Ancient History 2013 MCQs

• Yuan Chwang does mention some instances of robbery on roads and rivers in his writings. For example, he mentions how traders taking bamboo down the Ganges river would sometimes be attacked by pirates.
• He also mentions instances of robbers on land routes in more isolated areas.
• Therefore, immunity from robbery was not absolute or complete during this time. Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Yuan Chwang provides extensive documentation on the practice of trial by ordeals in courts during his travels.
• Different methods like dipping hands in boiling oil/water, drinking poison, and fire ordeals were prevalent.
• People believed gods would protect the innocent from harm during these trials.
• So statement 2 accurately reflects the judicial practices of that time as per Yuan Chwang.
• Yuan Chwang provides many accounts of taxes and duties levied on tradesmen and merchants.
• There were taxes to cross ferries and barriers along trade routes.
• Local chieftains would also collect taxes from merchants passing through their domains.
• Therefore, statement 3 is validated by Yuan Chwang's detailed documentation on the taxes levied at that time.

Jainism assigns life to even non-living things.

Since the presence of karmic matter in the soul is the cause of the cycle of births and deaths and of all conditions of life, the soul must be freed from the karmic matter. For this the influx or inflow of karmic matter into the soul must be stopped by cultivating pure thoughts and actions, and the stock of existing karmic matter must be consumed by the practice of religious austerities.

They possessed great palaces and temples: This statement is not supported by the archaeological evidence. The people of the Indus Valley Civilization are known for their urban planning, including well-laid-out streets and impressive city structures like the Great Bath, but there is no definitive evidence of large palaces or temples. Their religious structures and practices remain largely a matter of conjecture due to the absence of clear temples or palatial complexes.

They worshipped both male and female deities: This statement seems likely to be correct. Various figurines and seals have been discovered that suggest the worship of female deities, often linked to fertility. Male deities are less evident but some seals suggest their worship as well.

They employed horse-drawn chariots: This statement is incorrect based on the evidence available to date. There is no conclusive evidence that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization used horse-drawn chariots. While some depictions on seals may suggest the presence of horses, these are not definitive, and the widespread use of chariots is more closely associated with later cultures, particularly after the arrival of the Indo-Aryans in the region.

Extinction of the Flame of Desire: The term Nirvana is often likened to the extinguishing of a flame, particularly the flame of desire. This metaphor is used to describe the state of being free from the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion — the three poisons that in Buddhist teachings lead to suffering.

Complete Annihilation of Self: This interpretation is incorrect as Buddhism does not subscribe to the concept of a permanent self to begin with, which is to be annihilated. Nirvana is not about obliterating oneself, as the literal translation might suggest, but rather about overcoming the illusion of a permanent self and the suffering it causes.

A State of Bliss and Rest: While Nirvana is associated with peace and contentment, it is not merely a passive state of bliss or rest. It is the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth, which goes beyond just a temporary state of happiness.

A Mental Stage Beyond All Comprehension: Nirvana is indeed profound and often described as being beyond ordinary human comprehension. However, it is not so much incomprehensible as it is subtle and profound, representing the ultimate awakening or enlightenment.

Chaitya: This is a term used for halls that enclose stupas or the halls where pilgrims pray, essentially a place of worship. A Chaitya is where worship and assembly take place, and it often includes a stupa within the structure at one end.

Vihara: In contrast, a Vihara refers to the constructions built as dwelling places for Buddhist monks. It acts as a monastery and serves as accommodation for the monks, especially during the rainy season when travel was traditionally limited. Viharas are usually carved out of rocks as cave structures and provide living quarters.