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Which Bhakti saint preached the philosophy of 'Achintya Bheda Abheda'?
- Ramanuja
- Madhva
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
- Vallabhacharya
Answer: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) preached 'Achintya Bheda Abheda' (inconceivable oneness and difference) in Bengal. He emphasized Krishna bhakti through kirtan and inspired the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. [[1]]
The 'Virashaiva' movement is also known as the ______ movement.
Answer: Lingayat
The Virashaiva movement, founded by Basavanna, is also called Lingayat. Followers worship Shiva in the form of a personal linga worn on the body and reject Brahmanical rituals and caste hierarchy. [[30]]
The 'Alvars' and 'Nayanars' were Bhakti saints of South India who composed devotional hymns.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Alvars (Vaishnava) and Nayanars (Shaiva) were Bhakti saints (6th-9th century) in South India. They composed Tamil hymns (Divya Prabandham, Tevaram) that emphasized personal devotion and social inclusivity. [[1]]
The 'Lingayat' movement in Karnataka was founded by:
- Basavanna
- Ramanuja
- Madhva
- Nimbarka
Answer: Basavanna
Basavanna (12th century) founded the Lingayat movement in Karnataka, emphasizing personal devotion to Shiva through the Ishtalinga. It rejected caste discrimination and ritualism, promoting social equality. [[30]]
Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II and documented Buddhist sites.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India (399-414 CE) during Chandragupta II's reign. His travelogue 'Fo-Kuo-Chi' describes Buddhist monasteries, practices, and the prosperous Gupta administration. [[1]]
Which Portuguese traveler wrote 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' during Jahangir's reign?
- Duarte Barbosa
- Fernao Nuniz
- Antonio Monserrate
- Niccolao Manucci
Answer: Antonio Monserrate
Antonio Monserrate, a Jesuit missionary, visited Akbar's and Jahangir's courts. His account provides insights into Mughal administration, military, and religious policies from a European perspective. [[30]]
The Moroccan traveler ______ visited India during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign and wrote 'Rihla'.
Answer: Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta visited India (1333-1342) during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign. His travelogue 'Rihla' provides vivid accounts of Delhi Sultanate administration, society, and the Sultan's eccentric policies. [[1]]
Megasthenes wrote 'Indica', describing Mauryan India during Chandragupta Maurya's reign.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Megasthenes, Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya's court, wrote 'Indica' (fragments survive). It describes Mauryan administration, society, and geography, though with some inaccuracies. [[30]]
Which Chinese traveler visited India during Harsha's reign and wrote 'Si-yu-ki'?
- Fa-Hien
- Hiuen Tsang
- I-Tsing
- Xuanzang
Answer: Hiuen Tsang
Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during Harsha's reign (630-645 CE). His travelogue 'Si-yu-ki' provides detailed accounts of Indian society, Buddhism, administration, and geography. [[1]]
The 'Junagadh Rock Inscription' of Rudradaman I is in Sanskrit and praises his achievements.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Junagadh Rock Inscription (150 CE) of Shaka ruler Rudradaman I is one of the earliest long Sanskrit inscriptions. It records the repair of Sudarshana Lake and praises Rudradaman's military and administrative skills. [[30]]
Which inscription provides details about the administrative system of the Cholas?
- Aihole Inscription
- Uttiramerur Inscription
- Junagadh Rock Inscription
- Eran Inscription
Answer: Uttiramerur Inscription
The Uttiramerur Inscription (10th century CE) details the Chola village administration, including qualifications for assembly members, election procedures, and committees for various functions. [[1]]
The 'Nasik Inscription' of Gautami Balashri records the achievements of the Satavahana king ______.
Answer: Gautamiputra Satakarni
The Nasik Inscription (c. 2nd century CE) by Gautami Balashri records her son Gautamiputra Satakarni's victories over Shakas, Pahlavas, and Yavanas. It highlights Satavahana power in the Deccan. [[30]]
Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Prakrit using Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Most Ashokan edicts were in Prakrit using Brahmi script. In northwestern regions, Kharosthi was used. Greek and Aramaic inscriptions were found in Afghanistan, reflecting the empire's multilingual character. [[1]]
The 'Allahabad Pillar Inscription' eulogizes which Gupta emperor?
- Chandragupta I
- Samudragupta
- Chandragupta II
- Skandagupta
Answer: Samudragupta
The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by Harisena, eulogizes Samudragupta's military conquests, generosity, and patronage of arts. It is a key source for Gupta history. [[30]]
The Satavahanas issued lead and potin coins with bilingual legends in Prakrit and Tamil.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Satavahana coins had bilingual legends in Prakrit (using Brahmi script) and sometimes Greek, but not Tamil. They featured symbols like elephant, lion, and ship, indicating trade and royal authority. [[1]]
Which ruler issued coins with the legend 'Vikramaditya'?
- Chandragupta I
- Samudragupta
- Chandragupta II
- Skandagupta
Answer: Chandragupta II
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) issued gold coins with the legend 'Vikramaditya' and titles like 'Parama-bhagavata'. His coins depict him as an archer, lion-slayer, and patron of arts. [[30]]
The Gupta gold coins were known as ______ and were noted for their artistic excellence.
Answer: Dinara
Gupta gold coins (Dinara) were of high purity and featured elegant designs of kings performing rituals, hunting, or playing instruments. They reflect the prosperity and cultural achievements of the Gupta age. [[1]]
The Kushanas issued gold coins with portraits of kings and Greek deities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Kushana gold coins (1st-3rd century CE) featured royal portraits on obverse and Greek, Iranian, or Indian deities on reverse. They facilitated trade along the Silk Road and reflected cultural syncretism. [[30]]
The first punch-marked coins in India were issued by:
- Mauryas
- Janapadas
- Indo-Greeks
- Guptas
Answer: Janapadas
Punch-marked coins (6th-2nd century BCE) were issued by Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti. They were made of silver and bore symbols like sun, moon, and animals, representing early state authority. [[1]]
The 'Adichanallur' site in Tamil Nadu provided evidence of megalithic burial practices.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu) is a megalithic site with urn burials containing iron tools, pottery, and gold artifacts. It provides insights into early historic South Indian societies and trade networks. [[30]]