Q. The following persons came to India at one time or another: 1. Fa-Hien 2. I-Tsing 3. Megasthenese 4. Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of their visits is: (a) 3, 1, 2, 4 (b) 3, 1, 4, 2 (c) 1, 3, 2, 4 (d) 1, 3, 4, 2 Ans: (b) 3, 1, 4, 2

Q. From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the (a) African trade (b) West-European trade (c) South-East Asian trade (d) Middle-Eastern trade Ans: (c) South-East Asian trade Explanation: After the 3rd century AD Roman Empire came to an end. Indian merchants

Q. Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period? (a) Tamralipti (b) Broach (c) Kalyan (d) Cambray Ans: (a) Tamralipti Explanation: Tamralipti port handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period. It is believed that Taralipti was the exit point of the Mauryan trade route for the south and

Q. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes (a) an ethnic group (b) a nomadic people (c) a speech group  (d) a superior race Ans: (c) a speech group Explanation: Aryan, name originally given to a people who were said to speak an archaic Indo-European language and who were thought to have settled in prehistoric times in ancient

Q. The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts (a) I and X (b) I and XI (c) II and XIII (d) II and XIV Ans: (c) II and XIII Explanation: The Asokan major rock edicts that tell us about the Sangam Kingdom are (c) II and XIII.

Q. Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because (a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at that time (b) they had renounced the policy of war and violence (c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them (d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society Ans: (c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract

Q. The concept of Eight-fold path forms the theme of (a) Dipavamsa (b) Divyavadana (c) Mahaparinibban Sutta (d) Dharma Chakara Pravartana Sutta Ans: (d) Dharma Chakara Pravartana Sutta

Q. Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve foodgrains to be utilised during the crises in the country? (a) Sohagaura Copper-plate (b) Rummindei pillar-edict of Asoka (c) Prayaga-Prasasti (d) Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra Ans: (a) Sohagaura Copper-plate Explanation: The earliest known copper-plate called Sohgaura is a

Q. Assertion (A): According to Asoka’s edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion. Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true, but R is

Q. Assertion (A): The Gandhara School of art bears the mark of Hellenistic influence. Reason (R): Hinayana form was influenced by that art. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A (c)