SSC GK Free Ebook with 400+ Free Questions.pdf

SSC CHAPTER WISE : THEORY + MCQs BOOKS SSC GD CONSTABLE SSC CHAPTER WISE : MCQs BOOKS GENERAL SCIENCE | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE | HISTORY | GEOGRAPHY | POLITY | ECONOMICS | ART & CULTURE | MISCELLANEOUS TOPIC...

SSC CHAPTER WISE : THEORY + MCQs BOOKS SSC GD CONSTABLE SSC CHAPTER WISE : MCQs BOOKS GENERAL SCIENCE | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE | HISTORY | GEOGRAPHY | POLITY | ECONOMICS | ART & CULTURE | MISCELLANEOUS TOPIC USEFUL FOR SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC Selection Post, SSC GD , RRB NTPC & GROUP D & Other Govt. Exams... Based on latest TCS Pattern  Table of Content Page No. 1. Ancient History................................................................................................................................................ 1 - 12 Stone Age & Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mahajanapada & Rise of Magadh Period, Buddhism & Jainism, Mauryan & Post Mauryan Empire, Gupta & Post Guptas Age 2. Medieval History............................................................................................................................................. 13 - 26 Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Later Mughals, Arabic Invasion, Southern Dynasty, Maratha, Regional Kingdoms & Religious Movements 3. Modern History......................................................................................................................................... 27 - 45 Rise of East India Company & British Administration, Socio - Religious Reform Movements, The Great Revolt of 1857, Pre Congress Phase, Indian National Congress & Congress Sessions, National Movement (1885 - 1919), National Movement (1919 - 1939), Freedom to Partition (1939-1947), Governor General & Viceroys, Other Dimensions, Post Independence Events 4. World Geography.................................................................................................................................... 46 - 57 Solar System, Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Biogeography, Important Locations around the World 5. Indian Geography.................................................................................................................................... 58 - 78 Physiographic Division & Locations of India, Indian Rivers & Water Resources, Soil Distribution, Forest Distribution, Major Crops Grown in India, Mineral & Energy Resources, Demography, Transport & Communication, Census Data 6. Polity........................................................................................................................................................... 79 - 107 Basic of Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, Important Articles, Important Parts & Schedules, Important Acts, Important Amendments, Central Government, State Government, Judiciary, Local Government, Constitutional & Non Constitutional Bodies 7. Economy..................................................................................................................................................... 108 - 130 Economic Concepts & Theories, Methods of measuring National Income, Money & Functions, Five Year Plans, Agriculture, Industrial Sector, Initiatives by Government, Inflation & Employment, Economic Reforms since 1991 8. Biology........................................................................................................................................................ 131 - 154 Cell, Genetics & Evolution, Biomolecules, Zoology, Botany, Human Body, Human Diseases 9. Chemistry................................................................................................................................................... 155 - 178 Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Solutions, Properties of Elements & Compounds, Periodic Table, Compounds & its uses, Acid, Base & Alkali, Gases & its Laws, Chemical Reaction, Carbon & its Compounds, Metals & Non-Metals 10. Physics........................................................................................................................................................ 179 - 193 Units, Dimensions & Formula, Gravity, Motion & Forces, Wave & Optics, Heat, Electricity & Magnetism, Laws & Principles, Measuring Instruments 11. Computer................................................................................................................................................... 194 - 205 Basics of Computers, Memory, Microsoft Office, Keyboard Shortcuts, Abbreviations, Computer Fundamentals and Terminologies 12. Environmental Science........................................................................................................................... 206 - 211 Ecology & Functions of Ecosystem, Environmental Pollution & Problems, National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary & Biosphere Reserve 13. Art and Culture......................................................................................................................................... 212 - 238 Architecture, Paintings, Language & Literature, Music, Dances, Fairs & Festivals 14. Static GK.................................................................................................................................................... 239 - 277 Awards & Honours, Books & Authors, Important Institutions, Committees & Recommendations, Science & Technology, Days & Events, Government Policies & Schemes, Famous People, Famous Places, Sports CHAPTER꞉ 1 ANCIENT HISTORY 13. Which of the following rivers would you associate primarily with the Harappan civilization? [SSC Selection Post 2022] STONE AGE & INDUS VALLEY A) Sutlej B) Beas CIVILIZATION C) Indus D) Chenab 14. The duration of the Mesolithic period is from about ______ 1. Which of the following were NOT a part of a citadel in years ago to ______ years ago. [SSC CGL 2022] Harrapan architecture? [SSC CPO 2022] A) 14000, 10000 B) 17000, 12000 A) Storehouses for grains B) Great Bath for important C) 12000, 10000 D) 10000, 7000 people 15. Which of the following Harappan town was located on C) Fire altars for religious D) Residential buildings for Khadir Beyt in the Runn of Kutch and was divided into three ceremonies masses parts? [SSC CHSL 2023] 2. During which of the following period Ostriches were found A) Sotka-koh B) Chanhudaro in India? [SSC CGL 2022] C) Surkotada D) Dholavira A) Mesolithic B) Chalcolithic 16. Which of the following metal traces were found in C) Neolithic D) Palaeolithic chemical analyses of both Omani copper and Harappan 3. Which of the following type of house remains were found in artefacts suggesting a common origin? Mehrgarh site of Harappan civilization? [SSC CGL 2022] [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Triangular or circular B) Rectangular or circular A) Tin B) Iron C) Square or rectangular D) Circular or square C) Zinc D) Nickel 4. In which among the following period Catal Huyuk was one 17. In which of the following sites of Indus Valley Civilisation of the most famous sites? [SSC CGL 2022] was ‘The Great Bath’ found? [SSC MTS 2022] A) Neolithic B) Mesolithic A) Kalibangan B) Dholavira C) Palaeolithic D) Chalcolithic C) Lothal D) Mohenjo-Daro 5. Which of the following cities existed in the Indus Valley 18. The practice of erecting megaliths began about ______ Civilization? [SSC MTS 2022] years ago. [SSC MTS 2022] A) Harappa B) Sanchi A) 2500 B) 1000 C) Muziris D) Ayodhya C) 1500 D) 3000 6. In which of the following Indian states, Harappan cities 19. The Citadel and Great Bath can be traced to which site of have NOT been found? [SSC CGL 2022] the Indus Valley Civilisation? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Uttarakhand B) Gujarat A) Harappa B) Mohenjo-Daro C) Rajasthan D) Haryana C) Rakhigarhi D) Lothal 7. Which of the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization is 20. What was the shape of the Great Bath of Mohenjo Daro? located in Punjab (India)? [SSC MTS 2022] A) Banawali B) Balu A) Rectangular B) Square C) Kot Diji D) Ropar C) Elliptical D) Circular 8. Which of the following is also known as ‘New Stone Age’ in 21. How many signs used to be part of the longest inscription the civilisation history of India? [SSC MTS 2022] found on Harappan seals? [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Epipaleolithic B) Mesolithic A) 12 B) 90 C) Paleolithic D) Neolithic C) 79 D) 26 9. Most of the standard Harappan seals were made of 22. Which Director General of ASI is responsible for the _______, a kind of soft stone that was square in shape with excavations leading to the discovery of two key city-sites of a 2 × 2 dimension and was used for commercial purposes. the Indus Civilization, in the 1920’s? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Steatite B) Golden rutile A) Madho Sarup Vats B) John Hubert Marshall C) Selenite D) Rhodonite C) James Burgess D) Mortimer Wheeler 10. Most Harappan seals made of _____. [SSC MTS 2022] 23. Ancient Harappan site ‘Lothal’ was found in which state of A) Bricks B) Granite India ? [SSC MTS 2022] C) Steatite D) Brass A) Gujarat B) Rajasthan 11. Which of the following metals was used to make weapons C) Maharashtra D) Madhya Pradesh and tools in Harappan cities? [SSC CGL 2022] 24. In which of the following cities of the Indus valley A) Silver B) Gold civilization has a dockyard been found? [SSC CHSL 2023] C) Copper D) Iron A) Lothal B) Chanhudaro 12. Inamgaon, an important Archaeological site is situated on C) Kalibangan D) Dholavira ______ river. [SSC MTS 2022] 25. In which of the following sites of Harappan civilization A) Indrayani B) Ulhas Jadeite stone was found? [SSC CGL 2022] C) Ghod D) Kukadi 1 A) Mahagadha B) Mehargadha [SSC CGL 2022] C) Hallur D) Daojali Heading A) Ganga and Yamuna B) Alakananda and Bhagirathi C) Ravi and Chenab D) Beas and Sutlej 26. The Harappan brought Gold from present-day _______ in India. [SSC CGL 2022] 39. The Rigvedic name of river Chenab was ___________. A) Telangana B) Tamil Nadu [SSC Selection Post 2022] C) Karnataka D) Kerala A) Askini B) Sindhu C) Parushni D) Vitasta 27. Which of the following sites of Harappan civilization is located near Bolan Pass? [SSC CGL 2022] A) Mehrgarh B) Chirand C) Gufkral D) Koldihwa MAHAJANAPADA & RISE OF 28. Dholavira, which was the ancient Harappan site was MAGADH PERIOD divided into ________ parts. [SSC MTS 2022] A) three B) five 40. Ajatasatru sent his minister named Vassakara to the C) four D) two Buddha to get his advice on the matter related with attack on 29. According to the archaeologists, in Harappan cities the the _______. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Mallas B) Shakyas part to the west was smaller and higher, was known as ______. [SSC CGL 2022] C) Koliyas D) Vajjis A) Citadel B) Olympus 41. In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was C) Lower town D) Colosseum known as ______. [SSC CGL 2022] 30. Which of the following is one of the animal motifs found A) Magadha B) Kosala on the cylindrical seal of the Indus region? C) Anga D) Matsya [SSC Selection Post 2022] 42. King Ajatashatru was a ruler of the ______ dynasty. A) Humped bull B) Humped camel [SSC CGL 2022] C) Sitting tiger D) Running dog A) Mauryan B) Haryanka C) Shishunaga D) Nanda 43. Which of the following was the capital of Vajji gana during VEDIC AGE Mahajanapadas period? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Vaishali B) Sothivati 31. There is a mention of the term ‘Ayas’ in Rigveda referring to C) Viratanagara D) Kashi _______________. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] 44. The ancient city of Champa is believed to be the capital of A) cotton B) metal _________ Mahajanapada. [SSC CGL 2022] C) horse D) rice A) Kashi B) Matsya 32. The Rig Veda is a collection of ________ hymns. C) Anga D) Vajji [SSC GD Constable 2023] 45. Which of the following was the capital of Mahajanapada A) 1028 B) 1076 C) 1124 D) 1152 Gandhara in 6th century BC? [SSC MTS 2022] A) Hastinapur B) Mathura 33. Which of the following varna was NOT entitled to the ritual C) Taxila D) Varanasi of ‘Upanayana Samskara’ in the later Vedic period? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] 46. The iron implement site of Hastinapur was found in which A) Kshatriya B) Brahmana the present-day state of India? [SSC MTS 2022] C) Vaishya D) Shudra A) Bihar B) Uttar Pradesh C) Haryana D) Madhya Pradesh 34. Which of the following is the oldest Veda? [SSC MTS 2022] A) Rigveda B) Atharvaveda 47. Who among the following was the founder of the Kanva dynasty? [SSC CGL 2022] C) Samaveda D) Yajurveda A) Narayana B) Susharman 35. As per the Rigvedic or Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC), C) Vasudeva D) Devabhuti who among the following was a River Goddess? [SSC MTS 2022] 48. With reference to the Sixteen Mahajanapadas, which A) Agni B) Sindhu among the following was NOT a capital city? C) Arika D) Usha A) Ujjain B) Avanti C) Sravasti D) Kausambi 36. The Rig Veda consists of 1028 hymns, organised into ten books known as ________. 49. According to the Brihat Samhita, what do you call the A) Mandalas B) Padapa̅tha process of making scents, mouth perfumes and bath powders? [SSC CGL 2022] C) Anuda̅tta D) Su̅ktas A) Jatuka B) Gandhayukli 37. The Atharvaveda is a collection of ________ khandas. C) Kamplcica D) Pattanga [SSC CGL 2022] A) 20 B) 10 C) 15 D) 5 38. In the Rigveda, there is a hymn in the form of a dialogue between Sage Vishvamitra and two rivers that were worshipped as goddesses. Which are these rivers? 2  63. Buddhacharita, a full-length biography of the Buddha was BUDDHISM & JAINISM written by ___________. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Banabhatta B) Asvaghosha C) Vasumitra D) Parsva 50. At the age of _______, Mahavira left home and went to live in a forest. [SSC MTS 2022] 64. In ancient India, the Jatakas were written in which of the A) 35 B) 27 following languages, around the middle of the first millennium C) 33 D) 30 CE? [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Pali B) Sanskrit 51. Which of the following is NOT a part of Buddhist stupas? C) Aramaic D) Kharosthi [SSC MTS 2022] A) Harmika B) Gopura 65. At which of the following places did Lord Buddha attain C) Anda D) Chhatra Mahaparinirvana? [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Kushinagar B) Lumbini 52. Who among the following was the 24th Tirthankara in C) Sarnath D) Bodh Gaya Jainism, in ancient India? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Vasupujya B) Rishabahdev 66. According to Xuan Zang, the ___________ of Nalanda C) Abhinandana D) Vardhamana Mahavira Buddhist monastery asks new entrants difficult questions which were very difficult to answer [SSC GD Constable 2023] 53. The Therigatha is a Buddhist text, part of the ______ is a A) chief of monastery B) gatekeeper collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis. C) youngest monk D) oldest monk A) Vinaya Pitaka B) Mahavamsa 67. The Lion Capital was built to commemorate the historical C) Dipavamsa D) Sutta Pitaka event of _________ of Buddha. [SSC MTS 2022] 54. In Vaishali, the second Buddhist council was organized by A) Renunciation B) Enlightenment ________. C) His death or Parinirvana D) First sermon A) shaven B) Anurudh 68. At which Buddhist site of India did Gautama Buddha first C) sunidha D) kalashoka preach the Dharma? [SSC MTS 2022] 55. Which of the following statements is correct? A) KushiNagar B) Barabar Caves I. Gautama Buddha belonged to a small gana known as the C) Bodh Gaya D) Sarnath Sakya gana and was a Kshatriya. 69. Xuan Zang and other pilgrims spent time studying in II. Gautama Buddha passed away at Kusinara. Nalanda, the most famous Buddhist monastery, located in [SSC MTS 2022] which of the following Indian state? [SSC CGL 2022] A) Only I B) Neither I nor II A) Odisha B) Bengal C) Only II D) Both I and II C) Bihar D) Sikkim 56. Buddha delivered his first sermon which is called _______, at Sarnath to his five disciples. A) Niranjana B) Mahabhinishkramana MAURYAN & POST MAURYAN C) Maha parinirvana D) Dharmachakra Pravartana EMPIRE 57. The first Tirthankara of Jainism is believed to be Rishabhanatha, who was born in ____________. [SSC Selection Post 2022] 70. Kalinga is the ancient name of coastal______. A) Pataliputra B) Ayodhya [SSC CHSL 2023] A) Tamil Nadu B) Orissa C) Vaishali D) Varanasi C) Kerala D) Andhra Pradesh 58. Buddha meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at ______, where he attained enlightenment. [SSC CHSL 2023] 71. Somewhat before the time of Mauryan empire, about A) Sarnath B) Bodh Gaya __________ years ago, emperors in China began building the Great Wall. [SSC CHSL 2023] C) Kushinagar D) Ujjain A) 1200 B) 3500 59. Lord Buddha was born in ______. [SSC Selection Post 2022] C) 2400 D) 600 A) Lumbini, Nepal B) Bihar, India 72. The foundation of the Mauryan empire was laid by ______. C) Bamyan, Afghanistan D) Cumilla, Bangladesh [SSC CHSL 2023] 60. What was the name of the mother of Gautama Buddha? A) Kalashoka B) Chandragupta Maurya [SSC Selection Post 2022] C) Bindusara D) Ashoka A) Mahamaya B) Sihamoni 73. Pushyamitra, who was the commander of Brihadratha, the C) Rukmani D) Geetanjali last Mauryan emperor, killed the king and established a new 61. The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Xuan Zang, came to the dynasty. Which of the following was his dynasty? Indian subcontinent about years ago. [SSC CGL 2022] [SSC CGL 2023] A) 1100 B) 1700 A) Shunga B) Kanva C) 2000 D) 1400 C) Satavahana D) Chedi 62. According to the Jaina tradition, Mahavira was preceded 74. Who among the following was the last king of the by how many other teachers or Trithankaras? Mauryan empire? [SSC GD Constable 2023] [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Ashoka B) Bindusara A) 12 B) 23 C) Chandragupta D) Brihadratha C) 56 D) 54 3 75. As the Mauryan empire was so large, different parts were A) Devabhuti B) Pushyamitra ruled differently. The area around ______ was under the direct C) Bhagabhadra D) Agnimitra control of the emperor. [SSC GD Constable 2023] 87. The Kadamba Dynasty was an ancient royal dynasty of A) Taxila B) Ujjain the modern day꞉ [SSC CPO 2022] C) Pataliputra D) Lumbini A) Odisha B) Kerala 76. During the reign of which of the following Mauryan kings, C) Bihar D) Karnataka the Kalinga War was fought? [SSC CGL 2023] 88. Who, with the help of Kautilya, overthrew Dhanananda, A) Bindusara B) Ashoka the last Nanda ruler, in 322 BC? [SSC MTS 2022] C) Chandragupta D) Dasaratha A) Ashoka B) Chandragupta Maurya 77. Which of the following pairs of ‘Dynasty-Ruled region’ is C) Akbar D) Kalashoka correctly matched? 89. Which of the following statements is correct? I. Shakas - Northwest and north India I. Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in Brahmi script. II. Vakatakas - Central and western India II. Many of Chanakya’s ideas were written down in a book [SSC CGL 2022] called the Arthashastra. A) Neither I nor II B) Only I [SSC MTS 2022] C) Only II D) Both I and II A) Only II B) Only I 78. Which of the following is NOT correct regarding king C) Neither I nor II D) Both I and II Harshavardhana? [SSC CGL 2022] 90. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was a ruler of which dynasty? A) Harshavardhana ruled B) Xuan Zang spent a lot of nearly about 1400 years ago time at Harsha's court [SSC MTS 2022] A) Rashtrakuta B) Satavahana C) Harshavardhana's court D) Harshacharita is a poet was Harishena biography written C) Chola D) Chera on Harshavardhana 91. Which Mauryan ruler was called ‘Amitrochates’ by the 79. Which of the following Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka states Greeks? [SSC CGL 2023] that Dhammayatras (tours) would be undertaken by the A) Samudragupta B) Chandragupta I emperor? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] C) Bindusara D) Kanishka A) Major Rock Edicts IV B) Major Rock Edict VIII 92. Which of the following rulers did NOT belong to Maurya C) Major Rock Edict IX D) Major Rock Edict V dynasty? [SSC MTS 2022] 80. Who among the following was NOT from the Mauryan A) Bindusara B) Ashoka Dynasty? [SSC Selection Post 2022] C) Chandragupta D) Bimbisara A) Ashoka B) Brihadratha 93. Megasthenes was an ambassador who was sent to the C) Kharavela D) Bindusara court of _____ by the ______ ruler. [SSC MTS 2022] 81. Which of the following books was written by A) Chandragupta Maurya, B) Babur, Greek Megasthenes? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] Greek A) Nitisara B) Nagananda C) Shah Jahan, Chinese D) Sikandar Lodhi, Chinese C) Buddha charita D) Indica 94. Kanishka was a ruler of ______ dynasty. [SSC MTS 2022] 82. How many gates and towers were mentioned by A) Mughal B) Maurya Megasthenes in Mauryan capital, Pataliputra? C) Kushana D) Gupta [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] 95. Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga. Kalinga was the A) 60 gates and 574 towers B) 64 gates and 570 towers ancient name of coastal ______. [SSC MTS 2022] C) 62 gates and 568 towers D) 66 gates and 576 towers A) Madras B) Orissa 83. ______ was a Greek ambassador sent to the court of C) Bombay D) Bengal Chandragupta Maurya. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] 96. Who among the following was the first Mauryan ruler who A) Agarthicides B) Megasthenes tried to spread his message to the people through C) Heliodorus D) Strabo inscriptions? [SSC MTS 2022] 84. The __________ is an Indian treatise on politics, A) Chandragupta B) Ashoka economics, military strategy, the function of the state, and C) Brihadratha D) Bindusara social organisation, attributed to Kautilya. 97. Which of the following was the capital of Magadh for [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] several years before it was shifted to Pataliputra? A) Panchsidhantika B) Manusmriti A) Patna B) Gaya C) Arthashastra D) Natyashastra C) Nalanda D) Rajgriha 85. Megasthenes, a Greek historian and diplomat came to 98. Which Mauryan emperor led a military campaign to India as an ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator. In which of the conquer Kalinga, around 260 BCE? following Mauryan emperor’s court did he come? A) Brihadratha B) Ashoka [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] C) Bindusara D) Chandragupta Maurya A) Chandragupta Maurya B) Brihadratha C) Ashoka D) Samprati 99. Most Ashokan inscriptions were in the _______ language while those in the northwest of the subcontinent were in 86. Who among the following was the founder of the Sunga Aramaic and Greek. dynasty, who established his kingdom by killing the last A) Pali B) Sanskrit Mauryan emperor? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] C) Prakrit D) Tamil 4 100. Which Mauryan emperor had his inscriptions engraved A) Chandragupta I B) Chandragupta II on rocks and pillars during his reign from c. 272/268-231 BCE? C) Srigupta D) Samudragupta A) Ashoka B) Bindusara 113. Samudragupta's mother belonged to which of the C) Chandragupta Maurya D) Brihadratha following gana? [SSC CGL 2022] 101. Who was the grandfather of King Ashoka? A) Koliya B) Lichchhavi A) Dashratha B) Vitashoka C) Sakya D) Vajji C) Chandragupta Maurya D) Bindusara 114. Which of the following region was the capital of the 102. Which dynasty did Harshavardhana belong to? Chalukyas? [SSC CGL 2022] A) Gupta dynasty B) Chalukya dynasty A) Kanchipura B) Raichur C) Maurya dynasty D) Pushyabhuti dynasty C) Aihole D) Kolar 103. During the Mauryan reign which of the following 115. Which of the following was known as an organisation of provinces was considered as the Gold mine hub in Karnataka? merchants in the inscriptions of the Pallavas? [SSC CGL 2022] A) Tosali B) Ujjayini A) Nagaram B) Sangathana C) Taxila D) Suvarnagiri C) Ur D) Sabha 104. With reference to the distribution of Asokan inscriptions, 116. Ravikirti was the court poet of which of the following which among the following sites is in the modern state of dynasty ruler? [SSC CGL 2022] Gujarat? A) Cholas B) Cheras A) Girnar B) Kalsi C) Pallavas D) Chalukyas C) Shishupalgarh D) Sannati 117. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about 105. Who was the first Mauryan ruler to have his messages for Gupta emperor, Samudragupta? his subjects and officials engraved on the stone surfaces of a) He was the successor of Chandragupta I. polished pillars along with natural rocks? b) His court poet Bhimsena composed a prashasti of praise for [SSC Selection Post 2022] him which was known as Gwalior Prashasti. A) Chandra Gupta Mourya B) Bindusara c) On his gold coins he was depicted playing the harp which C) Ashoka D) Dasharatha shows his passion for music. 106. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the power of the d) He held the title of Maharajadhiraj ______ at Magadha with the aid of Kautilya and founded a [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] glorious Mauryan empire in 322 BC. [SSC CGL 2022] A) Statement b only B) Statement c only A) Kurus B) Nandas C) Statement a only D) Statement d only C) Mallas D) Panchalas 118. The court poet and minister of ______, Harisena, 107. The Iranian ruler Darius penetrated into north-west India composed the Allahabad pillar Inscription or Prayaga in ______ and annexed Punjab, west of the Indus, and Sindh. Prashasti. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] [SSC Selection Post 2022] A) Samudragupta B) Bholagupta A) 516 BC B) 261 BC C) Vikramagupta D) Chandragupta C) 563 BC D) 712 AD 119. Which Gupta king led an expedition to western India 108. Historians believe that many of the Kushana rulers who where he overcame the last of the Shakas? started calling themselves ‘Devaputras’ or ‘Sons of God’ were [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] possibly inspired by the emperors of ______ culture. A) Kumaragupta B) Chandragupta I [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] C) Samudragupta D) Chandragupta II A) Chinese B) Greek 120. The Gupta rulers in India issued a large number of gold C) Roman D) Sri Lankan coins called ________. [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] 109. Indo-Greek kings ruled which of the following part of A) Suvarnarupa B) Rupyarupa ancient India? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] C) Tamararupa D) Dinaras A) Magadha B) Northwest 121. Which of the following rulers was depicted on coins C) Kashmir D) Eastern showing him playing the veena? [SSC Stenographer 2022 ] A) Vikramgupta B) Ramagupta C) Skandagupta D) Samudragupta GUPTA & POST GUPTAS AGE 122. Aihole was the capital of the. [SSC MTS 2022] A) Chalukyas B) Pallavas 110. Ravikirti composed prashasti of which of following C) Pandayas D) Cholas Chalukya rulers? [SSC GD Constable 2023] A) Mangalesha I B) Pulakeshin II 123. Harishena was a court poet of ______. [SSC MTS 2022] C) Kirtivaraman II D) Vikramaditya IV A) Bindusara B) Samudragupta C) Bimbisara D) Ashoka 111. ______ spent a lot of time at Harshavardhana's court and left a detailed account of what he saw. 124. Banabhatta was the court poet of ________. [SSC GD Constable 2023] [SSC MTS 2022] A) Xuan Zang B) Faxian A) Harshavardhana B) Ashoka C) Kang Seng D) Yijing C) Kumaragupta D) Bindusara 112. Who among the following Gupta rulers was hailed as 125. Who among the following visited India during the reign of 'Indian Napoleon' because of his military achievements? Harshavardhana? [SSC GD Constable 2023] 5 A) Fa Hien B) Xuan Zang (Hsuan Tsang) A) Samudragupta B) Chandragupta-I C) Marco Polo D) Ibn Battuta (Abu Abdullah C) Ashoka D) Srigupta Muhannad ibn Battutah) 128. Which among the following is attributed to Kautilya? 126. Ravikirti's Aihole inscription speaks in detail the victory of A) Indica B) Mudrarakshasa Pulakesin II over꞉ C) Arthashastra D) Ratnavali A) Samudragupta B) Harsha 129. Ashoka appointed ______ to solve the social problems in C) Kharavela D) Kirtivarman I his region. [SSC CGL 2022] 127. Prayag Prashasti (also known as Allahabad Pillar A) samaharta B) nyayadheesh Inscription) provides us information about the achievements C) amatya D) dhamma mahamatta of ________. ANSWER KEY Q. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Ans D D C A A A D D A C C C C C Q. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Ans D D D D B A D B A A D C A A Q. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Ans A A B A D A B A A D A D A B Q. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Ans A C C B C B B D B D D D D D Q. 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Ans B B A A D B B A A B D D C B Q. 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Ans C B A D C B D C B C D B B C Q. 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 Ans A B D B D B C D A C B B D B Q. 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 Ans C A C D D A C B A A B B A D Q. 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 Ans B C A D A A D D D A B A B B Q. 127 128 129 Ans A C D SOLUTIONS 5. Harappa, located on the banks of river Ravi, was a major Harappan site in semi-arid lands. Discovered by Daya Ram Sahni, it was heavily damaged under British rule. Bricks from the ruins were used in the construction of the Lahore-Multan STONE AGE & INDUS VALLEY Railway. CIVILIZATION 6. Harappan cities were found in Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana but not in Uttarakhand. The 1. The correct answer is option 4, Residential buildings for civilization thrived from 2600 BC to 1900 BC and vanished masses were not a part of the citadel in Harrapan around 1400 BC. These cities were unique for their objects like architecture. The citadel contained structures for important red pottery, stone weights, seals, special beads, copper tools, people, while common people's houses were built in the lower and paralleled sided long stone blades. They were also town with varying sizes and largely of burnt bricks. divided into Citadel and lower town. 2. Indian researchers have discovered molecular proof of 7. Ropar in Punjab is the site of the earliest Indus Valley ostriches in India more than 25,000 years ago based on a excavations in independent India and a well-developed DNA examination of an ostrich fossilized eggshell fragment. civilization. Recent excavations have further established its The continental drift of Gondwanaland is frequently cited as significance. Banawali in Haryana is another Indus Valley site the cause of the ostrich;s origin and evolution. on the bank of the Saraswati River. However, the correct answer to the question is Ropar. 3. Mehrgarh site in Balochistan, Pakistan was home to early 8. The Neolithic period is also known as the ‘New Stone Age’ occupants of Harappan civilization who built square/rectangular mud houses, kept grains in granaries, which marked the end of the Stone Age and it began raised cattle and grew wheat, barley, jujubes, and dates. The around BC. 9. Steatite was the material used to make most of the civilization existed from 3300 to 1300 BCE, with Early and Late Harappan cultures coexisting in the same region. standard Harappan seals. These seals were square in shape with a 2 × 2 dimension and were primarily used for commercial 4. Catal Huyuk, an ancient city settlement in Turkey, was built purposes. Steatite is a soft stone that was easy to carve and in the Neolithic era and is one of the first human proto-cities. was readily available in the region. The houses were made of mud bricks with wooden supports. 10. Harappan seals were made of steatite, with over 2000 The period is known for its use of microliths and the Chalcolithic Age was the first period when metal was used. discovered in soapstone, terracotta, and copper. The seals feature pictorial writing in the Kharosthi style, with some displaying mathematical images. They date back to 2500- 6 1500 BCE and were found in sites such as Mohenjodaro in the 22. John Hubert Marshall was responsible for excavating Indus Valley. Harappa and Mohenjodaro in the 1920s. He was the Director- 11. Copper was used to make tools and weapons in the General of ASI from 1902 to 1928. Harappan cities. The civilization flourished between 2500 BC 23. Lothal was discovered in Gujarat by SR Rao in 1964. It is and 1750 BC and Harappa was excavated by archaeologists. situated on the banks of the Bhogava river, a tributary of the The city suffered damage under British rule when bricks were Sabarmati River. It was an important trading centre during the used as track ballast. Harappan period and had an artificial dockyard as its most 12. Inamgaon, an important Archaeological site is situated on striking feature. the Ghod River. Inamgaon is an archaeological site located in 24. Indus valley civilization flourished in river basins of the Pune district of Maharashtra. The excavations have Ghaggar-Hakra and Indus. Lothal was its dockyard, other sites revealed their association with Malwa Culture, Early Jorwe include Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro, Dholavira, Culture, and Late Jorwe Culture which correspond to 1600 to Banawali, Rakhigarhi, and Sutkagendor. It's known for its grid- 1400 BC, 1400 to 1000 BC, and 1000 to 700 BC respectively. based planning, equality, nature worship, and flourishing 13. The Indus civilization, also called the Harappan civilization, trade. It relied on agriculture and produced cotton, with is the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent. accurate weights and measures. It was first identified in 1921 at Harappa in the Punjab region 25. Jadeite stone, possibly from China, was found in the and then in 1922 at Mohenjo-Daro near the Indus River in the Harappan site of Daojali Hading, located in the Brahmaputra Sindh region. The ruins of Mohenjo-Daro have designated a Valley. This site is close to the routes leading to Myanmar and UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. China, and discoveries of pestles, mortars, and stone tools 14. The Mesolithic period lasted from 12000 to 10000 years suggest that people were growing grains and preparing food. ago and was defined by the use of microliths. This period was Pottery and fossil wood tools were also found. shorter than Paleolithic and Neolithic. Paleolithic was 26. The Harappans produced items made of gold and silver, developed in the Pleistocene period, and Neolithic was which were known to them except for iron. The gold may have characterized by agriculture, domestication of animals, and come from South India's riverbeds, including Karnataka, and polished stone tools. the Himalayas. It is possible that the Harappans brought gold 15. Dholavira, a Harappan town in Gujarat, was divided into from present-day Karnataka, along with other metals like three parts with massive stone walls and gateways. Dholavira copper, bronze, silver, and lead. was located on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, 27. The Harappan civilization had well-planned drainage and with fresh water and fertile soil. town systems, worshiped various deities, and had a flourishing 16. Omani copper and Harappan artifacts have traces of trade industry. Major cities included Mohenjodaro, nickel, supporting the theory that copper was imported from Kalibangan, and Lothal, with evidence of early farming and Oman. A unique jar found in Oman suggests that its contents herding at the Neolithic site Mehrgarh. Weights and measures may have been traded for Omani copper by the Harappans. were used. Option 4 (Nickel) is the correct answer. 28. Dholavira, an ancient Harappan site in Gujarat, was a 17. The site of the Indus Valley Civilisation "The Great Bath" grand city divided into three parts. It is one of the five largest was found in Mohenjo-Daro, popularly known as "Mound of Harappan sites and flourished along the flood plains of Indus the Dead," which was one of the greatest cities of the ancient and Ghaggar-Hakra. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were the Indus Valley Civilization. The Great Bath was found in the capital cities of the Harappan civilization, also known as Indus 1920s during excavations at Mohenjo-Daro. The Bath is 83 Valley Civilization. square meters in size and was built with beautiful masonry. 29. Harappan cities had two sections enclosed by interlocking 18. Megaliths were used as burial and commemorative brick walls - the Citadel to the west and the Lower Town to the memorials in India around 3000 years ago. They can be found east. The Citadel had special buildings like the Great Bath, in the southern region and come in the form of Menhirs or which was lined with bricks and sealed to prevent leaks. Steps rock-cut stone alignments. Ancient temples were used for led down to it from two sides, and chambers surrounded it on worship in Buddhism, Hinduism, Greece, and Rome, and all sides. ancient cities existed before the end of the Roman empire. 30. The humped bull is one of the animal motifs found on 19. The Citadel and Great Bath belong to the Indus Valley the cylindrical seal of the Indus region. The humped bull Civilisation site of Mohenjo-Daro in Pakistan. It was figurine had a molded head that was twisted to the side, and discovered in 1922 and designated as a UNESCO World a mold was used to make the head. The body was made by Heritage site in 1980. Mohenjo-Daro is one of the world's hand, and the head was connected. oldest settlements and the largest site of settlement in the Indus Valley Civilisation. A Great Granary and a public bath were discovered by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. VEDIC AGE 20. The Great Bath of Mohenjo Daro, a rectangular tank surrounded by corridors, is a notable feature of the ancient 31. The term 'Ayas' mentioned in the Rigveda refers to metal. Indus Valley Civilization. The city, developed around 3,000 The Rigveda is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit BCE, is renowned for its advanced urban planning and civil hymns and is one of the four holy canonical texts of Hinduism. engineering. Other important sites include Dholavira and The Rigveda Samhita is the oldest core text, composed in the Lothal, with unique features like a middle town and an northwestern region of Indian. artificial brick dockyard. 32. The Rig Veda consists of a total of 1,028 hymns, divided 21. The longest inscription found on Harappan seals consisted into ten books known as Mandalas. Each Mandala is further of 26 signs. This claim is supported by two examples of mass- divided into hymns, which are composed in various poetic produced moulded objects, M-494 and M-495, which have a meters. The hymns are attributed to different seers or rishis. total of 26 symbols when you add up all the symbols on three separate faces of the five long surfaces. 7 33. In the later Vedic period, Shudras were at the bottom of 41. Magadha was an ancient kingdom located south of the the caste hierarchy and were only allowed to perform menial Ganga river in India, with borders formed by the Ganga, Son, jobs. They were barred from practising any rituals and only and Camp rivers, and the Vindhya mountains. The Ganga is some were allowed to work as farmers or traders. Shudra the largest river system in India and has tributaries including women could marry any male, but a Shudra male could only the Yamuna, Son, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi. marry a woman from the same varna. 42. King Ajatashatru forcefully took over the kingdom of 34. The oldest Veda is the Rigveda, composed about 3500 Magadha from his father and formed the city of Pataliputra. years ago. It consists of 1028 hymns called Suktas and is a Other important dynasties in Magadha were Mauryan, collection of 10 books called Mandalas. The other Vedas are Shishunaga, and Nanda. Chandragupta Maurya founded the based on it and consist of various hymns from it. The Rigveda Mauryan Empire, Shishunaga founded the Shishunaga is also the oldest book in Sanskrit or any Indo-European dynasty, and Mahapadma Nanda was the most powerful ruler language, and its hymns are composed in various meters like of the Nanda Dynasty. Gayatri, Anushtubh, Trishtubh, and Jagati. 43. Vaishali was the capital of Vajji Gana during the 35. The River Goddess in the Rigvedic period was Sindhu. The Mahajanapadas period. It is located in Bihar and was founded Sindhu River, also referred to as the Indus River is a major by Licchavi, being the world's first republic. Vajji was governed waterway in South Asia. One of the longest rivers in the world, by a Gana or Sangha, where multiple rulers discussed and the Sindhu has a total length of over 2,000 miles and runs decided what had to be done. south from the Kailash Mountain in Tibet all the way to the 44. The ancient city of Champa was the capital of Anga Arabian Sea in Karachi, Pakistan. Mahajanapada, one of the sixteen ancient Indian kingdoms. It 36. The Rig Veda is the oldest religious text in the world with was located in present-day Bhagalpur and Munger districts. 1028 hymns divided into ten books. It contains the Gayatri Anga is first mentioned in the Atharvaveda and its first king Mantra and Purushasukta hymn which talks about the caste was Bali while the last was Brahmadatta. The capital was system. The Vedas are the first religious text of Hinduism with earlier known as Malini. four Vedas. 9th Mandala is a compilation of soma hymns. The 45. Taxila was the capital of Mahajanapada Gandhara in 6th 10th Mandala of Rigveda contains the Purushasukta about century BC, one of the 16 city-states that emerged during this the origin of the caste system period. Its present location is in Afghanistan and some parts 37. Atharvveda Granth is a collection of 20 Khandas, which is of it lie in Pakistan. We find the mention of Gandhara in called "the storehouse of Atharva's knowledge, procedures of Anguttara Nikaya (a Buddhist source). daily life". This is the fourth Veda, which has been included in 46. The iron implement site of Hastinapur was found in Uttar the Vedic texts of Hinduism. It contains about 6,000 mantras Pradesh, India. Hastinapur was the capital of the Kuru Empire and 730 hymns, divided into 20 books. The Atharvaveda text and Ataranji Khera belonged to the Kushan period. The iron follows the verses of the Rigveda and reflects a variety of age is known for tools and artefacts made from iron. Other Vedic matters in poetic form. It is made up of two separate ancient kingdoms in the region were Kuru, Panchal, Kashi and texts - Pappalada and Saunakia. Kosal. 38. In the Rigveda, there is a hymn in the form of a dialogue 47. The Kanva dynasty, with a Brahmanic origin, was named between Sage Vishvamitra and two rivers Beas and Sutlej after its ruler Kanva. Founded by Vasudeva Kanva, it emerged were worshipped as goddesses. Some of the hymns in the in 72 BCE after he killed the Shunga ruler Devabhuti. His rule Rigveda are in the form of dialogues. This is part of one such was short, succeeded by Bhumimitra. The dynasty expanded hymn, a dialogue between a sage named Vishvamitra, and into eastern and central India, with Vidisa as its capital. two rivers, Beas and Sutlej that were worshipped as Satavahanas triumphed over Kanvas; Susarman, the last goddesses. Kanva king, was slain by the Satavahana (Andhra) ruler. 39. Rigvedic hymns mention many rivers' names differently 48. Avanti was an ancient Indian Mahajanapada (great from modern ones. region), which at present belonged to the Malwa region. Rig Vedic names Rivers According to the Buddhist text, Anguttara Nikaya, Avanti was one of the Solasa Mahajanapadas (sixteen great regions) of Askini Chenab the 6th century BCE. Sindhu Indus 49. An encyclopaedia written in Sanskrit and published in the Parushni Ravi sixth century in Ujjain was called Brhat-Samhita. It gives references to perfumes and cosmetics. Gandhayukli describes Vitasts Jhelum recipes for making scents, mouth perfumes, bath powders, Vipasa Beas incense and talcum powder. Sutudri Sutlej BUDDHISM & JAINISM MAHAJANAPADA & RISE OF MAGADH PERIOD 50. Mahavira left home and went to live in a forest at the age of 30. He was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism and underwent intense meditation and rigorous penance for twelve and a half 40. Ajatasatru sent his minister to seek Buddha's advice on years before attaining salvation in the 6th century BCE. attacking Vajjis, a confederacy ruling Mithila with Vaishali as capital. Buddha was born in Shakya clan, his mother in Koliya tribe, in Kapilavastu, Nepal. Mahajanapadas were 16 ancient Indian kingdoms from 6th-4th century BCE. 8 51. Buddhist stupas consist of Anda, Harmika, and Chhatra. 61. Xuan Zang was a Chinese monk who traveled to India in Gopura is not a part of it. Stupas were constructed over the 7th century to learn about Buddhism and collect religious Buddha's relics in Gangetic Valley. Bairat in Rajasthan is a texts. He stayed at the University of Nalanda for 5 years and grand stupa. The great stupa at Sanchi was built during the participated in a religious assembly. He became famous for time of Ashoka. his 17-year journey to India. Other foreign travelers include 52. Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of the Deimachos, Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, and Ibn Battuta. Jain religion. He was born at Kundgrama near Vaishali in 62. A Tirthankara is a dharma saviour and spiritual teacher in Bihar. After gaining true knowledge, he came to be known as Jainism (righteous path). Mahavira is called the founder of the master of "Kevalajana". His discipline was known as Jainism, but Jains believe that the 23 previous Tirthankaras Chandrabala and the lion is a symbol of Mahavir. He died at also espoused it. Pawapuri in Bihar. Vasupujya was the twelfth Tirthankara, 63. Asvaghosha wrote the biography of Buddha called while Rishabhanatha was the first Tirthankara of Jainism. Buddha Charita in the first century CE. An epic poem on the 53. Therigatha is a collection of verses composed by Buddhist life of Gautama Buddha, it consists of 28 cantons and was nuns and is part of the Sutta Pitaka, which contains the composed in the Sanskrit language. Buddha's teachings. It is the earliest text depicting women's 64. The Jataka, related to Buddhism, refers to stories of spiritual experiences. Vinaya Pitaka is the basket of discipline, Buddha’s Birth. A Buddhist scholar, Buddhagosha is said to Mahavamsa is a historical chronology of Sri Lanka, and have gathered about 550 Jataka stories. These are the stories Dipavamsa is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. that tell about the previous lives of the Buddha, in both 54. The second Buddhist council was held in Vaishali under human and animal forms. Jataka tales were written in simple King Kalashoka's patronage and presided over by Sabakami. language and everybody could relate to them. Jatakas were It discussed whether monks could handle wealth. The Stavros written in the Pali language. caused the first schism in the Union, leading to the second 65. Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in council Kalashoka. Kushinagar (in present-day Uttar Pradesh). Mahaparinirvana 55. Gautama Buddha belonged to the Sakya clan, which was usually means the ultimate state of nirvana (permanent, a small republic in ancient India and he was of the Kshatriya supreme peace and happiness) attained by an enlightened caste. He passed away in Kusinara, present-day Uttar being. Kushinagar is the last resting place of Gautam Buddha. Pradesh, India, around 483 BCE. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site. 56. Buddha's first sermon was delivered at Sarnath to his five 66. Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist monk, and traveller who disciples and is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana. He visited the Nalanda Buddhist monastery in the 7th century introduced the Four Noble Truths, the foundational teaching stated that the gatekeeper asks new entrants difficult of Buddhism, in this sermon. The Seated Buddha from questions that are hard to answer. This suggests that the Gandhara depicts him in the Dharmachakra Mudra, setting gatekeeper acts as an intellectual filter, testing the knowledge the wheel of Dharma in motion. This event is also known as and understanding of those seeking entry into the monastery. The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma. 67. The Lion Capital is a sculpture from the Mauryan period 57. The first Tirthankara of Jainism is believed to be built by Ashoka to commemorate the first sermon of Buddha. Rishabhanatha, who was born in Ayodhya. He was also known It features four Asiatic lions and depictions of a chakra, bull, as Adinatha and Adish Jina. horse, elephant, and lion. It was adopted as the National Important Tirthankaras of Jainism Emblem of India after independence. Sequence Name of the Tirthankara Symbol 68. Buddha first preached the Dharma to his five disciples at Sarnath. The first sermon delivered by Buddha was on 1st Rishabhanatha Bull deliverance from suffering. The event of the first sermon is 2nd Ajitanatha Elephant known as "Dharmachakra Pravartana" which means turning the wheel of dharma. His five disciples became Arhats. 23rd Parsvanatha Hooded serpent 69. The University at Nalanda was established in the fifth 24th Mahavira Lion century and shut down in the thirteenth. In the ancient Indian 58. Bodh Gaya is the place where Buddha attained kingdom of Magadha, which is now called Bihar, Nalanda University served as the epicentre of learning. King of the enlightenment. The site of Bodh Gaya is marked by the Gupta Dynasty, Kumargupta I, founded the University of Mahabodhi Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Nalanda. and an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists worldwide. 59. Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC on the Vaishakha MAURYAN & POST MAURYAN Poornima Day at Lumbini (near Kapilavastu) in Nepal. He left his palace at 29 in search of truth (also called EMPIRE ‘Mahabhinishkramana’ or The Great Renunciation). Attained ‘ Nirvana ’ or ‘Enlightenment’ at 35 at Gaya in Magadha (Bihar) 70. Kalinga is the ancient name of a region in eastern India under the Pipal tree. Delivered the first sermon at Sarnath. that corresponds to the present-day states of Odisha and 60. Mahamaya was the mother of Gautama Buddha. She was parts of northern Andhra Pradesh. It was known for its rich a princess of the Kollia republic and married to Suddhodhana, cultural heritage, maritime trade, and seafaring abilities. King of Kapilavastu. Gautama Buddha was born at Lumbini in 71. Emperors in China began building the Great Wall about the Sakya Kshatriya clan. He was the founder of Buddhism 2400 years ago, somewhat before the time of the Mauryan and got enlightened at the age of 35 under a pipal tree in empire. The wall was built to protect the northern frontier of Bodh Gaya. His wife was Yasodhara and they had a son the empire from pastoral people. It is about 6400 km long and named Rahul. is made of stone and brick, with a road along the top. 9 72. Chandragupta Maurya laid the foundation of the Mauryan 87. The Kadamba Dynasty was an ancient royal dynasty of Empire in 322 BCE. He was the first ruler of the dynasty and the modern-day Karnataka.The Kadambas (345–525 CE) was his reign marked the beginning of a unified and centralized an ancient royal family of Karnataka, India, that ruled state in India. northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi in the 73. Pushyamitra established the Shunga dynasty after killing present-day Uttara Kannada district. the last Mauryan emperor. This dynasty ruled over North India 88. Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Kautilya, from around 185 BCE to 73 BCE. overthrew Dhanananda, the last Nanda ruler, in 322 BC. He 74. The last king of the Mauryan Empire was Brihadratha. He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire and captured was overthrown by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Pataliputra from Dhanananda at the young age of 25. Shunga, who established the Shunga dynasty. Ashoka was the 89. Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Brahmi script third king of the Mauryan Empire and Bindusara was his and Chanakya's ideas were written down in the book father and the second king. Arthashastra. Both statements are correct. Ashoka belonged 75. Patilputra was the capital city of the Mauryan empire. to the Maurya Dynasty and ruled between 273-232 BC. Other regions were ruled by governors appointed by the Chanakya was known as Kautilya and his work is seen as a emperor. Pataliputra was strategically located on the banks of major precursor to classical economics. the Ganges river and was a center of trade, commerce, and 90. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was a ruler of the administration. Satavahana dynasty. He is considered the greatest king of the 76. Ashoka, also known as Devanampiya, was the Mauryan dynasty who restored their fortunes after they were king who fought the Kalinga War. He ascended the throne in dispossessed of their dominions. 268 BC and expanded his empire through conquest. In the 91. Bindusara, the second Mauryan emperor, was called ninth year of his reign, he waged a war with Kalinga (present- 'Amitrochates' by the Greeks. The name means 'the destroyer day Odisha). of enemies' in Sanskrit. 77. Shakas were of Scythian descent and moved to northwest 92. Bindusara, also Amitrochates was the second Mauryan India after being expelled by the Great Yueh Chi tribe. emperor of India. He was the son of Chandragupta. Ashoka , Vakatakas were a dynasty that originated in the Deccan popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor region and ruled over central and western India. of the Maurya Empire, son of Bindusara. Bimbisara belonged 78. Harishena was not the court poet of King Harshavardhana, to the Haryana dynasty. but it was Banabhatta who served as the court poet. 93. Megasthenes was sent as an ambassador to the court of 79. Major Rock Edict VIII of Ashoka states that Dhammayatras Chandragupta Maurya by Seleucus I Nicator, the Greek (tours) would be undertaken by the emperor. It was during his conqueror of West Asia. He described ancient India in his first visit to Bodh Gaya and the Bodhi tree that he gave book "Indica" and is known as the father of Indian history. importance to Dhamma tours. 94. Kanishka was a ruler of the Kushana dynasty, which was 80. Kharavela was NOT from the Mauryan Dynasty. He prominent around 1900 years ago. He is the most famous ruler belonged to the Mahameghavahana Dynasty and was a Jain of this dynasty and organized the 4th Buddhist council where king of Kalinga in present-day Odisha. important matters were discussed. 81. Megasthenes, an ancient Greek historian and diplomat, 95. Kalinga was the ancient name of coastal Orissa. The wrote extensively in his book called Indica. This book provides Mauryan emperor Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BCE in the valuable information about Maurya Administration, social Kalinga War. The famous Konark temple and the largest classes, and economic activities of ancient India. coastal lagoon in India, Chilika Lake, are located in Odisha. Paradeep, one of the major seaports in India, is also in 82. Megasthenes, a Greek diplomat, historian, and Odisha. ethnographer, mentioned in his writings that the Mauryan 96. Ashoka was the first Mauryan ruler who attempted to capital, Pataliputra, was surrounded by a wooden wall with 64 gates and 570 towers. communicate with the people through inscriptions. He used pillars of stone to inscribe his messages in Prakrit language 83. Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent to the court and Brahmi script. of Chandragupta Maurya. His compilation, known as Indica, 97. Rajgir, also known as Rajagriha, was the capital of Magadh provides insights into Pataliputra, the capital city, which had a grand wooden wall with 64 gates and 570 towers, comparable for several years before it was shifted to Pataliputra. The to Persian sites of that time. Rajgir Hills lie near the city of Rajgir in central regions of the Indian state of Bihar. 84. The Arthashastra is a treatise on politics, economics, 98. Ashoka led a military campaign to conquer Kalinga military strategy, the function of the state, and social organization attributed to Kautilya. It was written as a around 260 BCE. The result of the war had a deep impact on handbook for Chandragupta, instructing him on how to rule Ashoka and he converted to Buddhism. Kalinga became part over a kingdom. of the Magadha Empire with a viceroyalty at Tosali. 85. Megasthenes came to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, 99. Prakrit was the language used for the majority of Asokan the founder of the Mauryan Empire, as an ambassador of inscriptions, while inscriptions in Afghanistan employed the Seleucus I Nicator. Chandragupta Maurya was known for his Aramaic and Greek scripts. victorious battles and efficient administration which brought a 100. Ashoka was the Mauryan emperor who had his vast region under his control. inscriptions engraved on rocks and pillars during his reign 86. The Sunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra from c. 272/268-231 BCE. He was the first ruler to inscribe his Sunga after overthrowing the Maurya dynasty in 185 BCE. The messages on stone surfaces in Prakrit and Brahmi script. dynasty had 10 rulers who ruled for a total of 112 years with 101. Chandragupta Maurya was the grandfather of King Patiliputra as their capital city. Ashoka. He established the Maurya dynasty and ruled from 324 BCE to 293 BCE with his capital in Magadha. 10 102. Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty Nagaram was an organisation of merchants and traders who which was founded by Naravardhana in the 5th or beginning resided in their own designated areas. of the 6th century A.D. The dynasty flourished under 116. Ravikirti was the court poet of the Chalukya Dynasty ruler, Prabhakarvardhana, father of Harshavardhana, who assumed Pulakeshin II. He composed the famous Aihole inscription. The the title of Maharajadhiraja. Pallava Dynasty ruler, Narasimhavarman I, defeated 103. Suvarnagiri was considered the Gold mine hub in Pulakeshin II. The Chalukya Dynasty was founded by Karnataka during the Mauryan reign. It was an important Pulakeshin I. The Muvendar, Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas source of revenue for the empire. were ancient Tamil dynasties with unique symbols and 104. Girnar, located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, is the capitals. correct option as it houses fourteen of Ashoka's Major Rock 117. His court poet Bhimsena composed a prashasti of praise Edicts. Kalsi, Shishupalgarh, and Sannati are located in for him which was known as Gwalior Prashasti. On his gold Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Karnataka respectively. coins, he was depicted playing the harp which shows his 105. Ashoka inscribed his messages on stone surfaces and passion for music. He was the successor of Chandragupta I and held the title of Maharajadhiraj. polished pillars. Prakrit language and Brahmi script were mostly used in these inscriptions. James Prinsep helped 118. Samudragupta was the ruler of the Gupta dynasty who decipher Ashoka's inscriptions. These inscriptions are the main reigned from 335/336 CE to 375 CE. He was the greatest ruler evidence of Buddhism and there are 33 in total. of the Gupta dynasty and expanded the empire greatly by 106. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the power of the conquering the Kushans and other small kingdoms. Nandas at Magadha with the aid of Kautilya and founded a 119. Chandragupta II led an expedition to western India and glorious Mauryan empire in 322 BC. The Maurya Empire was defeated the last of the Shakas. He was known for his title founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had Vikramaditya and his court was full of learned people. overthrown the Nanda Dynasty. Although the official answer key mentions Samudragupta as 107. Darius, the Iranian ruler, invaded northwest India in 516 the correct answer, as per NCERT, Chandragupta II is the correct answer. BC and annexed Punjab and Sindh. He controlled the Indus Valley from Gandhara to modern Karachi and appointed 120. The Gupta rulers in India issued a large number of gold Scylax to explore the Indian Ocean. coins during their reign, and the most prominent among them 108. Many Kushana rulers adopted the title "devaputra" or were the Dinaras. The Gupta period is known as the Golden Age of Indian history, and it was a time of great prosperity "son of god", which was possibly inspired by Chinese rulers and cultural growth. who called themselves "sons of heaven". 121. Samudragupta was depicted on coins playing the veena, 109. The Indo-Greek kings ruled the northwest part of ancient as per historical records. He was an accomplished poet and India, which included parts of modern-day Pakistan and musician, as evidenced by his gold coins and inscriptions. northwestern India. The kingdom existed during the last two Samudragupta was also known as the "Napoleon of India". centuries BC and was ruled by over 30 kings, with Menander being the most successful. 122. Aihole, Karnataka was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty from 543 A.D. to 755 A.D. It is known for its temples dating back to the 6th century, reflecting a mix of styles. The GUPTA & POST GUPTAS AGE dynasty was founded by Pulakeshin I and ended with Kirtivarman II, defeated by Dantidurga of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. 110. Ravikirti composed prashasti of Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II. The prashasti is an inscription that praises the 123. Harishena was a court poet and government minister in achievements of the ruler. Pulakeshin II was a prominent ruler the court of Samudragupta, the 4th-century Gupta emperor. of the Chalukya dynasty and his reign is considered to be a He composed the ;Prayag Prashasti;, also known as the golden era in the history of Karnataka. Allahabad Pillar Inscription, which is a Sanskrit inscription found at Allahabad. The inscription is a eulogy of 111. Xuan Zangspent a considerable amount of time in Samudragupta;s military conquests and achievements. Harshavardhana;s court and provided a detailed account of his observations. Xuan Zang was a Chinese Buddhist monk 124. Baṇabhaṭṭa was a 7th - century Sanskrit prose writer and and a scholar who travelled to India during the Tang dynasty. poet of India. He was the Asthana Kavi (court poet) in the 112. Samudragupta, the son and successor of Chandragupta I, court of King Harsha Vardhana, who reigned c. 606 - 647 CE was hailed as the 'Indian Napoleon' due to his military in north India. achievements. He expanded and consolidated the Gupta 125. Hiuen-Tsang visited India during Harshavardhana's rules. Empire through his conquests and is regarded as one of the Huen Tsang or Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist Traveler greatest rulers of ancient India. who belongs to the early Tang times of China. He studied at 113. Samudragupta was the son of the Gupta king Nalanda University. During his stay in India, he visited various Chandragupta I and Queen Kumaradevi, who came from a places in northern and southern India. Lichchhavi family. His fragmentary Eran stone inscription 126. Ravikirti;s Aihole inscription describes the victory of states that his father selected him as the successor because of Pulakesin II over Harshavardhana, the ruler of the northern his "devotion, righteous conduct, and valour". Indian empire. Pulakesin II defeated Harsha in 618 AD on the 114. Aihole was the capital of the Chalukyas, an ancient Indian banks of the River Narmada, when Harsha attempted to dynasty that ruled from 543 A.D. to 755 A.D. Aihole is known expand his empire towards the southern peninsula of India. as the Cradle of Indian architecture and is famous for its 127. The Prayag Prashasti provides us information about the numerous temples built in the 6th century CE. achievements of Samudragupta, the Gupta dynasty emperor. 115. The organisation of merchants mentioned in the It was composed by Harisena, the court poet of inscriptions of the Pallavas was known as Nagaram. The Samudragupta, and was engraved on the Ashoka pillar brought from Kaushambi. 11 128. The credit of Arthashastra is given to Kautilya. It is an 129. Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamatta to solve the ancient Indian Sanskrit text on statecraft, economic policy social problems in his region. Dhamma Mahamatta were and military strategy. This book was written in the Maurya officials chosen by Ashoka to propagate and uphold the period. It was written in Sanskrit. precepts of dhamma. 12 CHAPTER꞉ 2 MEDIEVAL HISTORY 13. Which of the following combinations of ‘Ruler – Predecessor’ is correct with respect to the Delhi Sultanate? DELHI SULTANATE [SSC CGL 2022] A) Alaudddin Khalji – B) Iltutumish – Balban 1. During which of the following years did Qutbuddin Aybak Jalaluddin Khalji rule? [SSC CHSL 2023] C) Muhammad Tughluq – D) Ghiyasuddin Tughluq – A) 1206 – 1210 B) 1320 – 1324 Firuz Shah Tughluq Muhammad Tughluq C) 1290 – 1296 D) 1266 – 1287 14. In the Delhi Sultanate, which of the following were known as Bandagan? [SSC CPO 2022] 2. Who among the following appointed Aziz Khummar a wine A) Special person appointed B) Special Officer for Land distiller to high administrative post? [SSC CHSL 2023] for religious conversion Revenue Recovery A) Alauddin Khalji B) Muhammad Tughluq C) Specialized artisans D) Special slaves bought for C) Jalaluddin Khalji D) Firuz Shah Tughluq employed in the royal military service 3. Who composed Tabaqat-i-Nasiri in the Delhi Sultanate kharkhanas period? [SSC CGL 2023] 15. The ______ was a territorial assignment given to A) Hasan Nizami B) Amir Khusrau administrative officers and nobles in lieu of the services they C) Minhaj-us-Siraj D) Ziauddin Barani performed for the state during Delhi sultanate. 4. Zafar khan was a famous General of which of the following [SSC CPO 2022] rulers of the Delhi Sultanate? [SSC CGL 2023] A) Usharaf B) Iqta A) Alauddin Khilji B) Iltutmish C) Muahatsib D) Nazir C) Muhammad bin Tughluq D) Balban 16. In 1342, one of the nobles, Haji Ilyas Khan united Bengal 5. Which officer under Alauddin Khilji was required to and became its ruler under the title of ____ and laid the maintain a register of merchants to ensure an adequate foundation of the Ilyas Shah dynasty. [SSC CPO 2022] supply of goods? [SSC CGL 2023] A) Shamsh-ud-din Iliyas Shah B) Ghiyasuddin Azam A) Nazir B) Rais Parwana C) Sultan Abu al-Mujahid D) Sultan Sayf ad-Din C) Muhtasib D) Shahna-i-Mandi 17. Ghiyasuddin Balban (1265-1286 AD), ruler of the Slave 6. Which dynasty ruled over Delhi during 1290 to 1320? dynasty, took up the title of. [SSC MTS 2022] [SSC GD Constable 2023] A) Nur-al-Din (light of the B) NurMahall (light of the faith) palace) A) Tughluq B) Khalji C) Zil-Ilahi (Shadow of God) D) JahanPanah (protector of C) Lodi D) Sayyid the world) 7. Ziyauddin Barani wrote his chronicle first in 1356 and 18. Who among the following was the first Muslim woman another version _____ years later. [SSC CGL 2022] ruler of medieval India from 1236 to 1240 AD? [SSC MTS 2022] A) three B) eight A) Razia Sultana B) Sultana Chand Bibi C) two D) five C) Rani Mangammal D) Begum Samru 8. Minhaj-i-Siraj was a chronicler during the rule of ________. 19. Which of the following is the correct chronological order of [SSC CGL 2022] the rulers of the Tughluq dynasty who ruled over Delhi from A) Sultan Iltutmish B) Qutbuddin Aybak the yea