History Test - 37

Buddha was related to Shakya clan.

Key Points

• Siddhartha, also known as Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born about 2500 or ( 6th or 5th century BCE) years ago.
• The Buddha belonged to a small gana or clan known as the Shakya gana or clan, and was a kshatriya.
• When he was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge.
• He wandered for several years, meeting and holding discussions with other thinkers.
• He finally decided to find his own path to realisation, and meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment.
• After that, he was known as the Buddha or the Wise One.
• He then went to Sarnath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time.

• He spent the rest of his life travelling on foot, going from place to place, teaching people, till he passed away at Kusinara.

Hence, we can conclude that Buddha was related to Shakya clan.

The correct answer is Hastinapur.

Key Points

• Hastinapur was the capital of the Kuru kingdom.
  • It is located in the present-day Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh.
• Hastinapur is located on the right bank of the river Ganga.
• Kuru kingdom arose in the Middle Vedic era as a Vedic Indo-Aryan tribal union in northern Iron Age India, comprising the modern-day states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and some areas of western Uttar Pradesh.
• Pandavas and Kauravas both were a part of the Kuru kingdom.

The correct answer is option 1 i.e Bairat.

• Bairat or ancient Viratnagar, the capital of Matsyadesa, is said to have been founded by king Virat, in whose kingdom the five Pandavas spent the thirteenth year of exile in disguise.
  • Bairat is home to many historically important structures, which belong to Maurya, Mughal and Rajput periods. Of all the excavations done so far, the remains of circular Buddhist temple are the most important ones. This temple is believed to be the earliest structural temple of India.
  • Bairat has connections with Hindu epics as well and is believed to have served as a capital for Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna.
• The place is well-known for two Asokan inscriptions and important ancient Buddhist relics found here.
• Excavations carried out on the different terraces of this hill known as Bijak-ki-Pahari have yielded remains of a Mauryan circular stupa-shrine made of lime-plastered panels of brickwork alternating with twenty-six octagonal pillars of wood, preceded by monastic remains with a double row of cells arranged around an open square courtyard.

Key Points

• The Sutta Pitakas: This is the correct answer because the Sutta Pitakas, one of the three main sections of the Pali Canon in Buddhism, contains the discourses of the Buddha.
• These texts are central to Buddhist teachings, covering a wide range of topics and teachings imparted by the Buddha to his followers.
• The Sutta Pitakas are considered the primary source of the Buddha's teachings and philosophy.
• Sutta Pitakas are the primary source of the Buddha's teachings, containing discourses that cover the core principles and practices of Buddhism. The other options, while important to Buddhist literature and history, do not directly contain the Buddha's teachings in the same way as the Sutta Pitakas.

Key Points

First discovery by a local Raja:

• The sequence of events related to the discovery of Amaravati begins with a local Raja stumbling upon the ruins.
• This accidental discovery was crucial for bringing Amaravati to the attention of historians and archaeologists.

Colin Mackenzie's visit:

• Following the initial discovery, Colin Mackenzie, a British officer and surveyor, visited the site of Amaravati.
• His visit marked the first official recording and documentation of the Amaravati stupa, making it an important milestone in the site's archaeological history.

Walter Elliot's collection:

• Walter Elliot's visit in 1854 and his subsequent collection of several sculpture panels from Amaravati played a significant role in spreading awareness of the site's archaeological and artistic significance.
• His efforts contributed to the preservation and study of Amaravati's artifacts.

Dispersion of the slabs: The slabs and artifacts collected from

• Amaravati were eventually distributed to various locations, including the India Office in Madras.
• This dispersal helped in the further study of the site's historical and cultural context but also scattered the physical evidence of Amaravati's past.

Key Points

Statement (A): Bodhisattas are compassionate beings who help others.

• This statement is correct.
• In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is someone on the path to Buddhahood who postpones their own enlightenment to help all sentient beings achieve liberation (nirvana).
• Their compassion is a central virtue, making this statement true.

Statement (B): Hinayana meant 'great vehicle' and Mahayana meant 'Lesser vehicle'.

• This statement is incorrect.
• In fact, the terms are reversed; 'Mahayana' refers to the 'Great Vehicle' and is one of the main branches of Buddhism that emphasizes the path of a Bodhisattva.
• 'Hinayana' is a pejorative term used by Mahayana practitioners for early Buddhist schools, but it is often associated with what is now called Theravada Buddhism, which could be considered the 'Lesser Vehicle' in this context.
• However, the term 'Hinayana' is not favored due to its derogatory implications.

Statement (C): The Avatars were recognized within the tradition of Vaishnavism.

• This statement is correct.
• In Hinduism, an avatar is a deity who descends to the earthly realm.
• The concept is most notably associated with Vaishnavism, a tradition that worships Vishnu and his avatars, including Rama, Krishna, and others.
• Thus, this statement accurately represents the religious belief within Vaishnavism.

Statement (D): Shiva was symbolized by the ‘Linga’.

• This statement is correct.
• In Hinduism, the Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva and represents his generative power.
• It is a central object of veneration in temples dedicated to Shiva and is emblematic of creation and cosmic energy.

Statement (E): The tall structure in a temple is known as 'Garbhgriha' and a small square room called 'Shikhara'.

• This statement is incorrect.
• In Hindu temple architecture, the 'Garbhgriha' or 'sanctum sanctorum' is the innermost chamber of a temple where the deity (murti) is housed.
• It is not a tall structure but rather the core part of the temple.
• The 'Shikhara' is the towering structure above the Garbhgriha and is often elaborately decorated, serving as a marker for the divine presence.

Hence, the correct statements are (A), (C), and (D)

The correct option is 'A - IV, B - I, C - II, D - III'.

Key Points

• Rajendra Lal Mitra (1878) is associated with Buddha Gaya: The Heritage of Sakya Muni.
  • Rajendra Lal Mitra was an Indian scholar who made significant contributions to Indology.
  • His work on Buddha Gaya played a pivotal role in documenting the heritage of one of Buddhism's holiest sites.
• A. Cunningham (1854) is known for his work on Bhilsa Topes.
  • Alexander Cunningham was a British archaeologist and army engineer known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India.
  • His exploration and documentation of the Bhilsa Topes contributed greatly to the understanding of early Buddhist architecture and monastic traditions.
• J. Marshal & A.Foucher (1914) are recognized for their contributions to The monuments of Sanchi.
  • John Marshall was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, and Alfred Foucher was a French scholar.
  • Together, they worked on documenting and studying the monuments of Sanchi, one of the most significant Buddhist complexes.
• J. Marshal (1923) is associated with the Conservation Manual.
  • As the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, John Marshall was instrumental in establishing conservation principles in India.
  • The Conservation Manual laid down the guidelines for the preservation of historical monuments and archaeological sites in India.

Therefore, the correct pairing is:
A - IV: Rajendra Lal Mitra (1878) - Buddha Gaya: The Heritage of Sakya Muni
B - I: A. Cunningham (1854) - Bhilsa Topes
C - II: J. Marshal & A.Foucher (1914) - The monuments of Sanchi
D - III: J. Marshal (1923) - Conservation Manual

Key Points

• Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan explorer, is the correct answer because he is known for his extensive travels across the Afro-Eurasian landmass, including the territory of the Delhi Sultanate during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• He was a Moroccan Berber scholar and explorer who traveled more than 120,000 kilometers (75,000 miles) in the medieval period, which makes him one of the most traveled individuals of his time.
• His journey to India occurred in the 14th century, where he served as a Qadi or Islamic judge at the court of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• His purchasing of "horses, camels, and slaves" as gifts for the Sultan aligns with the practices of the time to gain favor and show allegiance.

Mohenjodaro and Harappa are the most prominent cities of the Harappan civilization, known for their advanced urban planning, including streets, drainage, and granaries.

The Harappans are renowned for their meticulous urban planning, with streets arranged in a grid pattern and an efficient drainage system, reflecting their engineering skills.