UPSC Static Quiz – History : 15 July 2025

Solution: C

• Lothal – 2. Gujarat – iii. An artificial dockyard: Lothal, located in Gujarat, was a vital port city of the Harappan Civilization. Its most distinctive feature is a large rectangular basin identified by archaeologists as an artificial dockyard, the earliest of its kind in the world. This structure, connected to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river, facilitated maritime trade with Mesopotamia and other regions. Lothal was also a major center for bead-making. Thus, A matches with 2 and iii.
• Kalibangan – 3. Rajasthan – i. Ploughed field surface: Kalibangan, situated on the banks of the Ghaggar river in Rajasthan, has yielded the world’s earliest evidence of a ploughed field surface from its early Harappan levels. The field shows a criss-cross pattern of furrows, suggesting the practice of sowing two different crops simultaneously. The site is also known for its unique fire altars. Thus, B matches with 3 and i.

C. Banawali – 1. Haryana – ii. Terracotta replica of a plough: Banawali, located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, is a significant Harappan site. A unique and important finding from this site is a well-preserved terracotta model (replica) of a plough. This artifact provides crucial evidence about the agricultural implements used by the Harappans for tilling their fields. Thus, C matches with 1 and ii.

Solution: B

The emergence of Buddhism and Jainism was a watershed moment in the religious and philosophical history of India, driven by specific socio-economic and religious factors.

• Statement 1 is correct. A primary cause for the rise of these heterodox sects was the growing religious unrest against the practices of the later Vedic period. The emphasis on complex, expensive, and often violent animal sacrifices (yajnas) was not acceptable to many sections of the population. The philosophical content of the Upanishads was too abstract for the common people. Buddhism and Jainism offered a simpler, more intelligible, and ethical path to salvation, devoid of elaborate rituals.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Both Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama Buddha belonged to the Kshatriya Varna, not the Brahmana Varna. Mahavira was a Jnatrika prince, and Buddha was a Sakya prince. Their Kshatriya origin is significant, as it represented a reaction from the warrior and ruling class against the ritualistic and social supremacy claimed by the Brahmanas.

Statement 3 is correct. The Vaisya community, which included merchants, traders, and artisans, had gained significant economic power with the growth of trade and urban centers in the 6th century BCE. However, their social status in the orthodox Varna system was third, below the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas. The new religions, which did not sanction the Varna system as rigidly and condemned practices that hindered trade (like large-scale animal sacrifice), were naturally appealing to them. The emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) also promoted a peaceful environment conducive to trade. Consequently, the merchant class became one of the chief patrons of both Buddhism and Jainism.

Solution: C

Mauryan art and architecture represent a major landmark in Indian history, characterized by imperial patronage and technical brilliance.

• Statement 1 is correct. While wood was used extensively, as evidenced by Megasthenes’ description of the palace at Pataliputra, the Mauryan era, particularly under Ashoka, is notable for being the first to use stone on a large scale for architectural and sculptural purposes. This includes the magnificent pillars, rock-cut caves, and stupa railings, marking a major transition in Indian building traditions.
• Statement 2 is correct. The pillars of Ashoka are one of the most famous examples of Mauryan art. A key distinguishing feature is that they are monolithic, meaning they were carved from a single piece of sandstone, unlike the Achaemenid pillars which were constructed in sections. Another remarkable feature is their highly polished, mirror-like surface, often called ‘Mauryan polish’, which has survived for centuries and showcases the incredible technical skill of the artisans.
• Statement 3 is correct. The Lion Capital of Sarnath is the most celebrated piece of Mauryan sculpture. It originally surmounted an Ashokan pillar erected at Sarnath, near Varanasi. This site was chosen because it was where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, an event known as Dhammachakrapravartana (Turning of the Wheel of Law). The capital, with its four majestic lions standing back to back, was thus built to commemorate this pivotal event in Buddhist history. It was adopted as the National Emblem of India in 1950.

Solution: C

The Gupta economy was characterized by agrarian expansion, a changing trade scenario, and a distinctive coinage system.

• Statement 1 is correct. The Gupta rulers are credited with issuing the largest number of gold coins in ancient Indian history. These coins, known as Dinars, were of excellent quality and artistic merit, often depicting the rulers in various poses (like the archer type or lyrist type) and featuring deities like Lakshmi. However, the purity of gold in the coins declined in the later Gupta period, indicating economic stress.
• Statement 2 is correct. While trade with Southeast Asia continued, the highly profitable long-distance trade with the Roman Empire, which had flourished in the post-Mauryan period (especially under the Kushanas and Satavahanas), saw a significant decline from the 3rd century CE onwards. This was due to the internal turmoil in the Roman Empire and later, the Byzantines learning the art of silk cultivation from the Chinese, which reduced their dependence on the Silk Road and Indian intermediaries. This decline in trade with the West is considered a factor in the economic changes of the Gupta period.

Statement 3 is correct. The practice of granting land to Brahmanas for religious and educational purposes, known as Brahmadeya or Agrahara grants, which began under the Satavahanas, became a widespread and established feature of the Gupta period. These grants were often tax-free and sometimes included the transfer of administrative rights over the donated land and its inhabitants, contributing to the growth of a landed priestly class and the development of a feudal-like structure in the countryside.

Solution: B

The Chalukyas of Badami presided over a prosperous and diverse socio-economic system in the Deccan.

• Statement 1 is correct. The Chalukyan state had a well-organized system of taxation to fund its administration and military. Inscriptions mention various taxes, including Herjunka (a tax on loads), Kirukula (a tax on retail goods in transit), Bilkode (a sales tax), Pannaya (a tax on betel leaves), and Siddaya (a land tax), indicating a complex revenue system.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. While the economy was primarily agrarian, it was not exclusively so. The Chalukyas had a flourishing internal and external trade network. They exported commodities like textiles, spices, and precious stones and imported goods like horses. The existence of numerous temples and urban centers also points to a vibrant craft production sector.
• Statement 3 is correct. The Chalukyan rulers were followers of Brahmanical Hinduism and performed Vedic sacrifices. However, they followed a policy of religious tolerance. Jainism prospered during their reign, and they made grants to Jaina scholars and institutions. The famous Aihole inscription was composed by the Jaina poet Ravikirti, who was honored in the court of Pulakesin II.
• Statement 4 is incorrect. Buddhism did not flourish extensively under the Chalukyas. The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, who visited during this period, noted the decline of Buddhism in the western Deccan. While Buddhist centers existed, the religion was not in a dominant position compared to Hinduism and Jainism.