Very Important Ancient History Questions with solution for practice

Answer – a
The sources that give information about the events of past time are known as ‘Historical Sources’.

Answer- a
There are four Samhitas or Vedas—Rig Veda , Yajur Veda , Sama Veda & Atharva Veda .
Vedas throw more light on religious, social & economic life and less light on the political life of the Aryans. From the historical point of view Rig Veda & Atharva Veda have more importance than the Yajur Veda & Sama Veda. 

Answer- b
The Buddhist texts are divided into two categories — Pali texts & Anupali Texts.
Among Pali texts ‘Tripitaka’, ‘Deep Vansha’ & ‘Mahavansha’ Milindpannaho’ etc are important texts.
The ‘Tripitaka’ is the earliest and the most important text among Pali Texts. The ‘Tripitika’ comprises ‘Vinaya Pitaka’, ‘Sutta Pitaka’ & ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’. The ‘Vinaya Pitaka’ & the ‘Sutta Pitaka’ are compiled in the First Buddhist Council (483 BC) held in Rajagriha (Bihar) while the ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’ in the Third Buddhist Council (250 BC) was held in Pataliputra (Bihar). The ‘Tripitaka’ throws light on the social and religious life of India of that time i.e; the centuries before Christ.

Answer- c
The ‘Jataka’ of Khuddaka Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka contains 549 folk tales of the previous births of Gautama Buddha. The Compilation of the ‘Jataka’ had been beginning in the 1st Century BC. This fact is very clear from the scenarios curved on the railings of Bharahuta & Sanchi Stupas. The verse part of the jataka is older than the prose part. The compilation of the verse part of the Jataka had been completed up to the 2nd Century AD. Through the ‘Jataka’ is religious & cultural text, but it throws sufficient light on the social & economic conditions of that time.

Answer- a
Originally the ‘Milindpannho’  Questions of Milind is a dialogue between Greek king Milind (identified as Menander, the Indo-Greek ruler) and Buddhist monk Nagasen (identified as Nagarjuna) on philosophical matters, but it throws suffice light on religious, social & economic life of North-West India of 1st-2nd century AD. The political condition of that time is mentioned occasionally in it. The foreign trade of India is lively described in it.

Answer- b
Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’ was compiled in the 4th century BC. It gives not only detailed information regarding the system of administration but also an idea of the social and religious life of the people of that time. It is comparable with Aristotle’s ‘Politics and Machiavelli’s ‘Prince’.

Answer- b
Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’ was compiled in the 4th century BC. It gives not only detailed information regarding the system of administration but also an idea of the social and religious life of the people of that time. It is comparable with Aristotle’s ‘Politics and Machiavelli’s ‘Prince’.

Answer- d
The best example of the earliest historical writing is provided by the ‘Rajatarangini’ written by kalhana in the 12th century AD. It is a string of biographies of the kings of Kashmir. It can be the first work to possess several characteristics of historical writing as it is understood today. In the words of eminent historian R.C Majumdar: “There is only one historical work, properly so-called, written by kalhana in 12th Century A.D. This is ‘Rajatarangini’ which deals with the history of Kashmir from the earliest time up to the date of the composition of that work

Answer- b
Though Panini’s ‘Ashtadhyayi’ is a grammar book, it throws sufficient light on the political condition of the pre-Maurya & Maurya periods.  

Answer- c
Kalidasa’s ‘Malvikagnimitra’ is a playbook. It is the first play written by him. It provides information about the political condition of the shunga dynasty and previous royal dynasties. it is called the mirror of the interior life of royal dynasties.