Microtheme: AdministrationXGupta —
6 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2021] With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1.Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes, and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
   2.In the Mitakshara system, sons can claim the right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that sons can claim the right to the property.
   3.The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) 1 and 3
   • (d) 3 only
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
2. [2020] Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
   • (a) An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
   • (b) A diary to be maintained for daily accounts
   • (c) A bill of exchange
   • (d) An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
   Correct Answer: (C) A bill of exchange
3. [2020] With reference to the history of India, the terms ”kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
   • (a) measurement of land
   • (b) coins of different monetary value
   • (c) classification of urban land religious rituals
   • (d) religious rituals
   Correct Answer: (A) measurement of land
4. [2019] With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
   • (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
   • (b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
   • (c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
   • (d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
   Correct Answer: (A) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
5. [2016] With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
   • (a) Shramana
   • (b) Parivraajaka
   • (c) Agrahaarika
   • (d) Maagadha
   Correct Answer: (D) Maagadha
6. [2012] With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
   2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
   3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 2 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 3 only