UPSC 2016 Ancient History Questions with Answers

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Eripatti was a special kind of land donated by individuals. The revenue from it was set aside for the maintenance of tanks in the village.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: During the Chola administration, occasionally a very large village would be administered as a single unit and this was called Taniyur. These villages were not necessarily just large administrative units but could also be village settlements that were either wholly or largely populated by Brahmins or associated with religious functions.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ghatikas were educational institutions, often associated with temples, where learning took place. These colleges were centers for higher education, particularly in subjects like philosophy, logic, and religious studies.

Explanation

The British played a significant role in reconstructing India’s ancient history through archaeological excavations, such as those at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and the translation of ancient texts like the Vedas and Arthashastra. Their efforts helped revive interest in India’s rich cultural and historical heritage, though often through a colonial lens.

Option (b) is correct: James Prinsep, an officer in the East India Company’s mint, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837, unlocking the meaning of Ashoka’s edicts. His discovery revealed the king referred to as Piyadassi ("pleasant to behold"), later identified as Ashoka. This breakthrough was crucial in reconstructing the Mauryan period and understanding Ashoka’s role in Indian history. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Georg Bühler was a German Indologist known for his work on Sanskrit and ancient Indian inscriptions. Max Müller was a German philologist who contributed to the study of the Vedas and Sanskrit literature. William Jones was an Orientalist who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is famous for recognizing the relationship between Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek.

Explanation

In ancient India, the Magadhas were professional bards (poets and storytellers) who specialized in memorizing and reciting chronicles, dynastic histories, and epic tales. They played a significant role in preserving oral traditions and passing down historical events before written records became widespread. They were closely associated with court traditions, where they narrated the achievements of kings and noble families. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Agrahara: means grant given to Brahmins, it was perpetual, hereditary and tax free. Agraharika refers to the residents of agraharas, which were village settlements primarily for Brahmins. Shramana: Buddhism, Jainism, and other non-Brahmanical ascetic traditions, collectively known as Sramanic religions, emerged as alternatives to the Vedic faith. Parivrajaka: means "One who roams around ‘’. The Sanskrit word parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English.