UPSC 2000 Ancient History Questions with Answers

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Ashoka annexed Kalinga after the brutal Kalinga War (261 BCE), which deeply impacted him and led to his adoption of Dhamma (Buddhist principles). Reason (R) is true: Kalinga held a strategic position with control over important land and sea routes to South India, which made it economically and militarily significant. He retained Kalinga after its conquest and incorporated it into his empire over its sheer importance with respect to land and sea trade connectivity. Thus, R explains A. Hence, Option (a) is correct.

Explanation

Military governorship in ancient India, particularly during the periods of the Mauryan, Gupta, and Kushana empires, was a key feature of the administrative structure. Amongst the given options, Greeks were the first who introduced military governorship in India. They appointed their Governors called Strategos. These military governors had both military and administrative authority and were responsible for maintaining control and collecting taxes. The practice was further continued by subsequent foreign invaders and Indian rulers as well such as Sakas, Parthians and later Mughals.

Explanation

The Alexander’s invasion of India in 326 B.C is a pivotal moment in ancient history, marking the encounter between Greek and Indian civilizations. At the time of Alexander’s invasion in 326 B.C., the northern part of India was under the rule of the Nanda dynasty (343 - 321 BCE). The king of the Nanda dynasty at the time of Alexander’s invasion of India was Dhanananda.

Explanation

The feudal system in ancient India was a socio-economic and political structure characterized by a hierarchy of landownership and obligations, where land was held in exchange for service, primarily military or administrative. Assertion(A) is true: The feudal system, a hierarchical system of land-use and protection, originated in ancient India due to military campaigns. This is true because, during wars and conquests, victorious rulers granted land to military officers and local chiefs as a reward for their service. These landholders, called samantas, later became hereditary lords, leading to the emergence of feudal structures. Reason (R) is also true: During the post Mauryan and Gupta period feudal system became the main state apparatus as the Guptas granted large land tracts (agraharas and bhukti) to Brahmins, officers, and feudatories (samantas). These landholders gained administrative and military control, further decentralizing power. Reason (R) is not a correct explanation of Assertion(A):

Feudal system expanded through other factors, not simply the Gupta period.The emergence of feudalism in India was influenced by the arrival of various foreign invaders and rulers.