Insights Static Quiz -447, 2019–History

Solution: c)

Buddhists and Jains both claim that Ajatasatru was a follower of their religion. But it is generally believed that in the beginning he was a follower of Jainism and subsequently embraced Buddhism. He is said to have met Gautama Buddha. This scene is also depicted in the sculptures of Barhut. According to the Mahavamsa, he constructed several chaityas and viharas. He was also instrumental in convening the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha soon after the death of the Buddha.

Mahapadma Nanda was a powerful ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He uprooted the kshatriya dynasties in north India and assumed the title ekarat. The Puranas speak of the extensive conquests made by Mahapadma. The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga refers to the conquest of Kalinga by the Nandas.

The oppressive way of tax collection by Dhana Nanda was resented by the people. Taking advantage of this, Chandragupta Maurya and Kautilya initiated a popular movement against the Nanda rule. It was during this time that Alexander invaded India.

Solution: b)

The Persian invasion provided an impetus to the growth of Indo-Iranian commerce. Also, it prepared the ground for Alexander’s invasion. The use of the Kharoshti script, a form of Iranian writing became popular in northwestern India and some of Asoka’s edicts were written in that script. We are able to see the influence of Persian art on the art of the Mauryas, particularly the monolithic pillars of Asoka and the sculptures found on them. The very idea of issuing edicts by Asoka and the wording used in the edicts are traced to Iranian influence. In short, the Iranian connection with India proved more fruitful than the short-lived Indo-

Macedonian contact.

Solution: b)

Efficient organization of administration in the direction of social welfare and maintenance of constant contact with people through the system of Dhammayatras (tours) was an important feature of Ashoka’s dhamma.

The Dhamma Mahamatras were asked by Asoka to take steps against unjust imprisonment. Remission of sentences is also mentioned in Asoka’s inscriptions. But, he did not advocate non-punishment.

Other features were:

• Service to father and mother, practice of ahimsa, love of truth, reverence to teachers and good treatment of relatives.
• Prohibition of animal sacrifices and festive gatherings and avoiding expensive and meaningless ceremonies and rituals.
• Humane treatment of servants by masters and prisoners by government officials.
• Consideration and non-violence to animals and courtesy to relations and liberality to Brahmins.

Solution: c)

The Pallavas had a well-organized administrative system. The King provided land-grants to the temples known as Devadhana and also to the Brahmans known as Brahmadeya.

Land tax was the primary source of the government revenue. The Brahmadeya and Devadhana lands were exempted from tax.

Traders and artisans such as carpenters, goldsmiths, washermen, oil-pressers and weavers paid taxes to the government.

Solution: b)

The charter act of 1813, for the first time explicitly defined the constitutional position of the British territories in India.