Q. Who excavated Hastinapura in Meerut?
A). R. D. Banerji
B). B. B. Lal
C). Mortimer Wheeler
D). Alexander Cunningham
Answer: B). B. Lal
Explanation: Hastinapura was excavated by B. B. Lal.
Q. Kunti O Nishadi is related to which epic tradition?
A). Ramayana
B). Mahabharata
C). Puranas
D). Jatakas
Answer: B). Mahabharata
Explanation: The work is based on characters from the Mahabharata.
Q. The Mahabharata was compiled over?
A). 500 BCE – 500 CE
B). 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
C). 200 CE – 600 CE
D). 600 CE – 1000 CE
Answer: A). 500 BCE – 500 CE
Q. Which language was used by Buddhists for teachings?
A). Sanskrit
B). Pali
C). Persian
D). Greek
Answer: B). Pali
Explanation: Pali was used to reach common people.
Q. Which system strengthened social inequality?
A). Guild system
B). Varna system
C). Trade network
D). Urbanisation
Answer: B). Varna system
Explanation: The varna system reinforced inequality.
Q. Which source helps historians understand social divisions?
A). Coins
B). Manusmriti
C). Architecture
D). Paintings
Answer: B). Manusmriti
Explanation: Manusmriti gives details of social hierarchy.
Q. Which term refers to a group claiming descent from a common ancestor?
A). Varna
B). Jati
C). Lineage
D). Occupation
Answer: C). Lineage
Explanation: Lineage traces descent from a common ancestor.
Q. What does the term patriliny mean?
A). Tracing descent through the mother
B). Tracing descent through the father
C). Living with the wife’s family
D). Marriage outside the clan
Answer: B). Tracing descent through the father
Q. What does the term matriliny mean?
A). Tracing descent through the father
B). Tracing descent through the mother
C). Living with the husband’s family
D). Marriage within the clan
Answer: B). Tracing descent through the mother
Q. Match the following social practices with their correct meanings:
1). Endogamy
2). Exogamy
3). Polygamy
4). Polyandry
a). Marriage of one woman with several men
b). Marriage outside one’s clan or group
c). Marriage within one’s clan or group
d). Marriage of one man with more than one woman
Option:
A). 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c
B). 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
C). 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
D). 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
Answer: C). 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
Q. Dharmashastras written in?
A). Pali
B). Prakrit
C). Sanskrit
D). Tamil
Answer: C). Sanskrit
Explanation: Dharmashastras focused on social hierarchy, duties, and punishments.
Q. According to the Dharmashastras, how many forms of marriage were recognised?
A). Four
B). Six
C). Eight
D). Ten
Answer: C). Eight
Q. Manusmriti was compiled between which of the following periods?
A). 500 BCE – 300 BCE
B). 200 BCE – 200 CE
C). 200 CE – 600 CE
D). 600 CE – 1000 CE
Answer: B). 200 BCE – 200 CE
Explanation: Manusmriti was compiled roughly between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
Q. Mlechchhas were considered?
A). Fully part of the varna system
B). Outsiders and foreigners
C). Shudras only
D). Kshatriyas
Answer: B). Outsiders and foreigners
Explanation: Mlechchhas were outside Brahmanical society.
Q. Who rebuilt the Sudarshana Lake in the second century CE?
A). Ashoka
B). Chandragupta Maurya
C). Rudradaman
D). Samudragupta
Answer: C). Rudradaman
Explanation: Rudradaman belonged to the Shaka dynasty.
Q. Who wrote the Sanskrit play Mrichchhakatika?
A). Kalidasa
B). Shudraka
C). Bhasa
D). Vishakhadatta
Answer: B). Shudraka
Explanation: It provides insights into ordinary life and urban culture.
Q. Majjhima Nikaya is a collection of dialogues between?
A). Kings and Brahmanas
B). Buddha and his disciples
C). Merchants and monks
D). Priests and rulers
Answer: B). Buddha and his disciples
Q. Match the following Chinese travellers with the correct period of their visit to India:
1). Fa-Hien (Faxian) a). Seventh century C.E.
2). Xuan Zang b). Fifth century C.E.
Options:
A). 1–b, 2–a
B). 1–a, 2–b
Answer: A). 1–b, 2–a
Q. Matanga Jataka is written?
A). Sanskrit
B). Pali
C). Prakrit
D). Tamil
Answer: B). Pali
Explanation: Most Jataka tales were written in Pali.
Q. Queen Prabhavati Gupta belongs to which kingdom?
A). Gupta Empire
B). Vakataka Kingdom
C). Maurya Empire
D). Kushana Empire
Answer: B). Vakataka Kingdom
Q. The Mahabharata was composed over a long period between?
A). 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE
B). 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
C). 500 BCE – 500 CE
D). 100 CE – 1000 CE
Answer: C). 500 BCE – 500 CE
Explanation: The text was compiled over several centuries.
Q. Which language was primarily used in the Mahabharata?
A). Pali
B). Prakrit
C). Sanskrit
D). Tamil
Answer: C). Sanskrit
Explanation: The Mahabharata is composed in simple Sanskrit.
Q. The main conflict in the Mahabharata is between which two groups?
A). Ikshvakus and Shakas
B). Kauravas and Pandavas
C). Mauryas and Nandas
D). Guptas and Vakatakas
Answer: B). Kauravas and Pandavas
Explanation: The epic centres on the Kurukshetra war.