Kings, Farmers and Towns Test - 1

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian Sanskrit treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Kautilya, also identified as Vishnugupta and Chanakya, is credited as the author of the Arthashastra.

Devanampiya - This title means "Beloved of the Gods." Ashoka believed that he was chosen by the gods to rule and spread the message of Buddhism. He used this title in his inscriptions to show his religious devotion.

Piyadassi - This title means "He who is pleasing to the gods." Ashoka used this title to show his humility and to emphasize his devotion to Buddhism.

According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit dating back to around the second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir, was repaired by the Saka king Rudradaman. Rudradaman was a prominent ruler of the Western Kshatrapas dynasty, which ruled parts of western and central India during the early centuries of the Common Era. His reign is particularly well-documented through inscriptions found in various regions, showcasing his achievements and contributions, including the repair of Sudarshan Lake.

Megaliths were elaborate stone structures constructed in central and south India during the first millennium BCE. These structures, including dolmens, cairns, and menhirs, served various purposes such as burials, memorials, and ritualistic activities. They are significant archaeological remnants that provide insights into the cultural and religious practices of ancient societies in the region.

Prayaga prashasti was composed by Harisena in sanskrit, the court poet of Samudragupta. This prashasti tell us about the conquests of Samudragupta.

Archaeologists often face several challenges when deciphering ancient inscriptions:

• Damaged letters: Over time, inscriptions may become damaged due to weathering, erosion, or deliberate destruction, making it difficult to discern the original text.
• Faint letters: Inscriptions may also suffer from fading or erosion, leading to faint or unclear letters that are hard to read.
• Exact meaning of the words used in inscriptions: Even if the letters are clear, the exact meaning of the words used in inscriptions can be challenging to determine, especially if the language or script is not well understood or if there are multiple possible interpretations.

Harishena was court poet of Gupta king Samudragupta. He composed a prashastis in praise of Samudragupta. This is the famous Allahabad Prashasti which describes Samudragupta as a great warrior.

The term "Gahapati" refers to the owner, master, or head of a household in ancient Indian society. They were responsible for managing the resources of the household, including land, animals, and other possessions. They were not typically officials of the king; instead, they were members of the urban elite, which included wealthy merchants and landowners. Therefore, statement (C) is incorrect because it suggests that Gahapatis were officials of the king, which is not accurate according to historical understanding.

Coins and inscriptions are crucial archaeological sources in the reconstruction of ancient Indian history.

• Coins provide valuable evidence about ancient economies, trade networks, and political authority. They offer insights into the rulers who issued them, their titles, symbols, and the regions under their control. 
• Inscriptions, on the other hand, contain written records engraved on various surfaces such as stone pillars, rock faces, and metal plates. They provide information about royal decrees, administrative policies, religious endowments, and historical events.

Megasthenes, an ancient Greek historian, mentions a committee with six subcommittees in his accounts of ancient India. Among these subcommittees, the fifth one was responsible for overseeing chariots. Chariots were crucial components of ancient warfare, and their maintenance and deployment were significant aspects of military strategy during that time.