Module - 2

Indian History through ages

Ancient India

I. Essay Questions (5 Marks)

1. Mention the constructions of Harappan culture.

A.1. The Harappans built the earliest cities complete with town planning, sanitation, drainage system
and broad well-laid roads.
2. They built double storied houses of burnt - bricks which had a bathroom, kitchen and wells.
3. The walled cities has other important buildings such as the great bath, grannaries and assembly
halls.
4. The forts are important construction in northern Regions.

2. Discuss Harappans contribution in the field of development of urban culture.

A.1. The Harappan culture is the first known urban culture.

2. The Harappans builts the earliest cities complete with town planning, sanitation, drainage
system and broad well-laid roads.

3. They built double storied houses which had a bathroom, a kitchen and walls.

O Assembly halls were another grate and important buildings. Thus harappan culture is first
known urban culture.

3. Write about Aryan (vedic) literature.

1. Aryans composed many hymns in the honour of gods and Goddesses they worshiped.

2. These were complied in the form of four vedas.

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 3. They are Rig veda, sama veda, yajur veda and Atharva veda.

4. Later vedic literature also included the Brahmanas (commentaries), Aranyakas and upanishads.

5. Ramayana and Mahabharata are two great epics.

4. How was the administrative system of Aryans ?

1. Aryan society was partiarchal. The family was the smallest social unit, several families (kula)
made a village (grama).

2. Several villages formed as a 'vis'.

3. It was ruled by 'Rajan'

4. Rajan was assisted by the members of two councils called 'sabha' and 'samiti'.

5. Purohita performed religious function.

6. Senani looked after the military activities.

7. There was no concept of the state or kingdom.

5. What in the importance of chaturdharma in vedic period ?

1. In the later vedic period the society was devided into four varnas - Brahmanas, Kshastriyas,
Vaishyas and Shudras.
2. Brahmins occupied dominent position.
3. Another important social institution was the system of chaturdhrma or division of life span into
four distinct stages i.e. brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sanyasa.
4. These stages were not applicable to woman and to the people of lower varnas.
5. The ultimate aim of life was to attain moksha or salvation through dharma, artha and kama.
6. Karma or performance of duty without any expectation or return was preached in Bhagavad
Gita.

6. What is Chaturdhrama ? What is the importance of this.

A.1. One of the important social institution in charurdhrama.

2. The life span of man was divided into four stages.
3. They are : 1. Brahma charya 2. grihastha 3. vanaprastha 4. Sanyasa.
4. Brahma Charya - (Period of celibacy, education and disciplined life in guru ashram).

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 5. Grihastha ashram - (A period of domestic family life)
6. Vanaprastha (a stage of gradual detachment)
7. Sanyasa (life dedicated to spiritual pursuit away from worldly life).
8. These stages were not applicable to women and to the people of lower classes.

7. Describe the life of Aryans.

1. The Aryans were primarily pastoral and agricultural people.
They domesticated animals like cows, horses, sheep, goats and dogs.
2. They ate simple food. They drank a beverage called 'soma'.
3. Games of chess, chariot racing etc were their modes of entertainments.
4. In the early days there was no money transactions or taxes. Bali or voluntary donations was
prevalent.
5. Cows were the measure of wealth.
6. Iron tools resulted varies crafts and technology and Agriculture.
7. Coins came in circulation. Trade was carried on towns \, cities and territorial states emerged.

8. Analyse the reasons for the emergence of Buddism and Jainism.

1. Vedic religion is also known as Brahmanism as priestly class of the Brahmins played a major
role in ritualism and yajnas. They wanted large charities.
2. Brahmins consider themsleves superior to others and became arrogant.
3. The un popularity of Brahminism, Kshatriyas reacted and revolted against Brahmins and claim
supremacy.
4. The revolt, led by kshatriyas and aided by vaisyas and poorer masses who could not afford
the high cost of yajnas.
5. Due to above reasons Jainism and Buddism were emerged in 6th century B.C.

9. What are important principles in 'Ashtangika marga or (Eight fold path) How is it
applicable in day to day life ?
The Eight fold path of Budda comprises :
1. Right understanding
2. Right thought

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 3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration
Above all priniciple emphasised a good normal life and the importance of ethics. If they are
followed by each individual, he can be developed and the society also will be developed.

10. What is the influence of Alexander's invasion on Indian culture ?

1. On the eve of Alexander's invasion, north western India was devided into a number of small
pricipalities after his invention he placed them under Greek governers.
2. Alexander's invation brought Europe, for the first time, inclose contact with India.
3. As routes, by sea and by land, were opened a close commercial relations were established.
The traders and crafts men used to follow these routes.
4. Alexander's invasion paved the way for political unification of North western India.
5. The combination of the Greek and the Indian style formed the Gandhara school of Art.
6. Indians learnt the art making well shapped and beautifully designal gold and siliver coin's from
Greeks.
7. Alexander's invasion helped the west to know something about the Indian life and thinking.
8. The ideas and notions of Indian philosophy and Indian religion filtered into Roman empire.

11. "Asoka occupies a unique place in the history of India" support it.
1. Asoka occupies a unique place in the history of India.
2. His policies of universal peace, non - violence and religious harmony find no parallel in the
monarchs of world.
3. Asoka stands out as a monarch who combined successful kingship with idealism and
philosophy.
4. The mindless distruction of life and property shattered Asoka so greatly that he vowed never
to wage any war again. Intead he adopted the policy of Dharma vijaya that is conquest of
dharma.

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 5. Asoka states that the true conquest is conquest by piety and virtue.

Such a decision taken by the king, earned him a unique place in history.

6. Ashoka proved to be a tolerant monarch who, although him self a Buddist.

7. By giving his empire, a common Dharma, a common language and practically one script
(Brahmi), he brought further political unification.

8. Ashoka's fame also rests on the measures that he took to spread the message of peace
amongst the different regions of the world.

12. What are the contribution of Mauryans to art and architecture ?

1. The Mauryan contribution to art and architecture was significant.

2. Ashoka is known to have built 84,000 stupas to commemorate various events of Budda's life.

3. Ashokan edicts were incribed on stone pillars that were made of a single column of polished
sand stone.

4. The best preserved of all Ashokan edicts stands Lausia Nanda garh (Bihar). This 32 feet tall
column has an almost fifty ton seated lion capital placed as its top, an engineering feat worth
admiring.

5. The most famous capital is one at saranath, which shows four lions and Dharma Chakra. This
has been adopted as the emblem of our modern Republic.

6. It will be amazed to know that despite all these centuries the surface gloss (Now called
Mauryan glass) has not lost its shine.

7. Another note worthy aspect of Mauryan architecture is the rock cut caves.

II. Short Questions (3 Marks)

1. In which regions the Harappan civilization was flourished in Ancient India ?

A. 1. Evidence of neolithic habitation dating as far as 7000 BC has been found in Mehrgarh in
Baluchistan.

2. It was flourished in the north western part of the Indian sub continent.

3. Most of the sites of Harappan culture developed on the banks of Indus, Ghaggar and its
tributaries.

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 2. Mention the religious beliefs of Harappans ?
A. 1. Numerous seals carrying the images of the one - harmed rhinocerous, known as unicorn
throw light on the religions beliefs of Harappans.
2. They worshiped plants and animals. They worshiped mother goddess.
3. They believed in the life after death and also charms and spells.

3. Write about the relious beliefs during vedic period.

A. 1. The early vedic people worshiped forces of nature and personified them as gods and goddesses.
2. Indra, Agni, Varuna, Marut were some of their gods
3. Yajna (sacrifice) was performed along with chanting of vedic hymns.
4. People pored ghee and other in gredients into the fire to invoke the blessings of god.
5. Vedic people prayed individually as well as collectively for the welfare of the Jana.

4. What are the five vows of Jainism ?

A. Five vows are
1. Not to tell lies
2. Not to injure life
3. Not to own property
4. Not to steal.
5. To remain chaste (celibacy).

5. What is the meaning of Mahajana padas ? Name the important among them.
A. 1. By 6th century B.C, there were some 16 large territorial states in north India and upper
Daccan known as Mahajana padas.
Important among them were Anga, Maghadha, Kusala, Kashi, Kuru and Panchala.

6. What is the influence (impact) of Persian culture on Indian culture ?

A. 1. The Persian scribes brought a new style of writing in India. It is called Kharoshthi. The
Persian influence may also be traced in the preamble of Ashokan edicts.
2. The Persian influence may also be traced in the preamble of Ashokan edicts.
3. The monolithic pillar edicts of Asoka with their bell-shaped capitals are some what like the
victory pillars of the Achaemenid emperors which have been found in persepolis.

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 4. The Persian influence found in Chandragupta Maurya's court was in the form of the Cerimonial
hairbath taken by the emperor on his birthday. It was the typical Persian style.

III. Very short Question 1Mark.

1. Which is the first urban culture in India ?

2. What was the main occupation of the Harappans ?

3. Where did Aryans settled at first?

4. What are chaturvedas ? Who compiled them ?

5. Name the two councils which assisted the chief called rajan in the vedic society ?

6. In to how many stages the society was devided in the later vedic period ?

7. Name any two gods and goddesses the vedic people worshipped ?

8. What are the modes of entertainment of Aryans ?

9. How many religions emerged in Ancient India ?

10. What the monasteries under Buddism and Jainism were called ?

11. What were the two sects of Jains called ?

12. What were the two sects of Buddism called ?

13. Who were the first foreign rulers to invede India ?

14. What is the name of the new style of writing that developed in India because of the Persian
influence ?

15. Name two Greek writers who left valuable accounts of the social and economic life of the Indians
of that time ?

16. What are the ideals of King Ashoka ?

17. What did Asoka state in his 13 th Rock Edict ?

18. What in Greeco - Roman style ?

19. Give one example for the Gupta Art ?

20. Which age does the vishnusmrithi belong to ?

21. Which god was most popular during Gupta period ?

22. Which sect of Hinduism was provided protection by the Gupta rulers ?

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23. Who is said to have invited a thousand learned monks of Nalanda to take part in the philosophi-
cal assembly at Kanauj ?
24. Who has given a detailed account of Nalanda ?
25. Who brought christianity to India ?
26. At which place is the tomb of St. Thomas located ?
27. In to how many divisions the Christian church was devided.

IV. Fill in the blanks (1 mark)

1. The ultimate aim of life is to attain ..........
2. Vedic religion is also called .............
3. Alexander belongs to.......... country.
4. The script during Ashoka's period was ..........
5. Ashoka adopted the policy of after kalinga war ..........
6. The best example for Gupta Art is .......... in Deogarh.
7. .......... Temple in a huge structure with thousand of effigies and is said to be the "largest single
work of art every under taken in India .
8. The 'Rathas' at Mahabalipuram were built by the ..........
9. The style of temples in north India is ..........
10. The style of temples in south India is ..........
11. .......... developed the democratic institutions at village level.
12. The Holy book of Christian is ...............
13. .......... has contributed a great deal for the welfare of the poor and homeless in our country.

V. Match the following.

1. Dedargenz ( ) a. Yakshi (silpam)
2. Mohenjodaro ( ) b. Slokas
3. The trade relations of ( ) c. Dancing girl
Harappans
4. Hymns ( ) d. Mesopotamian civilization
5. High quality earthern ware ( ) e. Painted Grey ware.

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2.
1. Herodotus ( ) a. Fourth Buddist council
2. Kaniska ( ) b. Ellora caves
3. Gupta rulers ( ) c. Besnagar Pillers
4. Brihadeswara Temple ( ) d. Urar
5. Sabha ( ) e. cholas

VI. Multiple Choice

1. The period of Harappan culture ( )

a) 7000 B.C. - 1800 B.C. b) 7500 B.C-1000 B.C.
c) 6500 B.C. - 650 B.C d) 8000 B.C.-1200 B.C.
2. The founder of Jainism ( )
a) Rishabhadeva b) Siddartha
c) Gautama d) Vardhamana Mahaveera
3. The followers of Digambara sect ( )
a) Trading community b) Kshatriyas c) Sudras d) Brahamanas
4. The period of emergence of Jainism and Buddism ( )
a) 4th centrury B.C b) 6th century B.C.
c) 7th century B.C d) 5th century B.C
5. The period of Buddism ( )
a) 563 B.C-483 B.C b) 653 B.C-438 B.C
c) 483 B.C-380 B.C d) None of the above
6. The student of Alexander ( )
a) Darius b) syrus c) selevcus d) Nearchus
7. Alexander's Invasion took place ( )
a) 326 B.C b) 236 B.C c) 336 B.C d) 346 B.C
8. Nalanda became a great centre of learning during his period ( )
a) vishnu gupta b) Harsha vardhana
c) Kanishkha d) Asoka

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 9. The set of bas reliefs found in ................. ( )
a) Mahabalipuram b) Mylapore c) Ellora d) Bhagalpur

10. The pagodas built at Mahabalipuram in .......... ( )

a) 1st century B.C b) 3rd century B.C
c) 2nd century B.C d) 2nd century B.C

Answers

III. 1. The first urban culture in India is Harappan culture.

2. Agriculture in the main occupation of Harappan people

3. Aryans first settled on the Banks of

1. River Indus

2. River Saraswati

4. The Rig veda, samaveda, yajurveda and Atharva vedas are four vedas. They were complled by
Aryans.

5. The king in vedicperiod was assisted by Two councils.

1. Sabha 2. Samithi

6. In the later vedic period the life span was devided into 1. Brahma charya 2. grihastra 3. vanaprastha
4. Sanyasa.

7. 1. Indra 2. Agni 3. Aditi 4. Prithvi

8. Chess and chariot racing.

9. In ancient India 3 religions were emerged 1. Hinduism 2. Buddism 3. Jainism

10. The monasteries of Buddism and Jainism are called as viharas and sthanakas.

13. Persians were the first foreign rulers to invada India.

14. The script was brought Persians is khoroshthi.

15. Hsuan - Tsang has given a delailed account of social and economic condition of Indians.

16. The policies of Ashoka: 1. Dharma (piety) 2. Virtue.

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17. In his 13th Rock edict Ashok states that true conquest is conquest by piety and virtue.

18. The Greek invations introduced many new forms in Indian art. This is called Graeco - Roman
style.

19. The best example of the Gupta art is dasavatara a temple at Deogarh.

20. A law book called 'vishnusmriti' belongs to Gupta period.

21. Vishnu was most popular god during gupta period.

22. Brahmins of Hindustan was provided protection by the Gupta rulers.

23. Harsha is said to have invited a thousand learned monks of Nalanda to take part in the philo-
sophical Assembly at kanouj.

24. Hsuan - Tsang has given a delaited account of Nalanda.

25. St. Thomas brought christianity to India.

26. The tomb of St. Thomas is located in Mylapore (Near Madras)

27. The Christian church has two major divisions.

1. Roman Catholic Church
2. Protestant Church

IV. 1. Moksha 2. Brahmanism

3. Macedonia 4. Brahmi script

5.Universal peace 6. Dasavatare

7. Kailase natha temple 8. Pallavas

9. shikhar style 10. Gopuram style

11. Cholas 12. Bible

13. Mother Theresa.

V. I. 1. A 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. E

II. 1. C 2. A 3. B 4. E 5. D

VI. 1. A 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. A 6. C 7.A 8.B 9.A 10.A

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