Ancient History 2016 MCQs

The love story of the son of the founder of the Sunga Dynasty is found in the book "Malavikagnimitra" written by Kalidasa. This play is centered around the love story of King Agnimitra, who was the son of Pushyamitra Sunga, the founder of the Sunga Dynasty, and the beautiful handmaiden Malavika.

1. Bodhgaya: It is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment. Bodhgaya is not in Baghelkhand, which is a region in central India, primarily located in Madhya Pradesh and a small part of Uttar Pradesh.
2. Khajuraho: Khajuraho is known for its ancient temples and is located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is indeed a part of the Bundelkhand region.
3. Shirdi: Shirdi is famous for being the home of the spiritual leader Sai Baba. It is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is not in Vidarbha, but rather in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
4. Nasik (Nashik): Nashik is an ancient holy city in Maharashtra, known for its links to the "Ramayana" epic. It is not in the Malwa region, which is primarily in the western part of Madhya Pradesh. Nashik is in the Khandesh and Northern Maharashtra region.
5. Tirupati: Tirupati is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, known for the sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. It is indeed located in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

• Maagadhas were traditionally known as bards or panegyrists in ancient India. They specialized in reciting and memorizing historical records, royal lineages, and epic stories. Their role was significant in preserving and transmitting historical and cultural narratives through oral traditions, especially in the royal courts and among the people.
• Shramana refers to an individual who practices asceticism and is part of non-Vedic religious movements, such as Jainism and Buddhism.
• Parivraajaka denotes a wandering monk or ascetic in Indian religions.
• Agrahaarika is not a well-known term in the context of Indian cultural history and does not specifically relate to the profession of memorizing chronicles or histories.

• The Ajanta Caves were primarily created in two phases: the first phase around the 2nd century BCE and the second phase from about 400 to 650 CE. Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, dates back to the 7th and 8th centuries under the Pallava dynasty. Thus, they were not built in the same period.
• The Ajanta Caves are predominantly Buddhist in nature, featuring Buddhist monasteries and worship halls with various sculptures and paintings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Mahabalipuram, on the other hand, is primarily associated with Hinduism, with temples and sculptures depicting Hindu deities and mythologies.
• The Ajanta Caves are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments that contain paintings and sculptures. Similarly, Mahabalipuram is known for its rock-cut and monolithic temples and sculptures, including the famous Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas.

The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism: This statement is incorrect. The concept of the Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Buddhism, not Hinayana (also known as Theravada Buddhism). Theravada focuses on the individual's path to enlightenment primarily through self-effort and regards the historical Buddha as the ultimate teacher. It does not emphasize the Bodhisattva ideal as Mahayana does.

Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment: This statement is correct. In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is indeed seen as an individual on the path to Buddhahood who embodies compassion, seeking enlightenment both for themselves and for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it: This statement is also correct. In Mahayana Buddhist doctrine, the Bodhisattva makes a vow to postpone full Buddhahood until all beings are saved from suffering and samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. The Bodhisattva's path is thus characterized by a selfless dedication to helping others achieve enlightenment.