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UPSC CSE PRE ANCIENT HISTORY

Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because:

(a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at that time
(b) they had renounced the policy of war and violence
(c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them
(d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society

Ans: (c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them

Explanation:They embraced Buddhism because caste riddenHinduism did not attract them.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I (Author) List-II (Text)
A. Varahamihira 1. Prabandha Chintamani
B. Vishakhadatta 2. Mrichchha-Katikam
C. Sudraka 3. Brihat-Samhita
D. Bilhana 4. Devi-Chandraguptam
5. Vikramankadeva-Charita

Codes:
(a) A – 3; B – 4; C – 5; D – 2
(b) A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 5
(c) A – 5; B – 3; C – 4; D – 1
(d) A – 1; B – 3; C – 5; D – 2

Ans: (b) A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 5

Explanation:

List-I (Author) List-II (Text)
A. Varahamihira 3. Brihat-Samhita
B. Vishakhadatta 4. Devi-Chandraguptam
C. Sudraka 2. Mrichchha-Katikam
D. Bilhana 5. Vikramankadeva-Charita
Varahamihira also wrote Panchasiddhantika;Vishakhadatta also wrote Mudra Rakshasa.

In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara was also known as:

(a) Vajrapani
(b) Manjusri
(c) Padmapani
(d) Maitreya

Ans: (c) Padmapani

Explanation:Avalokiteśvara is a bodhisattva who embodiesthe compassion of all Buddhas. He is one of the morewidely revered bodhisattvas in mainstreamMahayana Buddhism. In Sanskrit, Avalokitesvara isalso referred to as Padmapāni (“Holder of the Lotus”)or Lokeśvara (“Lord of the World”).

The following map shows four of the sixteen Mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India:

 
The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are:
(a) Matsya, Cedi, Kosala, Anga
(b) Surasena, Avanti, Vatsa, Magadha
(c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga
(d) Surasena, Cedi, Kosala, Magadha

Ans: (c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga

Explanation:Matsya Mahajanapada comprised the present-day Jaipur-Bharatapur-Alwar area of Rajasthan,Avanti was one of the most important ones and itscore area comprises the present-day Ujjain district ofMadhya Pradesh. Vatsa with its capital at Kausambiwas another powerful Mahajanapada, annexed byMagadha. Anga Mahajanapada was in Gangeticvalley.