UPSC 1999 Ancient History Questions with Answers

Explanation

"Aryan" primarily refers to a linguistic or speech group rather than an ethnic or racial group. It is associated with the Indo-Aryan languages, which are a branch of the larger Indo-European language family. The term was historically used to describe the speakers of these languages, who migrated to the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia. However, the details of the migration and the exact identity of these groups remain subjects of scholarly debate.

Explanation

The Huns, a nomadic group originating from the Asian steppes, were a significant force during period. Their invasions played a key role in the broader process of the Western Roman Empire’s decline. After the Hun invasion in the 4th to 5th century, the Roman Empire weakened. This led Indian traders to shift their focus to Southeast Asia. With the decline of Roman trade routes, maritime trade increased with Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, and Cambodia. Indian merchants also spread Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian culture to these regions. During this time, Indian-influenced kingdoms like Srivijaya and Funan became important trade partners.

Explanation

The Indo-Greek Kingdom was a Hellenistic state that existed in parts of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northwestern India from the 2nd century BC to the early 1st century AD.

Option (a) is correct: Bactria was the ancient civilizations of Iranian peoples. Ancient Bactria was located between the Hindu Kush mountain range and the Amu Darya river, covering the flat region that straddles modern-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, Bactria became a Greek kingdom and later came under the rule of various Indo-Greek kings.

Option (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Scythia kingdom comprised the region around Central Asia and north-eastern Europe. It was only in the late 2nd century BC that they invaded the Afghanistan region. Zedrasia is incorrect because there is no historical region or kingdom known as "Zedrasia" associated with the Indo-Greek Kingdom. Aria was important in ancient Persian and Greek history, it was not the area where the Indo-Greek Kingdom was established.

Explanation

The Mahajanapadas were sixteen ancient kingdoms or republics in northern and northeastern India around the 6th century BC. They were significant in shaping India’s political, social, and cultural landscape, with each having its own system of governance. Magadha was the most powerful city-state in India during the 6th century B.C located in present-day Bihar. It was the nucleus of several larger kingdoms or empires between the 6th century BCE and the 8th century CE. The supremacy of Magadha continued under the Nanda (4th century BCE) and Mauryan (4th-2nd century BCE) dynasties. Under the Mauryan dynasty, the empire included almost the entire subcontinent of India.

Explanation

The Gupta Empire, despite being primarily centered in the northern Indian subcontinent, had vast commercial connections with East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The period saw the flourishing of maritime trade, which was facilitated by the strategic location of Indian ports along the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

Option (a) is correct: Tamralipta or Tamralipti was the name of an ancient Gupta port city on the Bay of Bengal corresponding with Tamluk in modern-day India. Tamralipta may have been one of the most important urban centers of trade and commerce of early historic India, trading along the Silk Road with China, by Uttarapatha, the northern high road, the main trade route into the Middle East and Europe; and by seafaring routes to Bali, Java and the Far East.

Explanation

Travel accounts Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Xuanzang and I-Tsing provide invaluable insight into ancient India.

Option (b) is correct:

Megasthenes was an ancient Greek traveler and diplomat sent from Hellenistic king Seleucus I. He visited India during the Mauryan era (321-185 BC). He compiled his account on India in the famous book called ‘Indica’. Fa-Hien was a Chinese Buddhist monk and explorer who traveled through India in search of Buddhist Scriptures during the Gupta period (4th Century CE to 6th Century CE). Hiuen Tsang (629-645 C.E) or Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India during the reign of King Harsha Vardhana to obtain the Buddhist scriptures, He is also known as the "Prince of Pilgrims,". I-Tsing was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler who journeyed to India. After visiting the important Buddhist sites in Magadha, he spent ten years (676-685) at the renowned Nalanda monastery