Vedic & Mahajanapadas — Set 2
Indian History · वैदिक और महाजनपद · Questions 11–20 of 60
The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate', is taken from which Upanishad?
Correct Answer: D. Mundaka Upanishad
• **Satyameva Jayate** = 'Truth alone triumphs' — taken from **Mundaka Upanishad** (3.1.6). • Adopted on **26 Jan 1950** as national motto; inscribed below the **Lion Capital of Ashoka** on the emblem. • Mundaka Upanishad belongs to **Atharvaveda** tradition. • 💡 Chandogya = 'Tat Tvam Asi'; Brihadaranyaka = 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya'; Katha = Nachiketa story — none contain Satyameva Jayate.
The use of iron in agriculture and warfare became prominent during which period?
Correct Answer: D. Later Vedic Period
• **Iron** = became prominent in **Later Vedic Period** (~1000 BC); called **'Shyama Ayas'** in texts. • Iron axes and ploughs enabled clearing of dense **Gangetic forests** for agriculture expansion. • The shift east (from Punjab to Ganga plains) happened due to iron — key. • 💡 Early Vedic = copper/bronze (Ayas) only; Harappan = pre-iron; Mauryan = iron already established — iron is NOT Early Vedic or Harappan.
What was the term used for a voluntary contribution or tax paid by people to the king in the Vedic period?
Correct Answer: A. Bali
• **Bali** = voluntary tribute/offering to king in early Vedic times; later became compulsory tax. • **Bhaga** = king's share of produce (1/6th); **Shulka** = toll/customs duty — distinct tax types. • In Later Vedic period, a permanent tax officer called **'Bhagadugha'** collected Bali. • 💡 Bhaga = share of crop (not voluntary offering); Kara = general tax; Shulka = toll — none were the original voluntary royal tribute.
What is the literal meaning of the word 'Arya' in the context of Vedic history?
Correct Answer: D. Noble or High Born
• **Arya** = literally 'noble' or 'high-born'; a cultural/linguistic identity, NOT a racial category. • Used in Rigveda to contrast Vedic settlers with **Dasas/Dasyus** (indigenous peoples). • Max Muller proposed Central Asia origin; modern scholars debate the **Aryan Migration Theory**. • 💡 Priest = Brahmin (not Arya); Warrior = Kshatriya; Nomad = unrelated; Arya specifically means noble/high-born.
Taxila was the capital of which ancient Mahajanapada?
Correct Answer: D. Gandhara
• **Taxila (Takshashila)** = capital of **Gandhara** Mahajanapada; located in NW India (modern Pakistan). • World's first university city — **Chanakya** taught here; students came from all over Asia. • Gandhara was on the **Uttarapatha** (northern trade route); controlled key access to Central Asia. • 💡 Kuru capital = Hastinapura/Indraprastha; Kosala capital = Shravasti; Avanti capital = Ujjain — not Taxila.
Who was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha?
Correct Answer: D. Bimbisara
• **Bimbisara** = founder of **Haryanka dynasty**; first powerful king of Magadha (~544–492 BC). • Contemporary of both **Gautama Buddha** and **Mahavira**; patronized both religions. • Married Kosala princess (Kosaladevi), Lichchhavi princess, and Madra princess — matrimonial diplomacy. • 💡 Mahapadma Nanda = founder of Nanda dynasty; Udayin = Bimbisara's grandson; Ajatshatru = Bimbisara's son (killed him) — none founded Haryanka.
Which king patronized the Second Buddhist Council held at Vaishali?
Correct Answer: B. Kalashoka
• **Kalashoka** (Shishunaga dynasty) = patron of **2nd Buddhist Council** at **Vaishali** (~383 BC). • Held ~**100 years** after Buddha's death; dispute was over **10 controversial Vinaya rules** of monks. • Led to first **schism** in Buddhism — Sthaviravada vs Mahasanghika sects. • 💡 Ajatshatru = patron of 1st Council (Rajgriha); Ashoka = 3rd Council (Pataliputra); Kanishka = 4th Council (Kashmir) — not 2nd.
Who was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty?
Correct Answer: A. Dhana Nanda
• **Dhana Nanda** = last ruler of Nanda dynasty; overthrown by **Chandragupta Maurya** with help of **Chanakya**. • Had the largest army of his era (~200,000 infantry) — which made Alexander's troops refuse to advance. • His treasury was legendary; 'Dhana' literally means wealth — he was famously hoarding. • 💡 Mahapadma Nanda = founder (first ruler) of Nanda; Kaivarta and Panduka are not prominent Nanda rulers — Dhana Nanda is the last.
Which of the following Mahajanapadas was a republic (Gana-Sangha) rather than a monarchy?
Correct Answer: D. Vajji
• **Vajji** = most powerful **Gana-Sangha** (republic); capital **Vaishali** — world's earliest known republic. • Confederacy of **8 clans**; most powerful were **Lichchhavis**; decisions made by a 7,707-member assembly. • Vaishali is also birthplace of **Mahavira** (Jainism) and site of **2nd Buddhist Council**. • 💡 Avanti, Kosala, Magadha = monarchies with single kings — not republics; only Vajji was a Gana-Sangha among options.
In the Vedic period, the cow was referred to as 'Aghanya', which means:
Correct Answer: B. Not to be killed
• **Aghanya** = 'not to be killed/slaughtered' — term used for cow in Rigveda showing its protected status. • Cow was the primary unit of **wealth** in early Vedic society; wars were fought over cattle (**Gavisti**). • The word **'Gotra'** literally means 'cow pen' — showing cow's central role in Vedic life. • 💡 'Sacred animal' is vague; 'Carrier of gods' = wrong (that's Nandi/vehicles); 'Source of wealth' is partially true but not the literal meaning — Aghanya literally means 'not to be killed'.