period, a large number of new officials were involved in the administration in addition to the existing purohita, senani and gramani. They include the treasury officer, tax collector and royal messenger. Iron was used extensively in this period and this enabled the people to clear forests and to bring more land under cultivation. Agriculture became the chief occupation.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the principal features of Later Vedic Period.

• Larger kingdoms were absent during the later Vedic period.

• A number of new officials like treasury officer, tax collector and royal messenger were involved in the administration in addition to the existing purohita, senani and gramani.

• Iron was not used in this period and instead copper was used extensively.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

• Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period. Many jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period.

• In the later Vedic period, a large number of new officials were involved in the administration in addition to the existing purohita, senani and gramani. They include the treasury officer, tax collector and royal messenger.

• Iron was used extensively in this period and this enabled the people to clear forests and to bring more land under cultivation. Agriculture became the chief occupation.

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

• Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period. Many jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period.

• Iron was used extensively in this period and this enabled the people to clear forests and to bring more land under cultivation. Agriculture became the chief occupation.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding the socio-economic condition during later vedic-period. Women gained significant political privileges during later Vedic period. Child marriages were almost absent during this period. Gold and Silver coins were used as medium of exchange. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1, 2 b) 1, 3 c) 3 only d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: c) There was no improvement in the status of women. They were still considered inferior and subordinate to men. Women also lost their political rights of attending assemblies. Besides nishka of the Rig Vedic period, gold and silver coins like satamana and krishnala were used as medium of exchange. Child marriages had become common. According the Aitreya Brahmana a daughter has been described as a source of misery. Incorrect Solution: c) There was no improvement in the status of women. They were still considered inferior and subordinate to men. Women also lost their political rights of attending assemblies. Besides nishka of the Rig Vedic period, gold and silver coins like satamana and krishnala were used as medium of exchange. Child marriages had become common. According the Aitreya Brahmana a daughter has been described as a source of misery.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the socio-economic condition during later vedic-period.

• Women gained significant political privileges during later Vedic period.

• Child marriages were almost absent during this period.

• Gold and Silver coins were used as medium of exchange.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: c)

• There was no improvement in the status of women. They were still considered inferior and subordinate to men. Women also lost their political rights of attending assemblies.

• Besides nishka of the Rig Vedic period, gold and silver coins like satamana and krishnala were used as medium of exchange.

• Child marriages had become common. According the Aitreya Brahmana a daughter has been described as a source of misery.

Solution: c)

• There was no improvement in the status of women. They were still considered inferior and subordinate to men. Women also lost their political rights of attending assemblies.

• Besides nishka of the Rig Vedic period, gold and silver coins like satamana and krishnala were used as medium of exchange.

• Child marriages had become common. According the Aitreya Brahmana a daughter has been described as a source of misery.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding taxation during mahajanapadas. Taxes on crops were the most important and it was fixed at 1/6th of the produce. There were taxes on crafts persons and it was in the form of labour. Hunters and gatherers were not taxed. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. The Mahajanapadas were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE. Taxes As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were (a) building huge forts (b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the raja of the janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes. Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share. There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king. Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce. There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade. And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. The Mahajanapadas were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE. Taxes As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were (a) building huge forts (b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the raja of the janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes. Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share. There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king. Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce. There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade. And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements regarding taxation during mahajanapadas.

• Taxes on crops were the most important and it was fixed at 1/6th of the produce.

• There were taxes on crafts persons and it was in the form of labour.

• Hunters and gatherers were not taxed.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Mahajanapadas were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE.

Taxes

As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were

(a) building huge forts

(b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources.

• And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the raja of the janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes.

• Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.

• There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.

• Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.

• There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.

• And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Mahajanapadas were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE.

Taxes

As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were

(a) building huge forts

(b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources.

• And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the raja of the janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes.

• Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.

• There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.

• Herders were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.

• There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.

• And hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produce to the raja.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Who among the following was the last Mauryan king? a) Ashoka b) Dasaratha c) Kunala d) Brihatratha Correct Solution: d) Ashoka’s death in 232 B.C. was followed by the division of the Mauryan Empire into two parts – western and eastern. The western part was ruled by Kunala, son of Ashoka and the eastern part by Dasaratha, one of the grand sons of Ashoka. Due to the Bactrian invasions, the western part of the empire collapsed. The eastern part was intact under Samprati successor of Dasaratha. The last Mauryan king was Brihatratha, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga. Incorrect Solution: d) Ashoka’s death in 232 B.C. was followed by the division of the Mauryan Empire into two parts – western and eastern. The western part was ruled by Kunala, son of Ashoka and the eastern part by Dasaratha, one of the grand sons of Ashoka. Due to the Bactrian invasions, the western part of the empire collapsed. The eastern part was intact under Samprati successor of Dasaratha. The last Mauryan king was Brihatratha, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga.

#### 5. Question

Who among the following was the last Mauryan king?

• b) Dasaratha

• d) Brihatratha

Solution: d)

Ashoka’s death in 232 B.C. was followed by the division of the Mauryan Empire into two parts – western and eastern. The western part was ruled by Kunala, son of Ashoka and the eastern part by Dasaratha, one of the grand sons of Ashoka. Due to the Bactrian invasions, the western part of the empire collapsed. The eastern part was intact under Samprati successor of Dasaratha. The last Mauryan king was Brihatratha, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga.

Solution: d)

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