UPSC 2003 Ancient History Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Maurya (321 BCE - 185 BCE), Sunga (185 BCE - 73 BCE), and Kanva dynasties (73 BCE - 30 BCE) represent significant eras in ancient Indian history, spanning the rule from centralized imperial administration to regional governance and eventual fragmentation.

Statement 1 is correct: The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga, who then established the Sunga dynasty (185 BCE).

Statement 2 is correct: The last Sunga king, Devabhuti, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva, a Brahmana, who subsequently usurped the throne and founded the Kanva dynasty (73 BCE).

Statement 3 is correct: The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was overthrown by the Andhras (also known as the Satavahanas) around 30 BCE, marking the end of the Kanva dynasty and the establishment of the Satavahana dynasty in central India.

Explanation

Buddhism and Jainism part of the Shramana traditions are two ancient Indian religions that originated around the same time, during the 6th century BCE. They emphasized asceticism, non-violence, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. They offered alternative philosophies to Vedic ritualism, focusing on personal spiritual practices and ethical living.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother, Trishala, was the sister (and not daughter) of Chetaka, a chief of the Lichchhavi clan. The Lichchhavis were known for their democratic and republican system of governance.

Statement 2 is correct: Gautama Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi, was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty. She was married to King Suddhodana of the Shakya clan and was the mother of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha.

Statement 3 is correct: Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, was associated with Benaras (Varanasi), where he was born. According to Jain tradition, he was born into a royal family and preached a doctrine of non-violence, truth, and asceticism. The serpent symbol is associated with him.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Pulakeshin-I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty and ruled in the early 6th century, i.e. before Harsha’s time.

Option (b) is correct: Emperor Harsha (606-647 CE) expanded his empire across North India, ruling from Kannauj and influencing regions like Punjab, Bengal, Odisha, and Central India. Seeking to extend his control southward beyond the Vindhyas, he invaded the Deccan but was defeated by Pulakeshin II, the Chalukya ruler (c. 610-642 CE), around 618-619 CE at the Narmada River. This defeat established the Narmada as the boundary between Harsha’s northern empire and the Chalukyan kingdom, preventing further expansion into the south.

Option (c) is incorrect: Vikramaditya-I was a later Chalukya king, ruling after Pulakeshin-II.

Option (d) is incorrect: Vikramaditya-II ruled even later than Vikramaditya-I and his reign did not overlap with Harsha’s.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Cholas were successful in defeating the Pandya and Chera rulers, establishing a stronghold in peninsular India, and significantly expanding their territorial control in South India during the early medieval period. For example, under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, the Cholas defeated these rulers and extended their empire across peninsular India.

Statement 2 is correct: The Cholas were also known for their naval power and maritime trade, which led them to conduct expeditions to South-East Asia. Their naval campaigns extended the Chola influence to regions like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia, where they challenged the Sailendra Empire. For instance, Rajendra Chola I led a successful naval expedition (1025 CE) against the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand). The Cholas temporarily conquered some areas, demonstrating their naval supremacy in the region.