Thursday, July 10, 2014

Quiz 644: Ancient History and Culture for IAS Examinations

1. Consider the following observations about the "Sulbasutras" discussed in context with the ancient Indian history and heritage:
1. The formulae in the Sulbasutras enabled the accurate construction of altars needed for sacrifices
2. Apart from Bodhayana, Lopamudra is also credited for some Sulbasutras
3. The mathematics in the Baudhayan's Sulbasutras was algebraic
Which among the above observations is / are correct?
[A]Only 1 is correct
[B]Only 1 & 2 are correct
[C]Only 2 & 3 are correct
[D]1, 2 & 3 are correct

Only 1 is correct
The second statement is not correct because Lopamudra is not associated with Sulbasutras. The third statement is not correct because The Sulbasutras of baudhayana contains geometric solutions (but not algebraic ones) of a linear equation in a single unknown. Quadratic equations of the forms ax2 = c and ax2+bx = c appear.

2. The temples constructed at Khajuraho are:
1. Jain temples
2. Vaishnavite Temples
3. Saivite Temples
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A]Only 1 & 3
[B]Only 2 & 3
[C]1, 2 & 3
[D]Only 1 & 2

1, 2 & 3
Khajuraho, as we know, is the ancient capital of the Chandela Dynasty. The temples here were erected simultaneously in the 11th century and are nearly equally divided among the three religions viz. Jaina, Saiva and Vaishnava. Each group has one shrine greater than the rest around which small temples have been clustered. This largest temple is Kandariya Mahadev in Saivite, Ramachandra in Vaishnavite and Jinanatha in Jain.

3. The "Siddhimatrika" script was one of the forms of writing Sanskrit in ancient India. This script, which made Sanskrit works known in China and Japan was developed during the times of ___:
[A]Kanishka
[B]Harsha
[C]Meander
[D]Chandragupta Vikramaditya

Harsha
During the times of Harsha, an script called Siddhimatrika was developed which is sometimes called Harsha Script. Please note that Siddhimatrika was the form of writing in which Sanskrit works became known in China and Japan.

4. Which among the following scripts of modern India have descended from the Sarda Script?
1. Gurmukhi
2. Dogri
3. Sindhi
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 1 & 2
[C]Only 2 & 3
[D]1, 2 & 3

1, 2 & 3
Sarada is a script of the Brahmic family of scripts, developed around the 8th century. It was used for writing Sanskrit and Kashmiri. The Gurmukhi script was developed from Sarada by Guru Angad. Originally more widespread, its use became later restricted to Kashmir, and it is now rarely used except by the Kashmiri Pandit community for ceremonial purposes. There are several variants of Sarada Scripts such as Takkari or Tankari which is the parent of the Dogri script, Kului script (Kullu in Himachal Pradesh), Chameali Script (in Chamba Himachal Pradesh), Sindhi, Bania of Punjab etc.

5. To perform which among the following functions, Rajukas were appointed by Asoka?
[A]Revenue Functions
[B]Judicial Functions
[C]Religious Functions
[D]Military Functions

Judicial Functions

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