With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts

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2022

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?

(a)

1,2 and 3

(b)

2 and 4 only

(c)

1,3 and 4

(d)

2,3 and 4

Correct Answer

(b)

Explanation

# 1 is wrong: The Nettipakaraa is a legendary Theravada Buddhist scripture. #2 is right: Parishishtaparvan is a Sanskrit mahakavya written by Hemachandra in the 12th century that describes the lives of the first Jain instructors. # 3 is wrong: The Avadanashataka is a Sanskrit collection of one hundred Buddhist stories. #4 is right: Trishashthilkshana or Mahapurana Mahapurana is a famous Jain scripture during the reign of Rashtrakuta monarch Amoghavarsha.

Microtheme: SourcesXLiterature —
14 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

[2024] Consider the following statements:
1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
[2024] Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhāsa?
- (a) Kavyaalankara
- (b) Natyashasta
- (c) Madhyama-vyoga*
- (d) Mahabhashya
Correct Answer: (C) Madhyama-vyoga*
[2023] Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?
- (a) Kings employing women bodyguards
- (b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
- (c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
- (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Correct Answer: (D) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
[2023] With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs :
Literary work Author
1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Correct Answer: (B) Only two
[2022] “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
- (a) Akbar
- (b) Humayun
- (c) Shahjahan
- (d) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: (A) Akbar
[2022] According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?
1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
[2022] Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?
- (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
- (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
- (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
- (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Correct Answer: (B) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
[2022] With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
- (a) 1,2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1,3 and 4
- (d) 2,3 and 4
Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 4 only
[2021] With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
- (a) Jain monks
- (b) playwrights
- (c) temple architects
- (d) philosophers
Correct Answer: (B) playwrights
[2020] With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following
statements:
(1) Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
(2) Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
(3) Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (C) 3 only
[2016] Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of
Sunga dynasty?
- (a) Swapnavasavadatta
- (b) Malavikagnimitra
- (c) Meghadoota
- (d) Ratnavali
Correct Answer: (B) Malavikagnimitra
[2014] The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from?
- (a) Katha Upanishad
- (b) Chandogra Upanishad
- (c) Aitareya Upanishad
- (d) Mundaka Upanishad
Correct Answer: (D) Mundaka Upanishad
[2008] What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutra) relate to?
- (a) Lengths of sides of a right-angled triangle
- (b) Calculation of the value of pi
- (c) Logarithmic calculations
- (d) Normal distribution curve
Correct Answer: (B) Calculation of the value of pi
[2003] ‘Mrichchhakatika,’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka, deals with:
- (a) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
- (b) The victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India
- (c) The military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta
- (d) The love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa
Correct Answer: (A) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan