Ancience India Chapter 15 - Central Asian Contacts and Their Results

Ancience India Chapter 15 - Central Asian Contacts and Their Results ancient-india , history , ncert,

Chapter 15: Central Asian Contacts and Their Results

Study Notes

Question / Pointer	Answer / Explanation
The period of extensive Central Asian contacts with India began around _____?	200 B.C.
What was notable about the period beginning around 200 B.C.?	Intimate and widespread Central Asian–Indian contacts
Did this period witness an empire as large as the Mauryan Empire?	No
Which native dynasties succeeded the Mauryas in eastern India, central India and the Deccan?	Sungas, Kanvas and Satavahanas
Who succeeded the Mauryas in north-western India?	Central Asian ruling dynasties
When did the series of Central Asian invasions begin?	Around 200 B.C.
Who were the first invaders to cross the Hindukush into India?	Greeks
Which region did the invading Greeks originally rule?	Bactria
Where was Bactria situated?	South of the Oxus River; in the region of northern Afghanistan
Did all invading Greek rulers rule successively?	No; some ruled simultaneously in parallel territories
What was an important cause of the Central Asian invasions?	Weakness of the Seleucid Empire
Which regions were associated with the Seleucid Empire in this account?	Bactria and adjoining Parthia in Iran
Which tribes pressured the later Greek rulers?	Scythians
What prevented the Scythians from advancing into China?	Construction of the Chinese Wall
Where did the Scythians turn after being unable to advance into China?	Towards neighbouring Greeks and Parthians
Why were the Bactrian Greeks forced to invade India?	Pressure from Scythian tribes
Why could the successors of Ashoka not stop foreign invasions?	They were too weak
Who were the Indo-Greeks?	Greeks who invaded and ruled parts of north-western India; also called Bactrian Greeks
When did the Indo-Greeks occupy a large part of north-western India?	Beginning of the second century B.C.
How did Indo-Greek territorial expansion compare with Alexander's conquests in India?	They occupied a larger part of north-western India than Alexander had conquered
How far are the Indo-Greeks said to have advanced into India?	Ayodhya and Pataliputra
Did the Greeks establish a united rule in India?	No
How did two Greek dynasties rule north-western India?	Simultaneously, on parallel lines
Who was the most famous Indo-Greek ruler?	Menander
What was Menander's reign?	165–145 B.C.
What was Menander also called?	Milinda
Where was Menander's capital?	Sakala, modern Sialkot in Punjab
Which region did Menander invade?	Ganga–Yamuna Doab
Who converted Menander to Buddhism?	Nagasena
What other name is given to Nagasena in the supplied text?	Nagarjuna
What did Menander ask Nagasena about?	Buddhism
In which book were Menander's questions and Nagasena's answers recorded?	Milinda Panho (The Questions of Milinda)
Why is Indo-Bactrian rule important numismatically?	Large number of coins issued
Who first issued coins in India definitely attributable to particular kings?	Indo-Greeks
Why can early punch-marked coins not be assigned confidently to a dynasty?	They cannot be attributed with certainty to any dynasty
Who first issued gold coins in India?	Indo-Greeks
Under which dynasty did the number of gold coins increase?	Kushans
Which artistic influence did the Greeks introduce into north-western India?	Hellenistic art
Which art tradition emerged from the Greek artistic influence in the north-west frontier?	Gandhara art
Who succeeded the Greeks in India?	Sakas
How did Saka territorial control compare with that of the Greeks?	Sakas controlled a larger part of India
How many branches of the Sakas are described in the text?	Five
Where did the first Saka branch settle?	Afghanistan
Where did the second Saka branch settle, and what was its capital?	Punjab; Taxila
Where did the third Saka branch settle?	Mathura
For approximately how long did the Sakas rule at Mathura?	Two centuries
Where did the fourth Saka branch establish its power?	Western India
Until when did the western Indian Sakas continue to rule?	Fourth century A.D.
Where did the fifth Saka branch establish its power?	Upper Deccan
Did the Sakas face effective resistance from Indian rulers and peoples?	Not much
Which king of Ujjain fought the Sakas around 58 B.C.?	A king who called himself Vikramaditya
What did the Ujjain king accomplish against the Sakas?	Drove them out during his time
From which event is the Vikrama Samvat reckoned in this account?	Victory over the Sakas in 58 B.C.
What title became coveted after the victory over the Sakas?	Vikramaditya
Which Roman imperial title is compared with Vikramaditya?	Caesar
How many Vikramadityas are mentioned in Indian history in this account?	As many as 14
Until when did the title Vikramaditya remain fashionable among Indian kings?	Twelfth century A.D.
Where was the title Vikramaditya especially prevalent?	Western India and western Deccan
Which Saka rulers maintained power for the longest period in India?	Those ruling western India
For approximately how long did the western Indian Sakas rule?	About four centuries
Who was the most famous Saka ruler in India?	Rudradaman I
What was Rudradaman I's reign?	A.D. 130–150
Which territories did Rudradaman rule?	Sindh, Kutch and Gujarat
Which territories did Rudradaman recover from the Satavahanas?	Konkan, Narmada Valley, Malwa and Kathiawar
Which lake did Rudradaman repair?	Sudarsana Lake
Where was Sudarsana Lake located?	Semi-arid zone of Kathiawar
Why was Sudarsana Lake important?	Irrigation
How old was Sudarsana Lake according to the account?	It dated back to Mauryan times
Which language did Rudradaman particularly love?	Sanskrit
What was Rudradaman's epigraphic distinction?	First-ever long inscription in chaste Sanskrit
In which language were earlier longer Indian inscriptions composed?	Prakrit
Who succeeded the Sakas in north-western India?	Parthians
By what combined name are the Sakas and Parthians mentioned in many ancient Sanskrit texts?	Saka-Pahlavas
Did the Sakas and Parthians always rule successively?	No; they ruled in parallel in some periods
Where did the Parthians originally live?	Iran
How much of north-western India did the Parthians occupy in the first century A.D.?	A relatively small portion compared with the Greeks and Sakas
Who was the most famous Parthian king?	Gondophernes
Who is said to have come to India to propagate Christianity during Gondophernes' reign?	St. Thomas
What eventually happened to the Parthians in Indian polity and society?	They became an integral part
What other names are given to the Kushans?	Yuechis or Tocharians
How many clans divided the Yuechi tribe?	Five
To which clan did the Kushans belong?	One of the five Yuechi clans
What was the original way of life of the Kushans?	Nomadic
Where did the Kushans originate geographically?	Steppes of north Central Asia, near China
Which region did the Kushans occupy first?	Bactria, or northern Afghanistan
Whom did the Kushans displace from Bactria?	Sakas
Which valley did the Kushans occupy next?	Kabul Valley
Which region did the Kushans seize after crossing the Hindukush?	Gandhara
Whose rule did the Kushans replace in these areas?	Greeks and Parthians
Which major basins came under Kushan authority?	Lower Indus Basin and much of the Gangetic Basin
Between which rivers did the Kushan Empire extend?	Oxus and Ganga
Between which regions did the Kushan Empire extend according to the text?	Khorasan in Central Asia and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
Which modern geographical areas were substantially brought under Kushan rule?	Parts of Central Asia and Iran, Afghanistan, almost all Pakistan and northern India
What was a major cultural result of the Kushan Empire?	Commingling of peoples and cultures
How many modern countries did the resulting culture embrace, according to the text?	Five
How many successive Kushan dynasties does the text describe?	Two
Who founded the first Kushan dynasty?	Chiefs of the Kadphises house
How long did the Kadphises dynasty rule from about A.D. 50?	28 years
How many kings belonged to the Kadphises house?	Two
Who was the first Kadphises king?	Kadphises I
Where did Kadphises I issue coins?	South of the Hindukush
Which metal coins did Kadphises I mint in imitation of Roman coins?	Copper
Who was the second Kadphises king?	Kadphises II
What type of coins did Kadphises II issue in large numbers?	Gold
Which river did the kingdom of Kadphises II expand beyond?	Indus, towards the east
Which house succeeded the Kadphises house?	House of Kanishka
Which areas did the later Kushan kings bring under their power?	Upper India and lower Indus Basin
How did the gold content of early Kushan coins compare with Gupta gold coins?	Higher
Where are Kushan gold coins mainly found?	West of the Indus
Where are Kushan inscriptions found besides north-western India and Sindh?	Mathura, Sravasti, Kausambi and Varanasi
What do the distribution of Kushan inscriptions indicate?	Authority over much of the Gangetic Basin
What was the first Kushan capital in India?	Purushapura, modern Peshawar
What was the second Kushan capital in India?	Mathura
What evidence of Kushan authority has been found at Mathura?	Coins, inscriptions, sculptures and structures
What did Kanishka erect at Purushapura?	A monastery and a huge stupa
What was the function of a stupa?	Relic-tower; associated with Buddhist relics
What did foreign travellers think of Kanishka's huge stupa?	It inspired wonder
Who was the most famous Kushan ruler?	Kanishka
Which power is said to have defeated Kanishka outside India's borders?	Chinese
Which era did Kanishka start?	A.D. 78
What is the era started by Kanishka now called?	Saka Era
Who uses the Saka Era officially in India?	Government of India
Which religion received Kanishka's wholehearted patronage?	Buddhism
Where did Kanishka hold a Buddhist council?	Kashmir
What was finalized at Kanishka's Buddhist council according to the text?	Doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism
Which other fields did Kanishka patronize?	Art and Sanskrit literature
Until approximately when did Kanishka's successors rule north-western India?	A.D. 230
What kind of names did some later Kushan rulers bear?	Indian names, such as Vasudeva
Which power replaced Kushan rule in Afghanistan and west of the Indus in the mid-third century A.D.?	Sassanians
Where did the Sassanians originate?	Iran
For how long did Kushan principalities continue in India after the main empire declined?	About a century
In which regions did Kushan authority linger during the third and fourth centuries?	Kabul Valley, Kapisa, Bactria, Khorezm and Sogdiana
Which modern cities are associated with Sogdiana in the text?	Bokhara and Samarkand
What archaeological evidence of later Kushan presence has been found?	Coins, inscriptions and terracottas
Where was a huge Kushan palace of the third–fourth centuries discovered?	Toprak-Kala in Khorezm
What did the Toprak-Kala palace contain?	Administrative archives
In which script and language were Toprak-Kala documents written?	Aramaic script; Khorezmian language
What phase registered a distinct advance in building activity?	Saka–Kushan phase
What did excavations reveal at several north Indian sites?	Multiple structural layers, sometimes more than six
What was burnt brick used for?	Flooring
What were tiles used for?	Flooring and roofing
Was the use of surkhi and tiles necessarily borrowed from outside India?	No; the text says this is uncertain
Which type of structure became notable during this period?	Brick wells
What was the characteristic pottery of the Saka–Kushan phase?	Red ware, plain or polished
What was the fabric of this red ware like?	Medium to fine
Which distinctive pottery forms are mentioned?	Sprinklers and spouted channels
Which Central Asian pottery resembles Saka–Kushan red ware?	Red pottery with thin fabric
Where were similar red pottery types found in Central Asia?	Kushan layers in Soviet Central Asia
Where were red pottery techniques widely known?	Central Asia
Which peripheral region of the Kushan cultural zone also had red pottery?	Farghana
How did the Sakas and Kushans affect Indian culture?	Introduced new elements and enriched it
Did the Sakas and Kushans settle permanently in India?	Yes
How did the Sakas and Kushans relate to Indian culture?	They identified themselves with it
What cultural elements did they adopt from India?	Script, language and religion
What position did the Sakas and Kushans eventually occupy in Indian society?	Integral members
Which military capability did they improve in India?	Cavalry
Which animal's use in riding did they spread on a large scale?	Horse
Which two riding equipment items became common through their influence?	Reins and saddles
In which art forms do reins and saddles appear?	Buddhist sculptures of the second and third centuries A.D.
What were the Sakas and Kushans particularly skilled at?	Horsemanship
Where were numerous Kushan equestrian terracotta figures discovered?	Begram, Afghanistan
How were some foreign horsemen equipped?	Heavily armoured
Which weapons did some foreign horsemen use?	Spears and lances
What possible riding device did they use?	A rope toe stirrup
What was the possible function of the rope toe stirrup?	Facilitated movement
Which clothing items were introduced by the Sakas and Kushans?	Turban, tunic, trousers and heavy long coat
Which present-day groups are mentioned as continuing to wear turbans?	Afghans and Punjabis
Which garment is described as a successor of the long coat?	Sherwani
Which other items of clothing or armour did Central Asians bring?	Caps, helmets and boots
In which fields did their military advantages help them achieve victories?	Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
How did dependent princes later use the conquerors' military technology?	Against their former conquerors
From which Central Asian region did India receive considerable gold?	Altai Mountains
Through which other channel might gold have reached India?	Trade with the Roman Empire
Which important trade route did the Kushans control?	Silk Route
Where did the Silk Route begin?	China
Through which territories did the Silk Route pass before reaching western Asia?	Kushan Central Asia and Afghanistan, then Iran
Which part of the Roman Empire formed the western end of the route described?	Eastern Mediterranean region
How did the Silk Route benefit the Kushans?	Tolls collected from traders
What did Silk Route revenue help the Kushans build?	A large, prosperous empire
Which rulers first issued gold coins in India on a wide scale?	Kushans
How did Central Asian conquest affect Indian polity?	Encouraged feudatory organization
Whom did the Central Asian conquerors rule over?	Numerous petty native princes
Which title did the Kushans adopt to express supremacy over smaller princes?	King of kings
Which political idea did the Sakas and Kushans strengthen?	Divine origin of kingship
What title was given to Kushan kings?	Sons of god
From whom did the Kushans adopt the idea of the king as son of a divine being?	Chinese
What did the Chinese call their king?	Son of Heaven
What was the purpose of the divine title in India?	To emphasize royal authority
Which lawgiver asked people to respect the king even if he was a child?	Manu
Why did Manu say that the king should be respected even as a child?	He was a great god ruling in human form
Which administrative system did the Sakas and Kushans introduce?	Satrap system
What was a satrapy?	An administrative division of the empire
Who governed a satrapy?	Satrap
Which unusual succession arrangement is mentioned?	Hereditary dual rule
What did hereditary dual rule involve?	Two kings ruling the same kingdom simultaneously
Which family members are given as an example of joint rule?	Father and son
What does joint rule suggest about centralization under these rulers?	Less centralization
Which military administrative practice did foreigners introduce?	Military governorship
Which foreign rulers appointed governors called strategos?	Greeks
Why were military governors necessary?	To maintain foreign rule over conquered people
What ultimately happened to the Greeks, Sakas, Parthians and Kushans in India?	They lost their separate identity and became Indianized
How were these former conquerors absorbed into Indian society?	As a warrior class, the Kshatriyas
How did Manu explain the position of the Sakas and Parthians?	Kshatriyas who had fallen from their duties
What social status did the Sakas and Parthians come to be assigned under this explanation?	Second-class Kshatriyas
During which period were foreigners assimilated into Indian society on an especially large scale?	Post-Maurya period
Which Indian religious tradition did some foreign rulers adopt?	Vaishnavism
What is Vaishnavism?	Worship of Vishnu
What is Vishnu associated with?	Protection and preservation
Who was Heliodorus?	Greek ambassador
In whose honour did Heliodorus erect a pillar?	Vishnu
Where did Heliodorus erect his pillar?	Near Vidisa, Madhya Pradesh
Which other religion did some foreign rulers adopt?	Buddhism
Which famous Greek ruler became a Buddhist?	Menander
Why are Menander's exchanges with Nagasena important?	Source for post-Maurya cultural history
Which two deities were worshipped by Kushan rulers, as evidenced by their coins?	Siva and Buddha
Which other deity was worshipped by several Kushan rulers?	Vishnu
Which Kushan ruler is specifically associated with Vishnu worship?	Vasudeva
With which deity is the name Vasudeva associated in the text?	Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu
Why did contact with foreigners change Buddhism?	Foreigners wanted concrete and easily understood religious forms
How is original Buddhism characterized in the passage?	Too puritanical and abstract for many foreigners
What did foreigners find difficult to appreciate in existing Buddhist schools?	Philosophical doctrines
What did foreign converts seek in religion?	Intelligibility and satisfaction of religious needs
Which new form of Buddhism emerged?	Mahayana Buddhism
What does Mahayana mean in the text?	Great Wheel
Which new religious practice became prominent in Mahayana Buddhism?	Worship of Buddha images
To whom were the doors of Mahayana Buddhism opened?	All sections of the people
What were followers outside the new Mahayana sect called?	Hinayana followers
What does Hinayana mean in the text?	Small Wheel
Who became a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism?	Kanishka
Where did Kanishka convene a Buddhist council?	Kashmir
On what were Buddhist teachings engraved at the council, according to the text?	Copper sheets
Where were these copper sheets deposited?	Under a stupa
Why are the contents of the council's inscriptions unknown?	The stupa has not been discovered
What did Kanishka build in memory of the Buddha?	Many stupas
How did foreign princes contribute to Indian art?	Patronized Indian art and literature
How did the Kushan Empire influence artistic development?	Brought artisans from different schools and countries together
Which foreign artistic traditions influenced Indian craftsmen in Gandhara?	Greek and Roman
Where did Indian craftsmen particularly interact with Greeks and Romans?	North-western frontier, especially Gandhara
Which artistic tradition emerged from these interactions?	Gandhara art
What style was used to make Buddha images in Gandhara art?	Graeco-Roman style
How was the Buddha's hair fashioned in Gandhara art?	Graeco-Roman style
Which art centre was primarily indigenous despite Gandhara influence?	Mathura
Which art centre also felt the influence of Gandhara art?	Mathura
What kind of Buddha images did Mathura produce?	Beautiful Buddha images
Which famous statue of Kanishka was produced at Mathura?	Headless erect statue
Where is Kanishka's name inscribed on this statue?	Lower part
Which Jain religious figure was represented in Mathura stone images?	Vardhamana Mahavira
When did the Mathura school of art flourish?	Early centuries of the Christian era
Which stone was used for Mathura sculptures?	Red sandstone
Were Mathura sculptures found only in Mathura?	No; they are also found outside Mathura
Which museum has the largest collection of Kushan-period sculptures in India, according to the text?	Mathura Museum
Which region south of the Vindhyas also produced beautiful art during this period?	Several locations in peninsular India
Where were beautiful Buddhist rock-cut caves constructed?	Maharashtra
Which Andhra Pradesh sites became major centres of Buddhist art?	Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati
What was depicted on numerous Buddhist art panels in Andhra Pradesh?	Stories connected with the Buddha
Where are the earliest panels dealing with Buddhism found?	Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut
To which period do the earliest Buddhist panels at Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut belong?	Second century B.C.
When did sculpture undergo further development according to the passage?	Early centuries of the Christian era
Which literature did foreign princes patronize?	Sanskrit literature
Where is the earliest specimen of kavya style found in the passage?	Rudradaman's inscription in Kathiawar
When was Rudradaman's inscription composed?	About A.D. 150
What happened to the language of inscriptions after Rudradaman's time?	Chaste Sanskrit became more common
Until when did Prakrit continue to be used for inscriptions?	Fourth century A.D. and later
Which creative writer is said to have enjoyed Kushan patronage?	Asvaghosha
Which work by Asvaghosha is a biography of the Buddha?	Buddhacharita
Which other work did Asvaghosha compose?	Saundarananda
What is Saundarananda an example of?	Sanskrit kavya
Which literary genre developed with the progress of Mahayana Buddhism?	Avadanas
In which language were many avadana texts composed?	Buddhist-Hybrid Sanskrit
What was the main objective of these avadana texts?	Preach Mahayana Buddhist teachings
Name two important books of the avadana-related genre mentioned in the text.	Mahavastu and Divyavadana
What theatrical practice did foreigners introduce into India?	Use of the curtain
What was the Sanskrit term for the curtain borrowed from the Greeks?	Yavanika
From which term was yavanika derived?	Yavana
From which Greek group was the word yavana derived?	Ionians
How was yavana used in later times?	For foreigners generally
Which Indian sciences benefited from contact with the Greeks?	Astronomy and astrology
What evidence of Greek influence occurs in Sanskrit astronomical texts?	Greek terms for planetary movements
Which Sanskrit astrological term was derived from the Greek word horoscope?	Horasastra
Which three fields did Indians not owe anything striking to the Greeks in, according to the text?	Medicine, botany and chemistry
Which two ancient Indian scholars are associated with medicine, botany and chemistry in the passage?	Charaka and Susruta
What does the Charakasamhita contain?	Names of numerous medicinal plants and herbs
What were the plants and herbs used for?	Preparation of medicines for patients
What do the processes of pounding and mixing plants indicate?	Developed chemical knowledge
What was the chief source of remedies for ancient Indian physicians?	Plants
What is the Sanskrit word for medicinal plants?	Oshadhi
What term for medicine developed from the use of plants?	Aushadhi
Which field besides military affairs may have benefited from Central Asian contact?	Technology
Which clothing items is Kanishka represented as wearing?	Trousers and long boots
Which footwear practice may have begun in India during this period?	Making leather shoes
Which coins were imitated by Kushan copper coins in India?	Roman coins
Which coins were imitated by Kushan gold coins?	Roman gold coins
How many exchanges of embassies between Indian and Roman kings are mentioned?	Two
When was an Indian embassy sent to the court of Augustus?	A.D. 27–28
When was an Indian embassy sent to the court of Trajan?	A.D. 110–120
Which Roman emperors received Indian embassies according to the text?	Augustus and Trajan
Which technological craft was especially influenced by foreign ideas and practices?	Glassmaking
How did glassmaking progress during this period compared with other periods in India?	It made exceptional progress
What topics do the chapter exercises ask students to discuss?	Indo-Greeks; Sakas; Kushans; Kanishka; polity and society; Mahayana Buddhism; Mathura art; Gandhara art

MCQs

1 The period of extensive Central Asian contacts with India began around:

1. 600 B.C.
2. 200 B.C.
3. 200 A.D.
4. 600 A.D.

1. 600 B.C. ❌
2. 200 B.C. ✅ The chapter places the beginning of this period around 200 B.C.
3. 200 A.D. ❌
4. 600 A.D. ❌

2 Which native dynasties succeeded the Mauryas in eastern, central and southern India?

1. Guptas, Vakatakas and Pallavas
2. Sungas, Kanvas and Satavahanas
3. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas
4. Kushans, Sakas and Parthians

1. Guptas, Vakatakas and Pallavas ❌
2. Sungas, Kanvas and Satavahanas ✅ These are the successor dynasties listed in the passage.
3. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas ❌
4. Kushans, Sakas and Parthians ❌ These were foreign ruling groups.

3 Who were the first invaders to cross the Hindukush into India in the period described?

1. Sakas
2. Parthians
3. Greeks
4. Kushans

1. Sakas ❌
2. Parthians ❌
3. Greeks ✅ The Greeks crossed the Hindukush first and are also called Indo-Greeks or Bactrian Greeks.
4. Kushans ❌

4 Bactria was situated:

1. North of the Ganga
2. East of the Brahmaputra
3. South of the Oxus River, in the region of northern Afghanistan
4. South of the Narmada River

1. North of the Ganga ❌
2. East of the Brahmaputra ❌
3. South of the Oxus River, in the region of northern Afghanistan ✅ This is the location given in the chapter.
4. South of the Narmada River ❌

5 Which factor contributed to the invasions by the Bactrian Greeks?

1. Strengthening of the Mauryan Empire
2. Pressure from Scythian tribes
3. Expansion of the Gupta Empire
4. Decline of Roman trade alone

1. Strengthening of the Mauryan Empire ❌
2. Pressure from Scythian tribes ✅ Scythian pressure forced the Bactrian Greeks towards India.
3. Expansion of the Gupta Empire ❌
4. Decline of Roman trade alone ❌

6 Why did the Scythians turn towards the Greeks and Parthians?

1. The Greeks invited them to India
2. They had conquered the Roman Empire
3. The Chinese Wall prevented further advance into China
4. The Kushans drove them towards Europe

1. The Greeks invited them to India ❌
2. They had conquered the Roman Empire ❌
3. The Chinese Wall prevented further advance into China ✅ The text links this obstacle to the Scythians' turn towards neighbouring peoples.
4. The Kushans drove them towards Europe ❌

7 Which statement about the Indo-Greeks is correct?

1. They established one permanently united empire across India
2. They ruled only eastern India
3. Some Greek dynasties ruled simultaneously in north-western India
4. They arrived after the Guptas

1. They established one permanently united empire across India ❌
2. They ruled only eastern India ❌
3. Some Greek dynasties ruled simultaneously in north-western India ✅ The chapter describes parallel Greek dynasties.
4. They arrived after the Guptas ❌

8 The Indo-Greeks occupied a large part of north-western India by the:

1. Beginning of the fourth century B.C.
2. Beginning of the second century B.C.
3. Beginning of the second century A.D.
4. End of the fifth century A.D.

1. Beginning of the fourth century B.C. ❌
2. Beginning of the second century B.C. ✅ This is the period specified in the passage.
3. Beginning of the second century A.D. ❌
4. End of the fifth century A.D. ❌

9 The Indo-Greeks are said to have advanced as far as:

1. Madurai and Kanchipuram
2. Taxila and Kabul only
3. Ayodhya and Pataliputra
4. Ujjain and Pratishthana only

1. Madurai and Kanchipuram ❌
2. Taxila and Kabul only ❌
3. Ayodhya and Pataliputra ✅ These are the farthest places mentioned in the account.
4. Ujjain and Pratishthana only ❌

10 Who was the most famous Indo-Greek ruler?

1. Kadphises I
2. Menander
3. Gondophernes
4. Rudradaman I

1. Kadphises I ❌ He was a Kushan ruler.
2. Menander ✅ Menander, also known as Milinda, was the most famous Indo-Greek ruler.
3. Gondophernes ❌ He was a Parthian king.
4. Rudradaman I ❌ He was a Saka ruler.

11 Menander's reign is given as:

1. 185–170 B.C.
2. 130–150 A.D.
3. 165–145 B.C.
4. 78–100 A.D.

1. 185–170 B.C. ❌
2. 130–150 A.D. ❌ This is Rudradaman I's reign, with the dates written in reverse order here.
3. 165–145 B.C. ✅ These are the dates provided for Menander.
4. 78–100 A.D. ❌

12 Menander's capital was:

1. Purushapura
2. Sakala
3. Mathura
4. Vidisa

1. Purushapura ❌ This was the first Kushan capital in India.
2. Sakala ✅ Sakala is identified with modern Sialkot in Punjab.
3. Mathura ❌ This was the second Kushan capital in India.
4. Vidisa ❌ Heliodorus erected his pillar near Vidisa.

13 Who converted Menander to Buddhism?

1. Asvaghosha
2. Charaka
3. Nagasena
4. Heliodorus

1. Asvaghosha ❌ He was a Buddhist writer.
2. Charaka ❌ He is associated with medicine.
3. Nagasena ✅ Menander's Buddhist discussions with Nagasena are recorded in the Milinda Panho.
4. Heliodorus ❌ He was a Greek ambassador associated with a pillar dedicated to Vishnu.

14 The Milinda Panho records:

1. Rudradaman's military victories
2. Accounts of Roman embassies
3. Menander's questions and Nagasena's answers about Buddhism
4. Kanishka's inscriptions on copper sheets

1. Rudradaman's military victories ❌
2. Accounts of Roman embassies ❌
3. Menander's questions and Nagasena's answers about Buddhism ✅ This is the content of the Milinda Panho.
4. Kanishka's inscriptions on copper sheets ❌

15 Which rulers first issued coins in India that can definitely be attributed to particular kings?

1. Mauryas
2. Indo-Greeks
3. Guptas
4. Satavahanas

1. Mauryas ❌
2. Indo-Greeks ✅ Their coins can be definitely attributed to particular kings, unlike early punch-marked coins.
3. Guptas ❌
4. Satavahanas ❌

16 According to the chapter, who first issued gold coins in India?

1. Mauryas
2. Indo-Greeks
3. Guptas
4. Parthians

1. Mauryas ❌
2. Indo-Greeks ✅ The chapter credits the Indo-Greeks with the first gold coin issues in India; Kushans later issued gold coins widely.
3. Guptas ❌
4. Parthians ❌

17 Which art tradition arose through Hellenistic influence in north-western India?

1. Chola art
2. Amaravati art alone
3. Gandhara art
4. Pala art

1. Chola art ❌
2. Amaravati art alone ❌
3. Gandhara art ✅ Gandhara art incorporated Greek and Roman artistic features.
4. Pala art ❌

18 How many branches of the Sakas are described in the chapter?

1. Three
2. Four
3. Five
4. Seven

1. Three ❌
2. Four ❌
3. Five ✅ The passage describes five branches with seats of power in different regions.
4. Seven ❌

19 Which Saka branch had Taxila as its capital?

1. The branch in Afghanistan
2. The branch in Punjab
3. The branch in Mathura
4. The branch in the upper Deccan

1. The branch in Afghanistan ❌
2. The branch in Punjab ✅ The Punjab branch used Taxila as its capital.
3. The branch in Mathura ❌
4. The branch in the upper Deccan ❌

20 For approximately how long did the Sakas rule at Mathura?

1. Five decades
2. Two centuries
3. Four centuries
4. Eight centuries

1. Five decades ❌
2. Two centuries ✅ The Mathura branch ruled for approximately two centuries.
3. Four centuries ❌ This duration is associated with the Sakas of western India.
4. Eight centuries ❌

21 The Vikrama Samvat is traditionally reckoned in this chapter from the victory over the Sakas in:

1. 78 A.D.
2. 130 A.D.
3. 58 B.C.
4. 200 B.C.

1. 78 A.D. ❌ This is the starting year of the Saka Era associated with Kanishka in the chapter.
2. 130 A.D. ❌
3. 58 B.C. ✅ The text connects the Vikrama Samvat with the Ujjain king's victory over the Sakas.
4. 200 B.C. ❌

22 Which title became fashionable among Indian kings following the victory over the Sakas described in the chapter?

1. King of Kings
2. Caesar
3. Vikramaditya
4. Strategos

1. King of Kings ❌ This title is associated with the Kushans.
2. Caesar ❌ This was the Roman title used for comparison.
3. Vikramaditya ✅ The title was adopted by later rulers to emphasize their achievements and power.
4. Strategos ❌ This term referred to Greek military governors.

23 Who was the most famous Saka ruler in India?

1. Menander
2. Gondophernes
3. Rudradaman I
4. Kanishka

1. Menander ❌ He was an Indo-Greek ruler.
2. Gondophernes ❌ He was a Parthian king.
3. Rudradaman I ✅ Rudradaman I was the best-known Saka ruler in India.
4. Kanishka ❌ He was a Kushan ruler.

24 Rudradaman I ruled during:

1. 165–145 B.C.
2. 50–78 A.D.
3. 130–150 A.D.
4. 200–230 A.D.

1. 165–145 B.C. ❌ This is Menander's reign as given in the chapter.
2. 50–78 A.D. ❌
3. 130–150 A.D. ✅ These are Rudradaman I's dates in the text.
4. 200–230 A.D. ❌

25 Which territories did Rudradaman recover from the Satavahanas?

1. Magadha, Bengal and Kalinga
2. Konkan, Narmada Valley, Malwa and Kathiawar
3. Taxila, Mathura and Sakala
4. Kashmir, Gandhara and Bactria

1. Magadha, Bengal and Kalinga ❌
2. Konkan, Narmada Valley, Malwa and Kathiawar ✅ These territories are specifically listed in the passage.
3. Taxila, Mathura and Sakala ❌
4. Kashmir, Gandhara and Bactria ❌

26 Rudradaman I is especially remembered for repairing:

1. Dal Lake
2. Pushkar Lake
3. Sudarsana Lake
4. Chilika Lake

1. Dal Lake ❌
2. Pushkar Lake ❌
3. Sudarsana Lake ✅ The lake in Kathiawar had long been used for irrigation and dated to Mauryan times.
4. Chilika Lake ❌

27 What was Rudradaman I's major epigraphic distinction?

1. First inscription in Tamil
2. First inscription in Greek
3. First long inscription in chaste Sanskrit
4. First inscription in Persian

1. First inscription in Tamil ❌
2. First inscription in Greek ❌
3. First long inscription in chaste Sanskrit ✅ The chapter identifies Rudradaman's inscription as the first-ever long inscription in chaste Sanskrit.
4. First inscription in Persian ❌

28 The Saka domination in north-western India was followed by that of the:

1. Guptas
2. Parthians
3. Cholas
4. Palas

1. Guptas ❌
2. Parthians ✅ The text describes the Parthians as the successors to Saka domination in the region.
3. Cholas ❌
4. Palas ❌

29 The combined term used for the Sakas and Parthians in many ancient Sanskrit texts was:

1. Yuechi-Tocharians
2. Deva-putras
3. Saka-Pahlavas
4. Indo-Bactrians

1. Yuechi-Tocharians ❌ These names are associated with the Kushans.
2. Deva-putras ❌
3. Saka-Pahlavas ✅ Ancient Sanskrit texts sometimes referred to the two peoples together by this term.
4. Indo-Bactrians ❌ This term refers to the Indo-Greeks in the chapter.

30 Who was the most famous Parthian king mentioned in the chapter?

1. Menander
2. Rudradaman I
3. Gondophernes
4. Kadphises II

1. Menander ❌
2. Rudradaman I ❌
3. Gondophernes ✅ St. Thomas is said to have visited India during his reign to propagate Christianity.
4. Kadphises II ❌

31 The Kushans were also known as:

1. Saka-Pahlavas
2. Yuechis or Tocharians
3. Seleucids
4. Satraps

1. Saka-Pahlavas ❌ This term refers to Sakas and Parthians together.
2. Yuechis or Tocharians ✅ The chapter identifies the Kushans by these names.
3. Seleucids ❌
4. Satraps ❌ Satraps were provincial governors.

32 The Kushans originally came from:

1. Southern India
2. Arabia
3. The steppes of north Central Asia near China
4. The lower Ganga Valley

1. Southern India ❌
2. Arabia ❌
3. The steppes of north Central Asia near China ✅ The text describes the Kushans as a nomadic people from this region.
4. The lower Ganga Valley ❌

33 Which region did the Kushans occupy first?

1. Mathura
2. Bactria
3. Varanasi
4. Vidisa

1. Mathura ❌ It later became their second capital in India.
2. Bactria ✅ The Kushans first occupied Bactria, in northern Afghanistan, displacing the Sakas.
3. Varanasi ❌
4. Vidisa ❌

34 Which rulers did the Kushans replace in Gandhara and adjoining areas?

1. Mauryas and Sungas
2. Greeks and Parthians
3. Guptas and Palas
4. Cholas and Pandyas

1. Mauryas and Sungas ❌
2. Greeks and Parthians ✅ The Kushans crossed the Hindukush, seized Gandhara and replaced these rulers.
3. Guptas and Palas ❌
4. Cholas and Pandyas ❌

35 The Kushan Empire extended between which two rivers?

1. Indus and Narmada
2. Yamuna and Godavari
3. Oxus and Ganga
4. Jaxartes and Krishna

1. Indus and Narmada ❌
2. Yamuna and Godavari ❌
3. Oxus and Ganga ✅ The chapter describes the empire as extending from the Oxus to the Ganga.
4. Jaxartes and Krishna ❌

36 Which house founded the first Kushan dynasty?

1. House of Kanishka
2. House of Kadphises
3. House of Rudradaman
4. House of Menander

1. House of Kanishka ❌ It succeeded the Kadphises house.
2. House of Kadphises ✅ The first Kushan dynasty was founded by chiefs of the Kadphises house.
3. House of Rudradaman ❌
4. House of Menander ❌

37 How long did the Kadphises dynasty rule from approximately A.D. 50, according to the chapter?

1. 10 years
2. 28 years
3. 50 years
4. 100 years

1. 10 years ❌
2. 28 years ✅ The chapter gives the duration as 28 years and identifies two kings.
3. 50 years ❌
4. 100 years ❌

38 Which statement about Kadphises I is correct?

1. He founded Mahayana Buddhism
2. He repaired Sudarsana Lake
3. He issued copper coins south of the Hindukush in imitation of Roman coins
4. He was the most famous Parthian king

1. He founded Mahayana Buddhism ❌
2. He repaired Sudarsana Lake ❌
3. He issued copper coins south of the Hindukush in imitation of Roman coins ✅ This is the coinage activity attributed to Kadphises I.
4. He was the most famous Parthian king ❌

39 Which Kushan ruler issued a large number of gold coins and extended his kingdom east of the Indus?

1. Kadphises I
2. Kadphises II
3. Menander
4. Gondophernes

1. Kadphises I ❌ He is associated with copper coins south of the Hindukush.
2. Kadphises II ✅ He issued many gold coins and expanded east of the Indus.
3. Menander ❌
4. Gondophernes ❌

40 What was the first Kushan capital in India?

1. Mathura
2. Sakala
3. Purushapura
4. Taxila

1. Mathura ❌ It was the second Kushan capital in India.
2. Sakala ❌ It was Menander's capital.
3. Purushapura ✅ Purushapura, modern Peshawar, was the first Kushan capital in India.
4. Taxila ❌ It was the capital of a Saka branch in Punjab.

41 Which place served as the second Kushan capital in India?

1. Vidisa
2. Mathura
3. Pataliputra
4. Ujjain

1. Vidisa ❌
2. Mathura ✅ Kushan coins, inscriptions, sculptures and structures found there support its importance.
3. Pataliputra ❌
4. Ujjain ❌

42 Which era did Kanishka start in A.D. 78?

1. Vikrama Samvat
2. Gupta Era
3. Saka Era
4. Kalachuri Era

1. Vikrama Samvat ❌ The chapter connects this with the Saka victory dated to 58 B.C.
2. Gupta Era ❌
3. Saka Era ✅ Kanishka is credited with starting the era in A.D. 78 in the passage.
4. Kalachuri Era ❌

43 Kanishka held a Buddhist council in:

1. Mathura
2. Taxila
3. Kashmir
4. Varanasi

1. Mathura ❌
2. Taxila ❌
3. Kashmir ✅ The council is associated with the finalization of Mahayana doctrines in the chapter.
4. Varanasi ❌

44 Which power replaced the Kushan Empire in Afghanistan and west of the Indus in the mid-third century A.D.?

1. Gupta power
2. Satavahana power
3. Sassanian power
4. Mauryan power

1. Gupta power ❌
2. Satavahana power ❌
3. Sassanian power ✅ The Sassanians arose in Iran and supplanted Kushan authority in those areas.
4. Mauryan power ❌

45 The huge Kushan palace discovered at Toprak-Kala was located in:

1. Gujarat
2. Mathura
3. Khorezm
4. Kathiawar

1. Gujarat ❌
2. Mathura ❌
3. Khorezm ✅ The palace contained administrative archives written in Aramaic script and Khorezmian language.
4. Kathiawar ❌

46 Which statement correctly describes building activities in the Saka–Kushan phase?

1. Brick structures disappeared completely
2. Only wooden roofing was used
3. Burnt bricks were used for flooring, and tiles for flooring and roofing
4. Brick wells were unknown

1. Brick structures disappeared completely ❌
2. Only wooden roofing was used ❌
3. Burnt bricks were used for flooring, and tiles for flooring and roofing ✅ These building practices are described in the chapter.
4. Brick wells were unknown ❌ Brick wells are specifically mentioned.

47 Which pottery was characteristic of the Saka–Kushan phase?

1. Only black polished ware
2. Blue glazed porcelain
3. Red ware, plain or polished, with medium to fine fabric
4. Only coarse grey pottery

1. Only black polished ware ❌
2. Blue glazed porcelain ❌
3. Red ware, plain or polished, with medium to fine fabric ✅ Sprinklers and spouted channels were distinctive forms.
4. Only coarse grey pottery ❌

48 Which pottery forms are identified as distinctive in the Saka–Kushan phase?

1. Goblets and amphorae only
2. Sprinklers and spouted channels
3. Porcelain bowls and teacups
4. Iron vessels and bronze plates

1. Goblets and amphorae only ❌
2. Sprinklers and spouted channels ✅ These forms are explicitly named in the text.
3. Porcelain bowls and teacups ❌
4. Iron vessels and bronze plates ❌

49 Which military contribution is associated with the Sakas and Kushans?

1. Introduction of war elephants alone
2. Abandonment of cavalry
3. Improved cavalry and large-scale use of riding horses
4. Introduction of gunpowder

1. Introduction of war elephants alone ❌
2. Abandonment of cavalry ❌
3. Improved cavalry and large-scale use of riding horses ✅ They also popularized reins and saddles.
4. Introduction of gunpowder ❌

50 Which items of clothing were introduced by the Sakas and Kushans, according to the chapter?

1. Dhoti and angavastra only
2. Turban, tunic, trousers and heavy long coat
3. Silk kimono and wooden sandals
4. Only cotton robes

1. Dhoti and angavastra only ❌
2. Turban, tunic, trousers and heavy long coat ✅ The text also mentions caps, helmets and boots.
3. Silk kimono and wooden sandals ❌
4. Only cotton robes ❌

51 Which trade route was controlled by the Kushans?

1. Spice Route only
2. Silk Route
3. Grand Trunk Road
4. Uttarapatha only

1. Spice Route only ❌
2. Silk Route ✅ It connected China with Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran and western Asia through the territories described.
3. Grand Trunk Road ❌
4. Uttarapatha only ❌

52 What was an important source of income for the Kushans from the Silk Route?

1. Land tax alone
2. Fishing rights
3. Tolls levied on traders
4. Tribute from Roman senators only

1. Land tax alone ❌
2. Fishing rights ❌
3. Tolls levied on traders ✅ The toll revenue helped the Kushans build a large, prosperous empire.
4. Tribute from Roman senators only ❌

53 Which title did Kushan kings adopt to indicate supremacy over smaller princes?

1. Chakravartin alone
2. King of kings
3. Strategos
4. Caesar Augustus

1. Chakravartin alone ❌
2. King of kings ✅ The title expressed supremacy over numerous petty princes.
3. Strategos ❌ This was a Greek military-governor title.
4. Caesar Augustus ❌

54 The Kushan kings were called:

1. Servants of the people
2. Sons of god
3. Satraps of Heaven
4. Consuls of Rome

1. Servants of the people ❌
2. Sons of god ✅ The title emphasized divine kingship and was adopted from the Chinese idea of the Son of Heaven.
3. Satraps of Heaven ❌
4. Consuls of Rome ❌

55 Which administrative system divided the empire into units governed by satraps?

1. Village republic system
2. Manorial system
3. Satrap system
4. Cabinet system

1. Village republic system ❌
2. Manorial system ❌
3. Satrap system ✅ The empire was divided into satrapies, each governed by a satrap.
4. Cabinet system ❌

56 What was hereditary dual rule?

1. Two governors ruling different provinces
2. Two kings ruling the same kingdom simultaneously
3. Two dynasties alternating every century
4. Joint rule by a king and a Roman emperor

1. Two governors ruling different provinces ❌
2. Two kings ruling the same kingdom simultaneously ✅ The chapter cites father and son ruling together as an example.
3. Two dynasties alternating every century ❌
4. Joint rule by a king and a Roman emperor ❌

57 The Greek military governors were called:

1. Satraps
2. Consuls
3. Strategos
4. Mahamatras

1. Satraps ❌
2. Consuls ❌
3. Strategos ✅ The Greeks appointed strategos to maintain authority over conquered peoples.
4. Mahamatras ❌

58 How were the Greeks, Sakas, Parthians and Kushans eventually assimilated into Indian society?

1. As merchant guilds only
2. As Buddhist monks exclusively
3. As a warrior class, the Kshatriyas
4. They remained entirely separate

1. As merchant guilds only ❌
2. As Buddhist monks exclusively ❌
3. As a warrior class, the Kshatriyas ✅ The chapter describes their eventual Indianization and absorption as Kshatriyas.
4. They remained entirely separate ❌

59 How did Manu explain the status of the Sakas and Parthians?

1. They were Brahmanas by birth
2. They were Kshatriyas who had fallen from their duties
3. They were Vaishyas who had become kings
4. They were outside Indian society permanently

1. They were Brahmanas by birth ❌
2. They were Kshatriyas who had fallen from their duties ✅ The passage says this explanation placed them as second-class Kshatriyas.
3. They were Vaishyas who had become kings ❌
4. They were outside Indian society permanently ❌

60 Which foreign ambassador erected a pillar in honour of Vishnu near Vidisa?

1. Megasthenes
2. Deimachus
3. Heliodorus
4. Fa-Hien

1. Megasthenes ❌
2. Deimachus ❌
3. Heliodorus ✅ The Greek ambassador's pillar near Vidisa honoured Vishnu.
4. Fa-Hien ❌

61 Which two deities appeared on Kushan coins according to the chapter?

1. Indra and Agni only
2. Siva and Buddha
3. Surya and Varuna only
4. Brahma and Ganesha only

1. Indra and Agni only ❌
2. Siva and Buddha ✅ Kushan rulers worshipped both, and their images appeared on coins.
3. Surya and Varuna only ❌
4. Brahma and Ganesha only ❌

62 Which Kushan ruler's name is associated with Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu?

1. Kadphises I
2. Kanishka
3. Vasudeva
4. Huvishka

1. Kadphises I ❌
2. Kanishka ❌
3. Vasudeva ✅ The text identifies Vasudeva's name as a synonym for Krishna.
4. Huvishka ❌

63 What was a major reason for the development of Mahayana Buddhism?

1. Rejection of every image of the Buddha
2. Foreigners wanted a more concrete and intelligible religious form
3. Ban on all Buddhist teachings
4. Destruction of every Buddhist monastery

1. Rejection of every image of the Buddha ❌ Mahayana encouraged Buddha-image worship.
2. Foreigners wanted a more concrete and intelligible religious form ✅ The chapter links their religious needs to the emergence of Mahayana.
3. Ban on all Buddhist teachings ❌
4. Destruction of every Buddhist monastery ❌

64 Mahayana means:

1. Small Wheel
2. Great Wheel
3. Middle Path
4. Eightfold Path

1. Small Wheel ❌ This is the meaning given for Hinayana.
2. Great Wheel ✅ The chapter translates Mahayana as the Great Wheel.
3. Middle Path ❌
4. Eightfold Path ❌

65 Which practice became prominent in Mahayana Buddhism?

1. Worship of Roman emperors
2. Rejection of Buddha images
3. Worship of images of the Buddha
4. Exclusive worship of Vishnu

1. Worship of Roman emperors ❌
2. Rejection of Buddha images ❌
3. Worship of images of the Buddha ✅ Buddha-image worship is a defining change described in the passage.
4. Exclusive worship of Vishnu ❌

66 Followers who did not subscribe to Mahayana were called:

1. Vaishnavas
2. Hinayana followers
3. Ajivikas
4. Satraps

1. Vaishnavas ❌
2. Hinayana followers ✅ The chapter translates Hinayana as the Small Wheel.
3. Ajivikas ❌
4. Satraps ❌

67 According to the chapter, where were the teachings from Kanishka's Buddhist council engraved?

1. Gold plates
2. Wooden tablets
3. Copper sheets
4. Silver coins

1. Gold plates ❌
2. Wooden tablets ❌
3. Copper sheets ✅ The sheets were deposited under a stupa, which has not been discovered according to the text.
4. Silver coins ❌

68 Which artistic tradition depicted the Buddha in a Graeco-Roman style?

1. Mathura art exclusively
2. Amaravati art exclusively
3. Gandhara art
4. Chola bronzes

1. Mathura art exclusively ❌ Mathura was primarily an indigenous art centre.
2. Amaravati art exclusively ❌
3. Gandhara art ✅ Greek and Roman influence is especially associated with Gandhara Buddha images and their hair styling.
4. Chola bronzes ❌

69 Which feature identifies the famous statue of Kanishka from Mathura?

1. A seated Buddha with a halo
2. A headless erect statue with his name inscribed on its lower part
3. A bronze horseman with a sword
4. A pillar bearing Greek poetry

1. A seated Buddha with a halo ❌
2. A headless erect statue with his name inscribed on its lower part ✅ The text describes this distinctive Mathura sculpture.
3. A bronze horseman with a sword ❌
4. A pillar bearing Greek poetry ❌

70 Which material was used for Mathura sculptures?

1. White marble exclusively
2. Black basalt exclusively
3. Red sandstone
4. Granite exclusively

1. White marble exclusively ❌
2. Black basalt exclusively ❌
3. Red sandstone ✅ The chapter notes that Mathura sculptures in red sandstone have been found beyond Mathura as well.
4. Granite exclusively ❌

71 Which sites in Andhra Pradesh became major centres of Buddhist art?

1. Taxila and Sakala
2. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati
3. Vidisa and Ujjain
4. Toprak-Kala and Khorezm

1. Taxila and Sakala ❌
2. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati ✅ The chapter identifies both as major Buddhist art centres in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Vidisa and Ujjain ❌
4. Toprak-Kala and Khorezm ❌ These are associated with Kushan archaeological remains in Central Asia.

72 The earliest Buddhist panels at Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut belong to the:

1. Fourth century B.C.
2. Second century B.C.
3. Second century A.D.
4. Fourth century A.D.

1. Fourth century B.C. ❌
2. Second century B.C. ✅ The chapter places these earliest Buddhist panels in the second century B.C.
3. Second century A.D. ❌
4. Fourth century A.D. ❌

73 Who composed Buddhacharita?

1. Charaka
2. Manu
3. Asvaghosha
4. Nagasena

1. Charaka ❌ He is associated with medical knowledge.
2. Manu ❌ He is identified as a lawgiver.
3. Asvaghosha ✅ Buddhacharita is his biography of the Buddha.
4. Nagasena ❌ He is associated with Menander's Buddhist discussions.

74 Which work by Asvaghosha is described as a fine example of Sanskrit kavya?

1. Milinda Panho
2. Mahavastu
3. Saundarananda
4. Divyavadana

1. Milinda Panho ❌ This records Menander's questions and Nagasena's answers.
2. Mahavastu ❌ It is identified as an important Buddhist-Hybrid Sanskrit text.
3. Saundarananda ✅ Asvaghosha composed this work, which the chapter describes as a fine example of Sanskrit kavya.
4. Divyavadana ❌ It is another important Buddhist text mentioned in the chapter.

75 What was the main purpose of the avadana texts mentioned in the chapter?

1. To teach Roman military tactics
2. To preach Mahayana Buddhist teachings
3. To record only royal land grants
4. To explain Greek planetary mathematics exclusively

1. To teach Roman military tactics ❌
2. To preach Mahayana Buddhist teachings ✅ These texts were intended to communicate Mahayana teachings to the people.
3. To record only royal land grants ❌
4. To explain Greek planetary mathematics exclusively ❌

76 Which pair consists of important books of the Buddhist-Hybrid Sanskrit genre mentioned in the text?

1. Buddhacharita and Saundarananda
2. Mahavastu and Divyavadana
3. Milinda Panho and Arthashastra
4. Charakasamhita and Sushruta Samhita

1. Buddhacharita and Saundarananda ❌ These are works by Asvaghosha.
2. Mahavastu and Divyavadana ✅ Both are named as important texts of this genre.
3. Milinda Panho and Arthashastra ❌
4. Charakasamhita and Sushruta Samhita ❌

77 The Sanskrit term yavanika refers to the:

1. Royal crown
2. Horse saddle
3. Curtain used in theatre
4. Provincial governor

1. Royal crown ❌
2. Horse saddle ❌
3. Curtain used in theatre ✅ The chapter attributes the use of the theatrical curtain to Greek influence.
4. Provincial governor ❌

78 The word yavana was originally associated with which Greek group in the account?

1. Dorians
2. Achaeans
3. Ionians
4. Spartans

1. Dorians ❌
2. Achaeans ❌
3. Ionians ✅ The chapter derives yavana from a Sanskritized form of Ionian and notes its later broader use for foreigners.
4. Spartans ❌

79 Which fields of Indian knowledge benefited from Greek contact according to the chapter?

1. Medicine and surgery alone
2. Botany and chemistry alone
3. Astronomy and astrology
4. Agriculture and irrigation alone

1. Medicine and surgery alone ❌
2. Botany and chemistry alone ❌
3. Astronomy and astrology ✅ Greek terms for planetary movements and the term horasastra illustrate the influence described.
4. Agriculture and irrigation alone ❌

80 The Sanskrit term horasastra for astrology was derived from the Greek term:

1. Satrap
2. Strategos
3. Horoscope
4. Yavanika

1. Satrap ❌
2. Strategos ❌
3. Horoscope ✅ The passage specifically links horasastra with the Greek term horoscope.
4. Yavanika ❌ This refers to the theatrical curtain.

81 Which scholars are associated with the Indian treatment of medicine, botany and chemistry in the passage?

1. Asvaghosha and Nagasena
2. Charaka and Susruta
3. Menander and Heliodorus
4. Manu and Kanishka

1. Asvaghosha and Nagasena ❌
2. Charaka and Susruta ✅ The passage associates these subjects with their work and discusses medicinal plants in the Charakasamhita.
3. Menander and Heliodorus ❌
4. Manu and Kanishka ❌

82 What does the word oshadhi mean in the chapter?

1. Astrological chart
2. Royal decree
3. Medicinal plant
4. Glass furnace

1. Astrological chart ❌
2. Royal decree ❌
3. Medicinal plant ✅ The text says ancient Indian physicians chiefly relied on plants and gives oshadhi as the Sanskrit word.
4. Glass furnace ❌

83 Which Roman emperor received an Indian embassy in A.D. 27–28 according to the chapter?

1. Trajan
2. Augustus
3. Nero
4. Hadrian

1. Trajan ❌ The second embassy mentioned was sent during A.D. 110–120.
2. Augustus ✅ The text dates the Indian embassy to Augustus's court to A.D. 27–28.
3. Nero ❌
4. Hadrian ❌

84 Which Roman emperor is associated with the Indian embassy of A.D. 110–120?

1. Augustus
2. Claudius
3. Trajan
4. Constantine

1. Augustus ❌ The embassy to Augustus is dated A.D. 27–28.
2. Claudius ❌
3. Trajan ✅ The passage gives A.D. 110–120 for the embassy to Trajan's court.
4. Constantine ❌

85 Which craft made exceptional progress in India during the period of Central Asian and Roman contacts?

1. Porcelain manufacture
2. Gunpowder production
3. Glassmaking
4. Printing with movable type

1. Porcelain manufacture ❌
2. Gunpowder production ❌
3. Glassmaking ✅ The chapter says foreign ideas and practices particularly influenced glassmaking during this period.
4. Printing with movable type ❌