Q. The concept of Varna came in which period?
a). Early Vedic period
b). Later Vedic period
c). Harappan period
d). Mauryan period
Answer: b). Later Vedic period
Explanation: The Varna system or division of society into four groups (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) developed during the Later Vedic period, becoming more rigid over time.
Q. Match the following pairs of Varna with their functions:
Column A (Varna) Column B (Functions)
1. Brahmins a). To serve others and do manual work
2. Kshatriyas b). To perform rituals and teach the Vedas
3. Vaishyas c). To protect people and fight wars
4. Shudras d). To trade, farm, and rear animals
Options:
a). 1–b, 2–c, 3–d, 4–a
b). 1–c, 2–b, 3–a, 4–d
c). 1–a, 2–d, 3–b, 4–c
d). 1–d, 2–a, 3–c, 4–b
Answer: a). 1–b, 2–c, 3–d, 4–a
Q. Which Varna was not allowed to perform sacrifices or study the Vedas?
a). Brahmins
b). Kshatriyas
c). Vaishyas
d). Shudras
Answer: d). Shudras
Explanation: Shudras were the lowest Varna in the Vedic social order and were not permitted to perform sacrifices or study the Vedas. Their main duty was to serve the other three Varnas.
Q. Read the following statements about the Ashvamedha Yajna and choose the correct option:
1. A horse was let loose to wander freely, guarded by soldiers.
2. If the horse entered another kingdom and was stopped, it led to a war.
3. The kings who performed the yajna were ordinary villagers.
4. The performance of the Ashvamedha Yajna was a symbol of power and control.
Options:
a). 1, 2, and 4 are correct
b). 1 and 3 are correct
c). 2 and 3 are correct
d). All statements are correct
Answer: a). 1, 2, and 4 are correct
Q. The term ‘Vish’ in the Rigveda refers to —
a). Priests
b). Common people or clans
c). Rulers
d). Servants
Answer: b). Common people or clans
Explanation: The ‘Vish’ were smaller clans or groups within a Jana, usually consisting of families of common people.
Q. The word ‘Janapada’ literally means —
a). Land where people put their feet
b). Land of priests
c). Land of merchants
d). Land of kings
Answer: a). Land where people put their feet
Explanation: ‘Jana’ means people and ‘pada’ means foot, so Janapada means land settled by a group of people.
Q. The Janapadas were ruled by —
a). Priests only
b). Assemblies of people
c). Kings or rajas
d). Traders
Answer: c). Kings or rajas
Explanation: The Raja or king was the head of the Janapada and ruled with the help of assemblies and officials.
Q. One special type of pottery found at Janapadas is known as —
a). Painted Red Ware
b). Black Ware
c). Black and Red Ware
d). Grey Ware
Answer: d). Grey Ware
Explanation: These grey pots had painted designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns
Q. How many Mahajanapadas were there around 2500 years ago?
a). 10
b). 12
c). 16
d). 20
Answer: c). 16
Explanation: There were 16 Mahajanapadas in north India, such as Magadha, Koshala, Avanti, and Vajji.
Q. The capital cities of Mahajanapadas were often —
a). Temporary huts
b). Protected by strong walls and moats
c). Located in deserts
d). Without any defence
Answer: b). Protected by strong walls and moats
Explanation: Capitals were fortified to protect people from attacks and to show royal power.
Q. The rulers of Mahajanapadas maintained armies that consisted of —
a). Only elephants
b). Only priests and farmers
c). Soldiers, elephants, horses, and chariots
d). Traders and workers
Answer: c). Soldiers, elephants, horses, and chariots
Explanation: Large standing armies with elephants, horses, and chariots made Mahajanapadas powerful.
Q. Which Mahajanapada became the most powerful one?
a). Avanti
b). Magadha
c). Kuru
d). Vajji
Answer: b). Magadha
Explanation: Magadha, located in present-day Bihar, emerged as the strongest Mahajanapada under rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.
Q. The capital of Magadha was —
a). Vaishali
b). Rajagriha
c). Taxila
d). Ujjain
Answer: b). Rajagriha
Explanation: Rajagriha (Rajgir) was the capital of Magadha, known for its strong fortifications and hilly location.
Q. The kingdom of Magadha later shifted its capital from Rajagriha to —
a). Vaishali
b). Pataliputra
c). Ujjain
d). Taxila
Answer: b). Pataliputra
Explanation: The capital of Magadha was first at Rajagriha, but later it was shifted to Pataliputra (modern Patna).
Q. To maintain armies and officials, kings started collecting —
a). Gifts only
b). Donations from priests
c). Regular taxes from people
d). Free labour
Answer: c). Regular taxes from people
Explanation: For the first time, regular and systematic taxes were collected from farmers, herders, and craftsmen.
Q. The tax paid by farmers was usually —
a). One-fourth of the produce
b). One-sixth of the produce
c). One-tenth of the produce
d). Half of the produce
Answer: b). One-sixth of the produce
Explanation: Farmers paid one-sixth of their produce as tax, called bhaga (share).
Q. Craftsmen and herders paid taxes in the form of —
a). Coins
b). Free labour
c). Products like cloth, metal goods, and animals
d). No tax
Answer: c). Products like cloth, metal goods, and animals
Q. The ploughs used by farmers in ancient times were mainly made up of —
a). Stone
b). Iron
c). Bronze
d). Clay
Answer: b). Iron
Q. The kingdom of Magadha was located on the banks of which two rivers?
a). Ganga and Son
b). Yamuna and Saraswati
c). Narmada and Tapi
d). Godavari and Krishna
Answer: a). Ganga and Son
Explanation: Magadha was situated on the fertile plains between the Ganga and Son rivers, which provided water, fertile soil, and trade routes, helping it become a powerful kingdom.
Q. Alexander was the ruler of —
a). China
b). Greece
c). Macedonia
d). Persia
Answer: c). Macedonia
Explanation: Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia, a region in northern Greece, who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.
Q. Alexander invaded north-western India around —
a). 2500 years ago
b). 2300 years ago
c). 2000 years ago
d). 1500 years ago
Answer: b). 2300 years ago
Explanation: Alexander’s invasion of north-western India took place about 2300 years ago, around 327 BCE.
Q. Alexander’s army refused to march further east because —
a). They were defeated by Indian kings
b). They heard of powerful rulers
c). They ran out of food and water
d). The weather was too cold
Answer: b). They heard of powerful rulers
Q. Alexander reached the banks of which river when he entered north-western India?
a). Ganga
b). Beas
c). Yamuna
d). Indus
Answer: b). Beas
Q. Vajji was an example of —
a). Monarchy
b). Republic (Gana/Sangha)
c). Empire
d). Small village
Answer: b). Republic (Gana/Sangha)
Explanation: Vajji, with its capital at Vaishali, was a republic where decisions were taken collectively by assemblies rather than a single king.
Q. The capital of Vajji was —
a). Rajagriha
b). Vaishali
c). Pataliputra
d). Ujjain
Answer: b). Vaishali
Explanation: Vaishali was the capital of the Vajji confederacy, known for its democratic assembly system.
Q. The political system of Vajji is also called —
a). Janapada system
b). Mahajanapada system
c). Gana or Sangha system
d). Caste system
Answer: c). Gana or Sangha system
Explanation: Gana or Sangha refers to a republic where people collectively made decisions, unlike monarchies.
Q. In a Gana or Sangha, decisions were taken —
a). By the king
b). By a group meeting or assembly
c). By priests
d). By merchants
Answer: b). By a group meeting or assembly
Explanation: Assemblies of representatives discussed and made collective decisions in republics.
Q. In a Sangha, decisions were made by —
a). The king alone
b). Priests alone
c). Assemblies of selected or elected men
d). Foreign rulers
Answer: c). Assemblies of selected or elected men
Q. Which of the following is true about Jana?
a). It was ruled by a council of priests only
b). It had a chief elected or recognized by the people
c). It was a small family unit
d). It was part of a foreign empire
Answer: b). It had a chief elected or recognized by the people
Q. Which minister did the Magadha king send to Buddha before attacking the Vajji republic?
a). Vassakara
b). Amrapali
c). Charakha
d). Brahmadatta
Answer: a). Vassakara
Explanation: Before attacking the Vajji confederacy, the Magadha king (Ajatashatru) sent his minister Vassakara to seek advice from Buddha
Q. The early form of democracy in ancient Greece was practiced in —
a). Athens
b). Sparta
c). Rome
d). Macedonia
Answer: a). Athens
Q. In ancient Athens, who were not treated as citizens?
a). Foreigners
b). Slaves
c). Women
d). All of these
Answer: d). All of these
Explanation: All free men over the age of 30 were recognised as full citizens.