Post – Mauryan Period

Q.1 Which one of the following Indo-Greek rulers issued lead coins? (U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014)

(a) Strato - II (b) Strato – I (c) Demetrius (d) Menander

Ans. (a)

Exp:

1. Strato II was one of the later Indo-Greek rulers and is particularly associated with the issuance of lead coins. His coins are important numismatic evidence for the later Indo-Greek period.
2.   Strato I was an earlier Indo-Greek ruler. His coinage is primarily known in silver and bronze, rather than being the ruler specifically associated with lead coins in this question.
3.  Demetrius I was an important Indo-Greek ruler and is associated with the expansion of Indo-Greek power into northwestern India. His coins were predominantly silver and bronze.
4.  Menander I (Milinda) was one of the most famous Indo-Greek rulers. He issued a large number of silver and copper coins, often bearing Greek and Kharosthi legends. He is particularly famous in Buddhist tradition through the Milindapanha, which records a dialogue between King Milinda and Nagasena.

Q.2 Both Sankarshana and Vasudeva are depicted on the coins of which of the following rulers? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017)

(a) Havishka (b) Kanishka (c) Samudragupta (d) Agathocles

Ans. (d)

Exp:

1. The Indo-Greek ruler Agathocles (c. 190–180 BCE) issued some of the earliest known coins depicting Indian religious deities, including Vasudeva (Krishna) and Sankarshana (Balarama). 
2. Agathocles, issued bilingual coins bearing Greek and Brahmi legends. Two particularly important coins depict:

·  Vasudeva/Krishna — shown with attributes such as the chakra (discus).

·  Sankarshana/Balarama — shown with plough (hala) and mace (gada).

1. These coins are important evidence for the early worship of the Vasudeva-Krishna tradition in ancient India.
2. Why the other options are wrong:

Q.3 Who renovated Sudarshan lake without using forced labour? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014)

(a) Chandragupta Maurya (b) Bindusar (c) Ashoka (d) Rudradaman-I

Ans. (d)

Exp:

1. The Sudarshan Lake (Sudarshana Lake) was originally constructed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, and its irrigation system was further developed under Ashoka.
2. Later, it was renovated by the Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudradaman I in the 2nd century CE. 
3. The key evidence is the Junagadh (Girnar) inscription of Rudradaman I, which records the repair of the Sudarshana reservoir after it was damaged by a severe storm. 
4. A particularly important point in the inscription is that Rudradaman undertook the repair without imposing taxes or resorting to forced labour.

Q.4 Who among the following introduced gold coins for regular use in India? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015)

(a) Vima Kadphises (b) Kujul Kadphises (c) Kanishka (d) Hermwes

Ans. (a)

Exp:

1. Vima Kadphises (Vima Kadphises II) of the Kushan dynasty is generally credited in standard Indian history texts with introducing gold coins for regular/large-scale use in India. Vima Kadphises ruled in the 1st–2nd century CE and issued substantial quantities of gold dinars, which became an important feature of Kushan coinage. His gold coins commonly show: The king standing and making an offering at an altar, Oesho (generally identified with Shiva) on the reverse, a trident and other Shaivite-associated symbols. This development reflects the growing importance of long-distance trade and monetization during the Kushan period.
2. Kujula Kadphises — He was the founder/early ruler of the Kushan power and mainly issued copper and silver/bronze coinage, modelled partly on Indo-Greek and Roman prototypes. He is not credited with the regular introduction of gold coins.
3. Kanishka — He greatly expanded and diversified Kushan gold coinage, but he came after Vima Kadphises. Therefore, he is not considered the introducer of regular gold coins.
4. Hermwes — Herm(a)eus was an Indo-Greek ruler, associated with the later Indo-Greek period and primarily known for silver and bronze coinage, not the introduction of regular gold coinage in India.

Q.5 Who among the following first issued gold coins on a large scale? (B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018)

(a) Pushyamitra Shunga

(b) Menander

(c) Vima Kadphises

(d) Gautamiputra Satakarni

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (c)

Exp:  

 Vima Kadphises (Vima Kadphises II) of the Kushan dynasty is generally credited in standard Indian history texts with introducing gold coins for regular/large-scale use in India. Vima Kadphises ruled in the 1st–2nd century CE and issued substantial quantities of gold dinars, which became an important feature of Kushan coinage. His gold coins commonly show: The king standing and making an offering at an altar, Oesho (generally identified with Shiva) on the reverse, a trident and other Shaivite-associated symbols. This development reflects the growing importance of long-distance trade and monetization during the Kushan period.

Q.6 What is the date of Sarnath Buddhist image inscription of Kanishka? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014)

(a) 78 A.D. (b) 81 A.D. (c) 98 A.D. (d) 121 A.D.

Ans. (b)

Exp:

 The Sarnath Buddhist image inscription of Kanishka is dated to 81 A.D. It is an important inscriptional record associated with the Kushan ruler Kanishka. The inscription is found on the pedestal/base of a Buddha image from Sarnath. It records the dedication of the image and is dated to year 3 of Kanishka's reign.

Q.7 Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days? (UPSC - 2014)

(a) 22nd March (or 21st March)

(b) 15th May (or 16th May)

(c) 31st March (of 30th March)

(d) 21st April (or 20th April)

Ans. (a)

Exp:

1.    The 1st day of Chaitra in the Indian National Calendar (Saka Calendar) normally corresponds to 22 March in the Gregorian calendar. In a leap year, it falls on 21 March. The Indian National Calendar (Saka Calendar) was adopted by the Government of India in 1957 based on the Saka Era.

 Q.8 Which of the following inscription gives the information about two Ashwamedha Yajnas performed by the king Pushyamitra Shung? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018)

(a) Saranath inscription (b) Besnagar inscription (c) Ayodhya inscription (d) Hathigumpha inscription

Ans. (c)Ayodhya inscription

Exp:

1.  The Ayodhya Inscription was issued by Dhanadeva, a ruler/local chief, which provides information about Pushyamitra Shunga and mentions that Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha (Ashwamedha) Yajnas. It traces his lineage and refers to Pushyamitra, the founder of the Shunga dynasty.
2. Sarnath inscriptions are mainly associated with Buddhist establishments and later rulers, including Kushan-period records. They do not provide the information about Pushyamitra's two Ashvamedhas.
3. The famous Besnagar (Heliodorus) pillar inscription records Heliodorus, an ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas, and his dedication of a Garuda pillar to Vasudeva. It is important for early Vaishnavism, not Pushyamitra's Ashvamedhas.
4.  The Hathigumpha inscription records the achievements of Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga.

Q.9 Which of the following Kings was a Patron of Jainism? (U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014)

(a) Ashoka (b) Harsha (c) Pulakeshin II (d) Kharavela

Ans. (d)

Exp:

1. Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga in the 1st century BCE, is associated with the patronage of Jainism. The main source is his Hathigumpha Inscription at Udayagiri, Odisha. The Hathigumpha inscription describes his activities, including his association with Jain religious traditions.
2. Important points:

·  King: Kharavela

·  Kingdom: Kalinga

·  Dynasty: Chedi/Mahameghavahana tradition

·  Religion patronized: Jainism

·  Major source: Hathigumpha Inscription

·  Location: Udayagiri, Odisha

1. He is also associated with the Kalinga Jina—a Jain image that, according to the inscription, had earlier been taken away from Kalinga and was subsequently brought back.
2.  Ashoka — Mauryan ruler:
3. Ashoka is principally associated with the patronage and propagation of Buddhism after the Kalinga War. His Dhamma was broader than Buddhism, but he is not the standard answer for a king who patronized Jainism.
4.  Harsha — Pushyabhuti/Vardhana ruler:
5. Harsha supported Buddhism, especially in his later years, while also showing tolerance toward Brahmanical traditions. He is not identified primarily as a Jain patron.
6. Pulakeshin II — Chalukya ruler:
7. Pulakeshin II was associated with the Chalukya/Brahmanical tradition. The famous Aihole inscription of his reign records his achievements and is not evidence for Jain patronage of the kind associated with Kharavela.

Q.10 The King of Kalinga Kharavela was related to which of the following dynasty? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015)

(a) Chedi (b) Kadamba (c) Kalinga (d) Haryanka

Ans. (a)

1. Kharavela, the ruler of Kalinga, is generally associated with the Chedi (Cheta) / Mahameghavahana tradition.
2. The principal source of information about Kharavela is the Hathigumpha Inscription, located at Udayagiri in present-day Odisha.
3. The inscription records his lineage, military campaigns, public works and religious activities, and provides important information about the political history of ancient Kalinga.
4. Kharavela is also associated with the patronage of Jainism.

Important points:

1. King: Kharavela
2. Region: Kalinga
3. Dynastic affiliation: Chedi (Cheta) / Mahameghavahana tradition
4. Major source: Hathigumpha Inscription
5. Location of inscription: Udayagiri, Odisha
6. Religious association: Jainism

Hence, Kharavela is traditionally associated with the Chedi dynasty/tradition, making option (a) the correct answer.

Q.11 The inscription of Hathigumpha is the source of information about which king? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018)

(a) Kharvela (b) Ashok (c) Harshavardhan (d) Kanishka

Ans. (a)

Exp: The Hathigumpha Inscription, located at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is the principal source of information about Kharavela, the ruler of ancient Kalinga.

1. The inscription records important events of his reign, including his military campaigns, public works, administrative activities and religious patronage.
2. It also provides valuable information about the political history of Kalinga and Kharavela's interactions with neighbouring powers.
3. Kharavela is generally associated with the Chedi (Cheta) / Mahameghavahana tradition and is known for his patronage of Jainism.

Hence, the correct answer is (a) Kharavela.

Q.12 Kalinga's King Kharvel was associated with: (60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016)

(a) Mahameghvahana dynasty (b) Chedi dynasty (c) Satvahana dynasty (d) Rath-Bhojak dynasty (e) None of the above/ More than one of the above

Ans. (e) More than one of the above

Exp:

1. Kharavela, the ruler of ancient Kalinga, is generally associated with the Mahameghavahana (Mahameghavahana/Cheta) tradition.
2. The Chedi (Cheta) designation is also associated with Kharavela's lineage in historical literature. Therefore, both (a) Mahameghavahana dynasty and (b) Chedi dynasty are applicable.
3. Since more than one of the given statements is correct, the appropriate answer is (e).

Q.13 The rulers of which of the following dynasty have been called as 'Shriparvatiya' in Puranas? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020)

(a) Vakatakas (b) Ikshvakus (c) Shaks (d) Kharvelas

Ans. (b)

Exp:

1.  The Ikshvaku rulers of Andhra are referred to as “Shriparvatiya” in the Puranas. Shriparvata was an important geographical/religious region in the Krishna River valley, associated with the area around Nagarjunakonda (ancient Vijayapuri). The Ikshvakus ruled this region after the decline of the Satavahanas.
2. The Vakatakas were a major Deccan dynasty, particularly associated with Vidarbha. They are not the dynasty referred to as “Shriparvatiya” in the Puranic tradition.
3.   The Shakas were Indo-Scythian rulers, especially associated with western and northwestern India. They are not called Shriparvatiya.
4.   Kharavela belonged to the Mahameghavahana/Chedi tradition of Kalinga and is chiefly known from the Hathigumpha inscription.

Hence, the correct answer is (b) Ikshvakus.