Q. Which spice was known as black gold in ancient India?
a). Cardamom
b). Clove
c). Black pepper
d). Cinnamon
Answer: c). Black pepper
Explanation: Black pepper, grown mainly in Kerala, was called black gold because it was highly valuable and widely traded with foreign countries like Rome
Q. How did people in ancient times travel through the sea more quickly?
a). By using wooden rafts
b). By following the direction of birds
c). By using monsoon winds
d). By rowing continuously without rest
Answer: c). By using monsoon winds
Explanation: Sailors took advantage of the monsoon (South-west Monsoon) winds to cross the seas more quickly.
Q. Who were called Muvendar in ancient Tamil literature?
a). Three traders
b). Three kings
c). Three priests
d). Three poets
Answer: b). Three kings
Explanation: Muvendar refers to the three chief Tamil dynasties — the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas.
Q. Kaveripattinam was an important port of which dynasty?
a). Maurya dynasty
b). Gupta dynasty
c). Chola dynasty
d). Pallava dynasty
Answer: c). Chola dynasty
Explanation: Kaveripattinam (also known as Puhar) was a major port city of the Cholas. It served as a center for trade and commerce, connecting India with countries like Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
Q. Madurai was the capital of which ancient Tamil kingdom?
a). Chera
b). Chola
c). Pandya
d). Pallava
Answer: c). Pandya
Explanation: Madurai was the capital city of the Pandya kingdom, one of the three major Tamil dynasties of South India. It was an important center of trade, learning, and culture, especially during the Sangam age.
Q. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was a ruler of the —
a). Maurya dynasty
b). Gupta dynasty
c). Satavahana dynasty
d). Chola dynasty
Answer: c). Satavahana dynasty
Explanation: He defeated the Shakas, who were powerful rulers in western India, and restored the Satavahana control over those regions.
His mother, Gautami Balashri, recorded an inscription at Nasik.
Q. The Satavahana rulers were also known as the Lord of —
a). North India
b). The Mountains
c). Dakshinapatha
d). Rivers
Answer: c). Dakshinapatha
Explanation: The Satavahana rulers were known as the Lords of Dakshinapatha, meaning “the land to the south”. This title highlighted their control over the Deccan region, an important area for trade routes connecting northern and southern India.
Q. The Silk Route got its name because —
a). Gold was traded along it
b). Spices were mainly carried
c). Silk was the most valuable good traded with
d). It connected all the capitals of Asia
Answer: c). Silk was the most valuable good traded
Explanation: The route was named the Silk Route because Chinese silk was one of the most valuable items traded along it.
Q. The Silk Route connected —
a). India and Africa only
b). China with parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa
c). North India and South India
d). Japan and Sri Lanka
Answer: b). China with parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa
Explanation: The Silk Route was a network of trade paths linking China to Central Asia, India, the Middle East, and Europe, enabling cultural and commercial exchange.
Q. The Kushanas ruled over which parts of India?
a). Southern and Eastern India
b). Central Asia and Northwestern India
c). Central and Eastern India
d). Coastal regions of India
Answer: b). Central Asia and Northwestern India
Q. The most famous Kushana ruler was —
a). Ashoka
b). Kanishka
c). Chandragupta Maurya
d). Harsha
Answer: b). Kanishka
Explanation: Kanishka was the greatest ruler of the Kushana dynasty, known for his support of Buddhism, trade, and art, and for organizing the Fourth Buddhist Council.
Q. Who were the first rulers in India to issue gold coins?
a). Mauryas
b). Guptas
c). Kushanas
d). Satavahanas
Answer: c). Kushanas
Q. Who wrote the biography of Buddha?
a). Kalidasa
b). Ashvaghosha
c). Fa-Hien
d). Chanakya
Answer: b). Ashvaghosha
Explanation: The biography of Buddha, known as Buddhacharita (Sanskrit), was written by Ashvaghosha, a Buddhist scholar and poet, narrating the life, teachings, and enlightenment of Gautama Buddha.
Q. Which branch of Buddhism gained prominence after the Fourth Buddhist Council?
a). Hinayana
b). Theravada
c). Mahayana
d). Vajrayana
Answer: c). Mahayana
Explanation: After the council, Mahayana Buddhism became popular, emphasizing the Buddha as a divine figure and the use of statues for worship.
Q. Mahayana Buddhism emphasized —
a). Worship of Buddha as a divine figure
b). Following only the original teachings without images
c). Avoiding monasteries
d). Rejecting all forms of meditation
Answer: a). Worship of Buddha as a divine figure
Explanation: Mahayana Buddhism emphasized the divinity of Buddha, allowed use of statues and images, and spread widely across Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan.
Q. What is the older form of Buddhism commonly referred to?
a). Mahayana Buddhism
b). Vajrayana Buddhism
c). Theravada Buddhism
d). Zen Buddhism
Answer: c). Theravada Buddhism
Explanation: Theravada Buddhism is considered the older and more traditional form of Buddhism, which adheres closely to the original teachings of the Buddha.
Q. Who were Bodhisattvas?
a). Individuals who have achieved enlightenment
b). Individuals who are on the path to Buddhahood
c). Ordinary people with no spiritual progress
d). Kings and rulers in ancient India
Answer: a). Individuals who have achieved enlightenment
Q. A pilgrim is best defined as:
a). A traveller exploring new territories for trade
b). A person who journeys to holy places in order to offer worship.
c). A merchant traveling for business purposes
d). A tourist visiting famous landmarks
Answer: b). A person who journeys to holy places in order to offer worship.
Explanation: A pilgrim is typically someone who embarks on a journey to a holy site or sacred place for spiritual, religious, or ritualistic purposes
Q. Who was one of the earliest Chinese pilgrims to visit India?
a). I-tsing
b). Fa Xian
c). Hiuen Tsang
d). Xuan Zang
Answer: b). Fa Xian (Fa-Hien)
Explanation: Fa Xian visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign to study Buddhism and collect scriptures.
Q. Arrange the following events in the correct order of Fa Xian’s journey from Bengal to China.
1. It took him more than 90 days to reach Java.
2. Fa Xian sets sail from the port of Bengal.
3. They were caught in a storm.
4. Fa Xian reaches the southern coast of China.
a). 1 → 3 → 2 → 4
b). 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
c). 2 → 3 → 1 → 4
d). 3 → 2 → 1 → 4
Answer: c). 2 → 3 → 1 → 4
Q. Who was Xuan Zang?
a). A famous Indian Buddhist scholar
b). A Chinese emperor
c). A Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler
d). A Buddhist king in Southeast Asia
Answer: c). A Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler
Q. Which of these is a major contribution of Xuanzang to Chinese Buddhism?
a). He established Buddhist monasteries in India
b). He translated numerous Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Chinese
c). He introduced the practice of Zen meditation in China
d). He wrote the first Buddhist encyclopedia
Answer: b). He translated numerous Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Chinese
Q. What route did Xuanzang take to return to China?
a). Land route through the north-west, and Central Asia
b). By sea through the Indian Ocean
c). By foot across the Himalayas
d). Through North east India
Answer: a). Overland through Central Asia
Explanation: He carried back with him statues of the Buddha made of gold, silver and sandalwood, and over 600 manuscripts loaded on the backs of 20 horses.
Q. Which important Buddhist site did Xuanzang visit during his journey?
a). Bodh Gaya
b). Nalanda
c). Sri Lanka
d). Mount Wutai
Answer: b). Nalanda
Q. Arrange the following Chinese Buddhist pilgrims in the correct order of their journeys from earliest to latest:
1. Fa Xian
2. I- Qing
3. Xuan Zang
a). 2 → 3 → 1
b). 1 → 2 → 3
c). 1 → 3 → 2
d). 3 → 2 → 1
Answer: c). 1 → 3 → 2
Q. The word “Bhakti” in Sanskrit means:
a). Knowledge and wisdom
b). Ritual worship and sacrifice
c). Devotion and love towards God
d). Physical austerities and self-discipline
Answer: c). Devotion and love towards God
Explanation: The word “Bhakti” comes from the Sanskrit root “bhaj,” which means “to divide or share.” This suggests an intimate, two-way relationship between the deity and the devotee.
Q. The term “Bhakti” is primarily associated with which of the following?
a). A form of yoga
b). The pursuit of material wealth
c). Personal devotion and surrender to God
d). Meditation and mindfulness
Answer: c). Personal devotion and surrender to God
Explanation: Bhakti is a spiritual path focused on personal devotion and surrender to a personal deity, often expressed through prayer, songs, and rituals. It is one of the most important paths of spiritual practice in Hinduism.
Q. The Eran site is known for an ancient temple, which is dedicated to which Hindu god?
a). Shiva
b). Vishnu
c). Brahma
d). Ganesha
Answer: b). Vishnu
Explanation: This magnificent statue is of a special form of Vishnu, the Varaha or boar.
Q. Where was Jesus Christ born?
a). Rome
b). Bethlehem
c). Nazareth
d). Jerusalem
Answer: b). Bethlehem
Explanation: Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, which was then part of the Roman empire.
Q. Christians in Kerala are known as
a). Marathas
b). Syrian Christians
c). Parsis
d). Jains
Answer: b). Syrian Christians
Explanation: The Christians of Kerala, known as Syrian Christians because they came from West Asia, are amongst the oldest Christian communities in the world.