[Mission 2022] QUIZ – 2022: INSIGHTS STATIC QUIZ, 11 February 2022 – Ancient & Medieval India + Art & Culture

Solution: b)

One of the most significant input of Brahmagupta to mathematics was the introduction of ‘zero’ to the number system which stood for ‘nothing’. His work the ‘Brahmasphutasiddhanta’ contained many mathematical findings written in verse form.

• It had many rules of arithmetic which is part of the mathematical solutions now.
• Brahmagupta was the one to give the area of a triangle and the important rules of trigonometry such as values of the sin function.
• He introduced the formula for cyclic quadrilaterals. He also gave the value of ‘Pi’ as square root ten to be accurate and 3 as the practical value. Additionally he introduced the concept of negative numbers.

Solution: c)

Chandragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja, a title that his son Samudragupta also used. His great grandfather and grandfather are mentioned simply as maha-rajas. It seems as if the family gradually rose to importance.

Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena, who was a poet and a minister at the court of Samudragupta. This inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’.

Solution: a)

• In his early life, Harsha was a devout Saiva but later he became an ardent Hinayana Buddhist.
• Hiuen Tsang converted him to Mahayana Buddhism. Harsha prohibited the use of animal food in his kingdom and punished those who kill any living being.
• Dowry system was prevalent in Harsha’s empire.
• Harsha organized a religious assembly at Kanauj to honour the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang towards the close of his reign. He invited representatives of all religious sects. It was attended by 20 kings, 1000 scholars from the Nalanda University, 3000 Hinayanists and Mahayanists, 3000 Brahmins and Jains.

Solution: c)

Brihaspati laid the foundation stone for Charvaka School of Philosophy and it was supposed to be one of the earliest schools that developed a philosophical theory.

The word ‘Lokayata’ also meant a keen attachment to the physical and material world (loka).

They argued for a complete disregard of any world beyond this world that was inhabited by a person.

They argued against Gods and their representatives on the earth – the priestly class. They argued that a Brahman manufactures false rituals so as to acquire gifts (dakshina) from the followers.

Man is the centre of all activities and he should enjoy himself as long as he lives. He should consume all earthly goods and indulge in sensual pleasure.

Solution: b)

Over centuries, India’s intellectual exploration of truth has come to be represented by six systems of philosophy. These are known as Vaishesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimansa and Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa. These six systems of philosophy are said to have been founded by sages Kanada, Akshpaad Gautam, Kapila, Patanjali, Jaimini and Vyasa, respectively.