Miscellaneous

Q.1 Match List I with List II: (71st BPSC (Pre) 2025)

List-I                    List-II

Places in Ancient India  Presently in which State

a) Karnasuvarna          1) Maharashtra

b) Pragjyotish             2) Gujarat

c) Girnar                 3) West Bengal

d) Pratishthan             4) Assam

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

   a b c d

(A) 4 3 1 2

(B) 3 4 2 1

(C) 3 2 4 1

(D) 4 2 1 3

Ans. (B)

Exp:

·   Karnasuvarna was an important ancient city in Gauda/Bengal. It was associated with King Shashanka, the ruler of Gauda. It is identified with the area around Murshidabad, West Bengal.

·   Pragjyotisha was the ancient name associated with Kamarupa/Assam. It is mentioned in ancient Indian literature. The region was ruled by the Varman dynasty, including Bhaskaravarman, contemporary of Harsha.

·   Girnar is located near Junagadh, Gujarat. It is famous for the Ashokan Rock Edicts and the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman I. The famous Sudarshana Lake is also associated with the Girnar/Junagadh region.

·   Pratishthana (Paithan) is in present-day Maharashtra, on the Godavari River. It was an important Satavahana capital. It was also an important centre of trade in the Deccan.

Q.2 Match List I with List II: (71st BPSC (Pre) 2025)

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Ans. (A)

Exp:

·  Chola Gangam was a large artificial irrigation tank constructed by Rajendra Chola I. It was associated with his new capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Rajendra I built it to commemorate his northern campaign and victory over the Ganga region.

·  Ashoka appointed Dharma Mahamatras to promote and supervise the principles of Dhamma. Their appointment is mentioned in Major Rock Edict V.

·  Harshavardhana was famous for holding a large religious assembly at Prayag (Allahabad). According to Xuanzang, Harsha held the quinquennial assembly at Prayag, where he distributed wealth and gifts.

·  The Sudarshana Lake was originally constructed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. It was constructed by his governor Pushyagupta, according to the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman I. The lake was later repaired by Rudradaman I and Skandagupta.

Q.3 Consider the following dynasties of Ancient India : (71st BPSC (Pre) 2025)

1. Shunga
2. Maurya
3. Kushana
4. Kanva

Which of the following is the correct chronological order of their rule?

(A) 2-1-4-3 (B) 1-2-3-4 (C) 2-3-1-4 (D) 2-1-3-4

Ans. (A)

Exp:

1. Maurya:

1. c. 322–185 BCE
2. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
3. Important rulers: Chandragupta Maurya → Bindusara → Ashoka.
4. The last Mauryan ruler was Brihadratha.

2. Shunga:

1. c. 185–73 BCE
2. Founded by Pushyamitra Shunga.
3. Pushyamitra, a Mauryan military commander, overthrew the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha.
4. Capital: Pataliputra, with Vidisha also becoming important.

3. Kanva:

1. c. 73–28 BCE
2. Founded by Vasudeva Kanva.
3. The Kanvas succeeded the Shungas in Magadha.

4. Kushana:

1. Mainly 1st–3rd century CE in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Associated with rulers such as Kujula Kadphises, Vima Kadphises and Kanishka.
3. The Kushanas came after the Kanvas in the broad chronological sequence.

Therefore, the correct chronological order is:

Maurya → Shunga → Kanva → Kushana

2 → 1 → 4 → 3

Therefore, option (A) is correct.