20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
Which Harappan site is known for the remains of a dockyard?
Answer: (3) Lothal
Explanation
Lothal in Gujarat has a brick-built dockyard, showing that the Harappans carried on maritime trade.
The 'Great Bath' of the Indus Valley Civilisation was found at which site?
Answer: (1) Mohenjo-daro
Explanation
The Great Bath is a large brick tank found in the citadel area of Mohenjo-daro.
The Harappan site of Kalibangan in Rajasthan is located on the bank of which river?
Answer: (2) Ghaggar
Explanation
Kalibangan (Hanumangarh district) lies on the left bank of the Ghaggar river, identified with the ancient Saraswati.
Which is the oldest of the four Vedas?
Answer: (4) Rigveda
Explanation
The Rigveda is the oldest Veda; it is a collection of hymns (suktas) divided into ten mandalas.
India's national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from which text?
Answer: (2) Mundaka Upanishad
Explanation
'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.
Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?
Answer: (3) Sarnath
Explanation
Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi, an event called 'Dharmachakra Pravartana'.
Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism?
Answer: (1) Parshvanatha
Explanation
Parshvanatha was the 23rd Tirthankara; Mahavira was the 24th and last, and Rishabhanatha the first.
'Indica', an account of Mauryan India, was written by:
Answer: (4) Megasthenes
Explanation
Megasthenes, the Greek envoy of Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, wrote 'Indica'.
The Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) praising Samudragupta was composed by:
Answer: (2) Harishena
Explanation
Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta, composed the Prayag Prashasti.
Which of Ashoka's edicts describes the Kalinga War and its aftermath?
Answer: (3) Major Rock Edict XIII
Explanation
Major Rock Edict XIII records the Kalinga War, the suffering it caused and Ashoka's remorse.
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir under the patronage of which ruler?
Answer: (1) Kanishka
Explanation
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir under Kushana ruler Kanishka, presided over by Vasumitra.
Nalanda Mahavihara (University) was founded by which Gupta ruler?
Answer: (4) Kumaragupta I
Explanation
Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumaragupta I in the 5th century CE.
Which Harappan site in Gujarat is noted for its elaborate water-management system of reservoirs and its division into three parts?
Answer: (4) Dholavira
Explanation
Dholavira (Kutch, Gujarat) had a citadel, middle town and lower town and a remarkable system of reservoirs.
Consider the following statements about the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation: 1. Iron tools were widely used by the Harappans. 2. The Harappan script has not yet been deciphered. 3. Most Harappan seals were made of steatite. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (2) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Harappans were a Bronze Age people and did not know iron; their script remains undeciphered and most seals were of steatite.
The Gayatri Mantra, addressed to the deity Savitri, is found in which Mandala of the Rigveda?
Answer: (3) Third Mandala
Explanation
The Gayatri Mantra occurs in the Third Mandala of the Rigveda, which is attributed to the sage Vishvamitra.
The 'Battle of Ten Kings' (Dasharajna), described in the Rigveda, was fought on the bank of which river?
Answer: (3) Parushni (Ravi)
Explanation
King Sudas of the Bharata tribe defeated a confederacy of ten kings on the bank of the Parushni (Ravi).
Which of the following pairs (Mahajanapada – capital) is NOT correctly matched?
Answer: (3) Kosala – Rajagriha
Explanation
Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha; Kosala's capital was Shravasti.
The First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha was held under the patronage of:
Answer: (1) Ajatashatru
Explanation
The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha soon after the Buddha's death, under Ajatashatru, presided over by Mahakassapa.
Which Jain monk led the migration of Jains to Karnataka during a famine in Magadha in the reign of Chandragupta Maurya?
Answer: (2) Bhadrabahu
Explanation
Bhadrabahu led a group of Jains to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, while Sthulabhadra stayed back in Magadha.
The 'Triratna' (three jewels) of Jainism are:
Answer: (4) Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct
Explanation
Jainism's Triratna are right faith, right knowledge and right conduct; Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha are the three jewels of Buddhism.