Microtheme: Historical Terms —
6 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?
   1. Vitasta : Chenab
   2. Asikni : Jhelum
   3. Parushni : Ravi
   4. Yavyavati : Beas
   • (a) 1 and 2
   • (b) 3 and 4
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 4 only
   Correct Answer: (C) 3 only
2. [2025] Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?
   • (a) Mahendravarman I
   • (b) Simhavishnu
   • (c) Narasimhavarman I
   • (d) Simhavarman
   Correct Answer: (A) Mahendravarman I
3. [2025] The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was
   • (a) A water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
   • (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
   • (c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
   • (d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
   Correct Answer: (B) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
4. [2021] With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
   • (a) dance forms of Northwest – India
   • (b) musical instruments
   • (c) pre-historic cave paintings
   • (d) tribal languages
   Correct Answer: (D) tribal languages
5. [2016] Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
   • (a) agriculturists
   • (b) warriors
   • (c) weavers
   • (d) traders
   Correct Answer: (D) traders
6. [2016] In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
   Term Description
   1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
   2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
   3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples
   Which of the pairs given above correctly matched?
   • (a) 1 and 2
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 2 and 3
   • (d) 1 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1 and 3