Quiz on Themes in Indian History

What significant text was composed during the period following the Harappan civilization?

• Mahabharata

• Rigveda

• Upanishads

• Puranas

Which of the following was a major development in the sixth century BCE?

• Invention of coinage

• Construction of Harappan cities

• Formation of mahajanapadas

• Emergence of the Gupta Empire

What does the term 'mahajanapada' refer to?

• A type of agricultural tool

• A religious text

• A form of government

• A large state or kingdom

Who deciphered the Brahmi script in the 1830s?

• D.C. Sircar

• Alexander Cunningham

• James Prinsep

• Megasthenes

Which of the following was NOT one of the sixteen mahajanapadas?

• Koshala

• Brahmaputra

• Magadha

• Vajji

What was the capital of Magadha during its rise to power?

• Pataliputra

• Rajagaha

• Taxila

• Ujjayini

Which ruler is known for his inscriptions promoting dhamma?

• Ajatasattu

• Bimbisara

• Asoka

• Chandragupta Maurya

What was the primary language of most Asokan inscriptions?

• Sanskrit

• Tamil

• Pali

• Prakrit

Which of the following was a key feature of the Mauryan administration?

• Decentralized governance

• Uniform administrative system

• Absence of standing armies

• Focus on local governance

What was the role of the dhamma mahamatta in the Mauryan Empire?

• Military leaders

• Judicial officers

• Tax collectors

• Spread the message of dhamma