Ancient History: General knowledge Practice Question for UPSC

Question 1:

The following persons came to India at one time or another

(1) Fa - Hien

(2) I - Tsing

(3) Megasthenese

(4) Hieun - Tsang

The correct chronological order of their visits is:

A. 3,1,2,4
B. 3,2,1,4
C. 1,3,2,4
D. 1,3,4,2

Answer: The correct answer for this question is option (A) 3. Megasthenese, 1. Fa - Hien, 2. I - Tsing, 4. Hieun - Tsang

Explanation: Megasthenese visited during Mauryan period (4th Century B.C), Fa-Hian visited during Gupta period (5th century A.D), I-Tsing visited during the reign of Harshavardhan (th Century A.D) and Hieun -Tsang visited during Post Gupta period (7th Century A.D)

Question 2: 
Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander's invasion?

A. Nanda dynasty

B. Maurya dynasty

C. Sunga dynasty

D. Kanva dynasty

Answer: The correct answer for this question is option (A) Nanda dynasty

Explanation: Nanda dynasty's ruler Dhananada who was the ruler of Magadha, controlled nearly whole of North India at the time of Alexander's invasion. Maurya Dynasty dethroned Nanda dynasty in 322 BC

Hanuman STUDIES

Few important points:

Fa- Hien:

Fa - Hien was a Chinese Buddhist monk and translator who traveled from China to India by foot Buddhist texts, he came to India during the reign of Chandragupta II. 

I - Tsing:

I - Tsing was a 7th century Buddhist pilgrims who visited in India. He visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana. He wrote various biographies on the monks of India.

Megasthenese:

Megasthenese was an ancient Greek historian. He was also a Greek ambassador of Selecus I Nicator who was sent in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.

Hieun - Tsang:

Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhsit monk who travlled over land from China to India during the reign of King Harsha Vardhan to obtain Buddhist scriptures.

Nanda Dynasty

Mahapadma established a new line of kings known as Nandas after dethroning Shunga Empire. The Puranas call Mahapadma Ekrat i.e. the sole monarch. Mahapadma was succeeded by his eight sons. Dhanananda was the last ruler of Nanda Dynasty.

Maurya Dynasty

The Puranas describe the Mauryan as the Shudras. Chandragupta Maurya (322 BC - 29 BC) dethroned the last Nanda ruler Dhananand and occupied Patliputra in 322 BC with the help of Kautilya. Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara who was later succeeded by his son Akbar.

Sunga Dynasty

Sunga Dynasty was established by Pushymitra Sunga, a Brahmin Commander-in-Chief of last Mauryan ruler named Brihadratha in 185 BC. Pushyamitra was succeeded by his son Agnimitra, the hero of Kalidasa's drama 'Malvikagnimitra'

Kanva Dynasty

The Kanva Dynasty was founded in 73 B.C by Vasudeva. Vasudeva was the minister of of the last Sunga ruler Devabhuti by murdering him. The period of Kanva rule came to an end in 28 B.C.

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