Ancience India Chapter 18 - Crafts, Trade and Towns in the Post-Maurya Age

Ancience India Chapter 18 - Crafts, Trade and Towns in the Post-Maurya Age

Crafts, Trade and Towns in the Post-Maurya Age (c. 200 B.C.–A.D. 200)

Study Notes

Pointer / Question	Answer / Explanation
Which period was the most flourishing for crafts and commerce in ancient India?	Age of the Sakas, Kushans, Satavahanas and first Tamil states
What was the chronological span of this flourishing period?	c. 200 B.C.–A.D. 200
What developments characterized this period?	Remarkable growth of arts, crafts and commerce
How many occupations did the pre-Mauryan Digha Nikaya mention approximately?	About two dozen
Which text catalogued 36 kinds of workers living in Rajgir?	Mahavastu
Was the Mahavastu's list of workers exhaustive?	No
How many occupations did the Milinda Panho enumerate?	75
How many occupations in the Milinda Panho were connected with crafts?	60
What is another name for the Milinda Panho?	Questions of Milinda
Where were craftsmen mostly associated with in literary texts?	Towns
Did craftsmen also live in villages?	Yes; archaeological evidence confirms this
Where was a village settlement with separate occupational quarters excavated?	Karimnagar, Telangana
Which craftsmen lived in separate quarters at the Karimnagar village?	Carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and potters
Where did agricultural and other labourers live in that settlement?	At one end of the village
How many crafts were associated with working metals and precious materials?	Eight
Which eight materials were associated with these crafts?	Gold, silver, lead, tin, copper, brass, iron and precious stones/jewels
Which other materials are mentioned in connection with metallurgy?	Zinc, antimony and red arsenic
What did the variety of metals and materials indicate?	Advancement and specialization in mining and metallurgy
How did iron technology develop in the post-Maurya age?	It made great progress
Where were iron artefacts discovered in greater numbers?	Kushan and Satavahana archaeological layers
Which region of Andhra made particular progress in iron manufacture?	Telangana region
In which districts were numerous iron objects discovered?	Karimnagar and Nalgonda
Which iron objects were found in the Telangana region?	Weapons, balance rods, socketed axes, hoes, sickles, ploughshares, razors and ladles
Where was Indian iron and steel exported?	Abyssinian ports
How was Indian iron and steel, including cutlery, regarded in Western Asia?	It enjoyed great prestige
Which other crafts advanced during this period?	Cloth-making, silk-weaving, arms manufacture and luxury-article production
Which town was a major centre for manufacturing sataka cloth?	Mathura
What was sataka?	A special type of cloth
Which craft flourished in some South Indian towns?	Dyeing
Where was a brick-built dyeing vat discovered in Tamil Nadu?	Uraiyur, a suburb of Tiruchirapalli
Where else were similar dyeing vats excavated?	Arikamedu
To which period did the dyeing vats belong?	1st–3rd centuries A.D.
Which industry flourished at Uraiyur and Arikamedu during this period?	Handloom textile industry
What increased the manufacture of oil?	Use of the oil wheel
Which artisans appear in inscriptions as donors and constructors of Buddhist religious structures?	Weavers, goldsmiths, dyers, metalworkers, ivory workers, jewellers, sculptors, fishermen, smiths and perfumers
What did artisans donate to Buddhist monks?	Caves, pillars, tablets, cisterns and other religious facilities
What do artisans' donations suggest about their economic condition?	Crafts were flourishing
Which luxury handicrafts are specifically mentioned?	Ivory work, glass manufacture and bead cutting
Where have products of these crafts been found?	Kushan archaeological complexes
Where have Indian ivory objects been discovered outside India?	Afghanistan and Rome
Which Indian ivory objects were the foreign finds compared with?	Ivory objects excavated at Satavahana sites in the Deccan
Where have Roman glass objects been discovered?	Taxila and Afghanistan
When did glass-blowing knowledge reach India and attain its peak?	Around the beginning of the Christian era; it subsequently flourished
What evidence indicates the popularity of bead-making?	Large numbers of beads of semiprecious stones in post-Maurya layers
Why was coin-minting an important craft?	Numerous types of coins were produced
Which metals were used to make coins in this period?	Gold, silver, copper, bronze, lead and potin
What unusual coins did some craftsmen produce?	Fake Roman coins
Where have coin-moulds from this period been discovered?	North India and the Deccan
How many coins could one Satavahana-level coin-mould produce at a time?	Half a dozen (six)
Which other craft supplemented urban handicrafts?	Terracotta manufacture
Where have terracottas been found extensively?	Almost all Kushan and Satavahana sites
Which site yielded the largest number of terracottas and their moulds, according to the text?	Yelleshwaram, Nalgonda district
Where else were terracottas and their moulds discovered near Hyderabad?	Kondapur, about 65 km from Hyderabad
Who mainly used terracottas in this period?	Upper classes in towns
What happened to terracotta objects as towns declined?	They almost went out of fashion during Gupta and especially post-Gupta times
How were artisans organized?	Guilds
In which century did Buddhist lay devotees deposit money with artisan guilds in Maharashtra?	Second century A.D.
Which guilds received deposits from Buddhist lay devotees in Maharashtra?	Potters, oil millers and weavers
What were these guild deposits intended to provide?	Robes and other necessities for Buddhist monks
Who deposited money with the flour-makers' guild at Mathura?	A chief
What was the source of the Mathura chief's deposit?	Monthly income from the deposited money
How many Brahmanas were to be served daily from the Mathura guild's monthly income?	100
How many artisan guilds existed at least, according to different texts?	At least two dozen
Where were most artisans known from inscriptions concentrated?	Mathura region and western Deccan
Why were Mathura and the western Deccan important for artisans?	They lay on trade routes leading to western-coast ports
What was the most important economic development of the period?	Thriving trade between India and the eastern Roman Empire
How was India–Roman trade initially conducted to a considerable extent?	By land
Which movements disrupted overland trade from the 1st century B.C.?	Movements of the Sakas, Parthians and Kushans
What did the Parthians import from India?	Iron and steel
How did the Parthians affect India's trade farther west?	They created major obstacles
From which century was India–Roman trade conducted mainly by sea?	First century A.D.
What maritime development is associated with the beginning of the Christian era?	Discovery/use of the monsoons for sailing
How did knowledge of the monsoons benefit sailors?	They could sail directly between the eastern and western coasts of the Arabian Sea in less time
Which western-coast Indian ports are mentioned?	Broach and Sopara
Which eastern-coast Indian ports are mentioned?	Arikamedu and Tamralipti
Which port was considered the most important and flourishing?	Broach
What goods reached Broach?	Goods from the Satavahana, Saka and Kushan kingdoms
Where did the two Saka–Kushan routes from the north-western frontier converge?	Taxila
Which major international route was connected with the north-western trade routes?	Silk Road through Central Asia
What was the first route from Taxila toward the western coast?	Southward through the lower Indus basin to Broach
What was the second, more frequently used route called?	Uttarapatha
What was the route followed by the uttarapatha from Taxila?	Modern Punjab → western bank/side of the Yamuna → Mathura → Ujjain → Broach
Which river's course did the uttarapatha follow toward Mathura?	Yamuna
Which city lay between Mathura and Broach on the uttarapatha?	Ujjain
Which other route met at Ujjain?	Route from Kausambi near Allahabad
Did India–Rome trade mainly involve everyday necessities?	No; luxury goods dominated
Which region did the Romans first trade with in India?	Southernmost India
What evidence supports the early Roman connection with Tamil kingdoms?	Earliest Roman coin finds occurred in Tamil kingdoms outside Satavahana dominions
Which spices did Rome obtain from South India?	Indian spices; pepper was especially important
Which other Indian goods did the Romans import?	Muslin, pearls, jewels and precious stones
From which regions were muslin, pearls, jewels and precious stones imported?	Central and South India
Which manufactured Indian product was an important export to Rome?	Iron goods, especially cutlery
What was the transit-trade role of India in silk commerce?	Chinese/Central Asian goods could pass through India toward the eastern Roman Empire
By which route was Chinese silk sent directly to Rome?	Silk Road through northern Afghanistan and Iran
What obstructed silk traffic through Iran and neighbouring regions?	Establishment of Parthian rule
Where was silk diverted when the Iranian route became difficult?	Western Indian ports via the north-western subcontinent
By which other route could silk travel from China to India?	Via India's eastern coast
What kind of commerce developed in silk between India and Rome?	Considerable transit trade
Which Roman goods were imported into India besides other pottery?	Wine amphorae and various types of pottery
Where have Roman amphorae and pottery been discovered?	Tamluk, Arikamedu and several other sites in South India
How far did Roman traders sometimes travel into the subcontinent?	As far as Gauhati
What Roman import may have supplied lead for Satavahana coins?	Lead in the form of coiled strips
Were Roman goods found in large numbers in North India?	No
Which northern region traded with the eastern Roman Empire under the Kushans in the 2nd century A.D.?	North-western subcontinent
Which Roman conquest facilitated trade with the north-western subcontinent?	Conquest of Mesopotamia
When did Mesopotamia become a Roman province?	A.D. 115, according to the text
Which Roman emperor conquered Muscat and explored the Persian Gulf?	Trajan
Where did Roman objects reach as a result of trade and conquest?	Afghanistan and north-western India
Where was Begram located?	About 72 km north of Kabul
What foreign objects were discovered at Begram?	Large glass jars from Italy, Egypt and Syria; bowls, bronze stands, steel yards, weights, small Graeco-Roman bronze statues, jugs and alabaster vessels
Which modern site is identified with Taxila in the passage?	Sirkap in Pakistan's former North-West Frontier Province
What artistic evidence was found at Taxila?	Graeco-Roman bronze sculpture
Which other foreign objects were found at Taxila?	Silver ornaments, bronze pots, a jar and coins of Emperor Tiberius
Where was Arretine pottery commonly found?	South India
Where was Arretine pottery notably absent according to the text?	Central India, western India and Afghanistan
What does the distribution of Arretine pottery indicate?	Popular western goods were concentrated mainly south of the Vindhyas, in the Satavahana kingdom and farther south
Which kingdoms profited from trade with Rome?	Satavahana and Kushan kingdoms
Which kingdom apparently obtained the maximum profit from Roman trade?	Satavahana kingdom
What was the most significant Roman export to India?	Large numbers of gold and silver coins
Approximately how many finds of Roman coins are mentioned for the subcontinent?	About 85
Where were most Roman coin finds located?	South of the Vindhyas
Who complained that Roman trade with India drained Rome of gold?	Pliny
What was the title of Pliny's work, written in Latin?	Natural History
When did Pliny write Natural History?	A.D. 77
When were complaints about excessive expenditure on Eastern pepper already being heard?	A.D. 22
What Sanskrit term described Indian pepper as especially favoured by foreigners?	Yavanapriya
What does yavanapriya mean in this context?	Beloved of the Yavanas/Greeks or western foreigners
Which Indian product faced a reaction among Roman nobles because of its high cost?	Indian steel cutlery
How was the balance of trade between India and Rome?	Strongly in India's favour
What measures did Rome eventually take regarding Indian trade?	Steps to ban trade with India in pepper and steel goods
How were Roman gold coins valued in India?	For intrinsic gold value; possibly also used in large transactions
Which pre-Kushan rulers in North India issued a few gold coins?	Indo-Greek rulers
Which rulers issued gold coins in considerable numbers?	Kushans
Is it correct that all Kushan gold coins were minted from Roman gold?	No
How much gold tribute had India paid to the Iranian Empire by the 5th century B.C., according to the text?	320 talents
Where might the gold paid as tribute have been extracted?	Gold mines in Sindh
From which region did the Kushans probably obtain gold?	Central Asia
Which other Indian regions may have supplied gold to the Kushans?	Karnataka and Dhalbhum in south Bihar
What coin type did the Kushans issue following contact with Rome?	Dinar-type gold coins
Under which dynasty did dinar-type gold coins become abundant?	Guptas
Which coins were used for everyday transactions?	Lead, potin and copper coins
Where were lead and copper deposits found?	Andhra
Which coins did the Andhras issue in large numbers in the Deccan?	Lead and potin coins
Which coins were issued in the largest numbers by the Kushans in northern and north-western India?	Copper coins
Which indigenous dynasties used copper and bronze coins extensively?	Nagas, Yaudheyas and Mitras
Where did the Nagas rule?	Central India
Where did the Yaudheyas rule?	Eastern Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
Which places were ruled by the Mitras mentioned in the passage?	Kausambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichchhatra
Where was Ahichchhatra located?	Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh
How deeply did the money economy penetrate society during this period?	Deeply into the lives of ordinary townspeople and suburban residents
What supported the spread of the money economy?	Growth of crafts, arts and thriving Roman trade
What promoted the prosperity of towns in the post-Maurya period?	Growing crafts, commerce and increasing use of money
Which important North Indian towns are mentioned in literary texts?	Vaishali, Pataliputra, Varanasi, Kausambi, Sravasti, Hastinapur, Mathura and Indraprastha
Where is ancient Indraprastha identified in the passage?	Purana Qila, New Delhi
Which visitors also described some North Indian towns?	Chinese pilgrims
When did most towns flourish according to the archaeological evidence?	Kushan period, 1st–2nd centuries A.D.
What archaeological evidence indicates Kushan-period urban prosperity?	Better-built structures
Which Bihar sites witnessed prosperous Kushan phases?	Chirand, Sonpur and Buxar
Which eastern Uttar Pradesh site in Ghazipur district is mentioned?	Mason, as spelled in the supplied passage
Which Uttar Pradesh sites are mentioned as thriving in Kushan times?	Sohgaura, Bhita, Kausambi, Shringaverapur, Atranjikhera and several sites in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts
Where were substantial Kushan-period brick structures found?	Shringaverapur and Chirand
How many Kushan-phase levels were found at Sonkh in Mathura?	Seven
How many Gupta-phase levels were found at Sonkh?	One
Which Punjab sites had good Kushan structures?	Jullundar, Ludhiana and Ropar
What building material was often reused in poorly built Gupta-period structures?	Used Kushan bricks
What do material remains from the Kushan phase indicate?	Urbanization at its peak
Where else did this urban prosperity apply beyond Kushan territories?	Saka kingdom of Malwa and western India
Which was the most important town in the Saka kingdom of Malwa and western India?	Ujjain
Why was Ujjain an important trade centre?	Meeting point of routes from Kausambi and Mathura
What products made Ujjain important besides its route connections?	Agate and carnelian exports
Which stones were worked extensively at Ujjain for bead-making after 200 B.C.?	Agate, jasper and carnelian
Where was the raw material for Ujjain's stone industry obtained?	Trap bedrock in the bed of the Sipra River
When did towns also thrive in the Satavahana kingdom?	During the same broad period as under the Sakas and Kushans
Which prosperous western and southern Indian towns are associated with the Satavahanas?	Tagar (Ter), Paithan, Dhanyakataka, Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, Broach, Sopara, Arikamedu and Kaveripattanam
Where were several Satavahana settlements excavated?	Telangana
Which ancient source mentioned thirty walled towns of the Andhras?	Pliny
What is the possible connection between Pliny's thirty walled towns and Telangana?	Some excavated Satavahana settlements may correspond to them
When did Telangana's settlements originate relative to coastal Andhra's towns?	Earlier than towns in coastal Andhra
How did Telangana's urban origins compare with those in western Maharashtra?	Not much earlier than towns in western Maharashtra
When did urban decline generally begin in Maharashtra, Andhra and Tamil Nadu?	From the 3rd century A.D. onward
Why did towns prosper in the Kushan and Satavahana empires?	Thriving trade with the Roman Empire
Which regions participated in India's trade with the Roman Empire?	Eastern Roman Empire and Central Asia were both involved in wider commercial networks
Why did towns in Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh flourish?	Kushan political power was centred in north-western India
Where were most Kushan towns in India situated?	On the north-western/uttarapatha route between Mathura and Taxila
How did the Kushan Empire help towns?	It ensured security along trade routes
What effect did the end of Kushan power in the 3rd century A.D. have?	It dealt a major blow to towns along its trade routes
What happened to Deccan urban centres after the Satavahana phase?	Archaeological evidence suggests decline
How did the Roman trade ban affect Indian towns from the 3rd century A.D.?	They lost trade support and could no longer sustain many artisans and merchants
What overall relationship existed between crafts, commerce and urbanization?	Craft growth and trade promoted urban prosperity; disruption of trade contributed to urban decline

MCQs

1 Which period is described as the most flourishing age of crafts and commerce in ancient India?

1. Maurya age only
2. Age of the Sakas, Kushans, Satavahanas and first Tamil states
3. Gupta age only
4. Post-Gupta age

1. 1. Maurya age only ❌
2. 2. Age of the Sakas, Kushans, Satavahanas and first Tamil states ✅ The period c. 200 B.C.–A.D. 200 saw remarkable growth in arts, crafts and commerce.
3. 3. Gupta age only ❌
4. 4. Post-Gupta age ❌

2 Consider the following statements about occupational lists in ancient texts:
1. The Digha Nikaya mentioned about two dozen occupations.
2. The Mahavastu listed 36 kinds of workers at Rajgir, and its list was exhaustive.
3. The Milinda Panho enumerated 75 occupations, 60 connected with crafts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1. 1 only ❌
2. 2. 1 and 2 only ❌ The Mahavastu's list was explicitly not exhaustive.
3. 3. 1 and 3 only ✅ The Digha Nikaya listed about two dozen occupations; the Milinda Panho listed 75, including 60 craft-related occupations.
4. 4. 1, 2 and 3 ❌

3 Which of the following correctly describes the Karimnagar village settlement?

1. Only merchants lived there
2. All artisans lived together in one building
3. Craftsmen occupied separate quarters, while labourers lived at one end
4. No evidence of occupational specialization was found

1. 1. Only merchants lived there ❌
2. 2. All artisans lived together in one building ❌
3. 3. Craftsmen occupied separate quarters, while labourers lived at one end ✅ Carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and potters occupied separate quarters at the Telangana settlement.
4. 4. No evidence of occupational specialization was found ❌

4 Which set contains the eight materials associated with specialized crafts mentioned in the chapter?

1. Gold, silver, zinc, antimony, wood, ivory, glass and clay
2. Gold, silver, lead, tin, copper, brass, iron and precious stones
3. Gold, silver, mercury, coal, iron, wood, tin and glass
4. Gold, lead, bronze, coal, ivory, cotton, silk and copper

1. 1. Gold, silver, zinc, antimony, wood, ivory, glass and clay ❌
2. 2. Gold, silver, lead, tin, copper, brass, iron and precious stones ✅ These are the eight materials listed in the passage.
3. 3. Gold, silver, mercury, coal, iron, wood, tin and glass ❌
4. 4. Gold, lead, bronze, coal, ivory, cotton, silk and copper ❌

5 Which additional materials are mentioned in connection with post-Maurya metallurgy?

1. Mercury, coal and platinum
2. Zinc, antimony and red arsenic
3. Aluminium, nickel and cobalt
4. Uranium, chromium and manganese

1. 1. Mercury, coal and platinum ❌
2. 2. Zinc, antimony and red arsenic ✅ The text uses these materials as evidence of advances in mining and metallurgy.
3. 3. Aluminium, nickel and cobalt ❌
4. 4. Uranium, chromium and manganese ❌

6 Which region is singled out for particular progress in iron manufacture?

1. Malwa
2. Gandhara
3. Telangana region of Andhra
4. Kashmir

1. 1. Malwa ❌
2. 2. Gandhara ❌
3. 3. Telangana region of Andhra ✅ The chapter highlights the Karimnagar and Nalgonda districts for numerous iron objects.
4. 4. Kashmir ❌

7 Which of the following iron objects were found in the Karimnagar and Nalgonda districts?

1. Socketed axes and hoes
2. Sickles and ploughshares
3. Razors and ladles
4. All of the above

1. 1. Socketed axes and hoes ❌
2. 2. Sickles and ploughshares ❌
3. 3. Razors and ladles ❌
4. 4. All of the above ✅ The excavated objects included weapons, balance rods, axes, agricultural implements, razors and ladles.

8 Indian iron and steel, including cutlery, was exported to which ports and enjoyed prestige in which region?

1. Roman ports; East Asia
2. Abyssinian ports; Western Asia
3. Chinese ports; Central Asia
4. Egyptian ports; Eastern Europe

1. 1. Roman ports; East Asia ❌
2. 2. Abyssinian ports; Western Asia ✅ The passage specifically mentions exports to Abyssinian ports and high prestige in Western Asia.
3. 3. Chinese ports; Central Asia ❌
4. 4. Egyptian ports; Eastern Europe ❌

9 Mathura was a major centre for manufacturing which special type of cloth?

1. Muslin
2. Calico
3. Sataka
4. Arretine

1. 1. Muslin ❌ Muslin was an important export, but the special cloth associated with Mathura was sataka.
2. 2. Calico ❌
3. 3. Sataka ✅ The chapter identifies Mathura as a major centre for this special type of cloth.
4. 4. Arretine ❌ Arretine refers to pottery, not the cloth mentioned.

10 Where were brick-built dyeing vats discovered?

1. Taxila and Mathura
2. Uraiyur and Arikamedu
3. Broach and Sopara
4. Chirand and Sonpur

1. 1. Taxila and Mathura ❌
2. 2. Uraiyur and Arikamedu ✅ The vats belonged to the 1st–3rd centuries A.D., when the handloom textile industry flourished there.
3. 3. Broach and Sopara ❌ These are important ports mentioned in the chapter.
4. 4. Chirand and Sonpur ❌ These are archaeological settlements associated with urban prosperity.

11 What contributed to the increased manufacture of oil?

1. Introduction of the water mill
2. Decline of agriculture
3. Use of the oil wheel
4. Roman prohibition of oil imports

1. 1. Introduction of the water mill ❌
2. 2. Decline of agriculture ❌
3. 3. Use of the oil wheel ✅ The chapter directly connects the growth of oil manufacture with the oil wheel.
4. 4. Roman prohibition of oil imports ❌

12 Which of the following groups is correctly associated with inscriptions recording donations to Buddhist establishments?

1. Only kings and generals
2. Only agricultural labourers
3. Only merchants and foreign ambassadors
4. Weavers, goldsmiths, dyers, metalworkers, jewellers, sculptors and other artisans

1. 1. Only kings and generals ❌
2. 2. Only agricultural labourers ❌
3. 3. Only merchants and foreign ambassadors ❌
4. 4. Weavers, goldsmiths, dyers, metalworkers, jewellers, sculptors and other artisans ✅ Inscriptions also mention ivory workers, fishermen, smiths and perfumers donating religious structures and facilities.

13 Which luxury crafts are specifically mentioned in the chapter?

1. Shipbuilding, paper-making and printing
2. Ivory work, glass manufacture and bead cutting
3. Porcelain manufacture, gun-making and watchmaking
4. Silk printing, carpet weaving and sugar refining

1. 1. Shipbuilding, paper-making and printing ❌
2. 2. Ivory work, glass manufacture and bead cutting ✅ These luxury handicrafts are supported by finds from Kushan complexes.
3. 3. Porcelain manufacture, gun-making and watchmaking ❌
4. 4. Silk printing, carpet weaving and sugar refining ❌

14 Which statement about glass and ivory objects is correct according to the chapter?

1. Indian ivory was found only in India
2. Roman glass was found only in South India
3. Indian ivory was found in Afghanistan and Rome, while Roman glass objects were found at Taxila and in Afghanistan
4. Glass-blowing was unknown in India throughout the ancient period

1. 1. Indian ivory was found only in India ❌ Finds are reported from Afghanistan and Rome.
2. 2. Roman glass was found only in South India ❌ The text mentions Taxila and Afghanistan.
3. 3. Indian ivory was found in Afghanistan and Rome, while Roman glass objects were found at Taxila and in Afghanistan ✅ This matches the archaeological evidence cited.
4. 4. Glass-blowing was unknown in India throughout the ancient period ❌ The knowledge reached India around the beginning of the Christian era.

15 What does a coin-mould from a Satavahana archaeological level demonstrate?

1. It produced only one gold coin per day
2. It was used exclusively for Roman coins
3. It could produce approximately six coins at a time
4. It was used only for making terracotta figures

1. 1. It produced only one gold coin per day ❌
2. 2. It was used exclusively for Roman coins ❌
3. 3. It could produce approximately six coins at a time ✅ The passage says a Satavahana-level mould could turn out half a dozen coins simultaneously.
4. 4. It was used only for making terracotta figures ❌

16 Which site yielded the largest number of terracottas and their moulds according to the chapter?

1. Kondapur
2. Arikamedu
3. Yelleshwaram
4. Taxila

1. 1. Kondapur ❌ Terracottas and moulds were found there too, about 65 km from Hyderabad.
2. 2. Arikamedu ❌ The site is noted for dyeing vats and other archaeological finds.
3. 3. Yelleshwaram ✅ The text identifies Yelleshwaram in Nalgonda district as having the largest number of terracottas and moulds.
4. 4. Taxila ❌

17 Who mainly used terracottas during the post-Maurya period?

1. Only rural agricultural labourers
2. Only Buddhist monks
3. Upper classes in towns
4. Only foreign traders

1. 1. Only rural agricultural labourers ❌
2. 2. Only Buddhist monks ❌
3. 3. Upper classes in towns ✅ The chapter states that terracottas were mainly intended for urban upper-class use.
4. 4. Only foreign traders ❌

18 Which statement correctly describes artisan guilds in the post-Maurya period?

1. Artisans were forbidden to form associations
2. Guilds existed only in the Gupta period
3. Artisans were organized into guilds, numbering at least two dozen according to the texts
4. Guilds dealt exclusively with foreign trade

1. 1. Artisans were forbidden to form associations ❌
2. 2. Guilds existed only in the Gupta period ❌
3. 3. Artisans were organized into guilds, numbering at least two dozen according to the texts ✅ Guilds were important economic institutions in this period.
4. 4. Guilds dealt exclusively with foreign trade ❌

19 In second-century A.D. Maharashtra, Buddhist lay devotees deposited money with which guilds?

1. Shipbuilders, miners and soldiers
2. Potters, oil millers and weavers
3. Gold miners, farmers and royal officials
4. Horse traders, salt merchants and tax collectors

1. 1. Shipbuilders, miners and soldiers ❌
2. 2. Potters, oil millers and weavers ✅ The income was intended to provide robes and other necessities to Buddhist monks.
3. 3. Gold miners, farmers and royal officials ❌
4. 4. Horse traders, salt merchants and tax collectors ❌

20 A chief deposited money with the flour-makers' guild at Mathura. What was the intended use of the monthly income?

1. Maintaining the royal army
2. Constructing a port
3. Financing foreign voyages
4. Serving 100 Brahmanas daily

1. 1. Maintaining the royal army ❌
2. 2. Constructing a port ❌
3. 3. Financing foreign voyages ❌
4. 4. Serving 100 Brahmanas daily ✅ The monthly income generated by the chief's deposit was assigned this purpose.

21 Which regions were associated with most artisans known from inscriptions?

1. Eastern Bengal and Assam
2. Mathura region and western Deccan
3. Kashmir and Nepal
4. Kerala and Sri Lanka only

1. 1. Eastern Bengal and Assam ❌
2. 2. Mathura region and western Deccan ✅ Both lay on trade routes connected with ports on India's western coast.
3. 3. Kashmir and Nepal ❌
4. 4. Kerala and Sri Lanka only ❌

22 What was the most important economic development of the post-Maurya period according to the chapter?

1. Complete disappearance of inland trade
2. Decline of all metalworking crafts
3. Thriving trade between India and the eastern Roman Empire
4. Replacement of coins by barter throughout India

1. 1. Complete disappearance of inland trade ❌
2. 2. Decline of all metalworking crafts ❌
3. 3. Thriving trade between India and the eastern Roman Empire ✅ The chapter identifies this commerce as the period's most important economic development.
4. 4. Replacement of coins by barter throughout India ❌ Money use increased substantially.

23 Which groups disrupted India's overland trade routes from the first century B.C.?

1. Guptas, Vakatakas and Pallavas
2. Sakas, Parthians and Kushans
3. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas
4. Nagas, Mitras and Yaudheyas

1. 1. Guptas, Vakatakas and Pallavas ❌
2. 2. Sakas, Parthians and Kushans ✅ Their movements disrupted land trade, contributing to the shift toward maritime commerce.
3. 3. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas ❌
4. 4. Nagas, Mitras and Yaudheyas ❌

24 From which century was trade between India and Rome conducted mainly by sea?

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

1. 1. Third century B.C. ❌
2. 2. Second century B.C. ❌
3. 3. First century A.D. ✅ The text links the shift to maritime trade with the use of monsoon knowledge.
4. 4. Fourth century A.D. ❌

25 Which of the following pairs of Indian ports and coasts is correctly matched?

1. Broach—eastern coast; Tamralipti—western coast
2. Broach and Sopara—western coast; Arikamedu and Tamralipti—eastern coast
3. Taxila and Mathura—eastern coast
4. Ujjain and Kausambi—western coastal ports

1. 1. Broach—eastern coast; Tamralipti—western coast ❌ The coasts are reversed.
2. 2. Broach and Sopara—western coast; Arikamedu and Tamralipti—eastern coast ✅ These are the port locations given in the passage.
3. 3. Taxila and Mathura—eastern coast ❌ Both were inland centres.
4. 4. Ujjain and Kausambi—western coastal ports ❌ They were inland trade-route centres.

26 Which port is identified as the most important and flourishing among the ports listed?

1. Sopara
2. Tamralipti
3. Broach
4. Arikamedu

1. 1. Sopara ❌
2. 2. Tamralipti ❌
3. 3. Broach ✅ It received commodities from the Satavahana, Saka and Kushan kingdoms.
4. 4. Arikamedu ❌

27 Which statement about the two trade routes connecting the north-western frontier with the western coast is correct?

1. Both routes began at Pataliputra and ended at Tamralipti
2. The two routes never met at any place
3. Both converged at Taxila and connected with the Silk Road through Central Asia
4. The uttarapatha connected only Tamil ports

1. 1. Both routes began at Pataliputra and ended at Tamralipti ❌
2. 2. The two routes never met at any place ❌ They converged at Taxila.
3. 3. Both converged at Taxila and connected with the Silk Road through Central Asia ✅ The routes linked north-western India with western-coast commerce and wider Asian trade.
4. 4. The uttarapatha connected only Tamil ports ❌ It connected Taxila, Punjab, Mathura, Ujjain and Broach.

28 Which was the more frequently used of the two north-western trade routes described?

1. The lower Indus route
2. Uttarapatha
3. The coastal route to Sri Lanka
4. The route through the eastern Himalayas

1. 1. The lower Indus route ❌
2. 2. Uttarapatha ✅ It ran from Taxila through the Punjab region toward Mathura, Ujjain and Broach.
3. 3. The coastal route to Sri Lanka ❌
4. 4. The route through the eastern Himalayas ❌

29 Which route sequence correctly describes the uttarapatha in the passage?

1. Taxila → lower Indus basin → Broach directly
2. Mathura → Kausambi → Taxila → Tamralipti
3. Taxila → Punjab → Yamuna region → Mathura → Ujjain → Broach
4. Broach → Ujjain → Madurai → Taxila

1. 1. Taxila → lower Indus basin → Broach directly ❌ This describes the other route in the text.
2. 2. Mathura → Kausambi → Taxila → Tamralipti ❌
3. 3. Taxila → Punjab → Yamuna region → Mathura → Ujjain → Broach ✅ This is the more frequently used uttarapatha route described in the chapter.
4. 4. Broach → Ujjain → Madurai → Taxila ❌

30 Which statement best describes the nature of India–Roman trade?

1. It consisted almost entirely of daily necessities
2. It involved only agricultural produce
3. It mainly involved luxury goods rather than everyday necessities
4. It was limited to military equipment

1. 1. It consisted almost entirely of daily necessities ❌
2. 2. It involved only agricultural produce ❌
3. 3. It mainly involved luxury goods rather than everyday necessities ✅ Spices, muslin, pearls, jewels and precious stones were important exports.
4. 4. It was limited to military equipment ❌

31 Why did the Romans initially establish trade with the southernmost part of India?

1. Because the Kushans controlled all Tamil ports
2. Because the earliest Roman coin finds occurred in Tamil kingdoms outside Satavahana dominions
3. Because no ports existed in western India
4. Because Roman trade was prohibited in South India

1. 1. Because the Kushans controlled all Tamil ports ❌
2. 2. Because the earliest Roman coin finds occurred in Tamil kingdoms outside Satavahana dominions ✅ The coin distribution supports the chapter's account of the early trading connection.
3. 3. Because no ports existed in western India ❌
4. 4. Because Roman trade was prohibited in South India ❌

32 Which of the following was an important export from India to Rome?

1. Only Roman pottery
2. Only lead and copper ores
3. Spices, muslin, pearls, jewels, precious stones and iron goods
4. Only horses and military equipment

1. 1. Only Roman pottery ❌ Pottery was among the imports from Rome.
2. 2. Only lead and copper ores ❌
3. 3. Spices, muslin, pearls, jewels, precious stones and iron goods ✅ These goods formed important parts of Indian exports.
4. 4. Only horses and military equipment ❌

33 Which of the following goods did Rome export to India according to the passage?

1. Sataka cloth and Indian pepper
2. Indian iron cutlery and muslin
3. Wine amphorae and various types of pottery
4. Agate and carnelian beads exclusively

1. 1. Sataka cloth and Indian pepper ❌ These are associated with Indian products.
2. 2. Indian iron cutlery and muslin ❌ These were important Indian exports.
3. 3. Wine amphorae and various types of pottery ✅ Roman pottery has been found at Tamluk, Arikamedu and other southern Indian sites.
4. 4. Agate and carnelian beads exclusively ❌

34 Why was Chinese silk sometimes diverted to western Indian ports?

1. Because the Roman Empire banned silk imports from China
2. Because the Silk Road had no connection with Iran
3. Because Parthian rule in Iran and neighbouring regions created difficulties along the direct route
4. Because silk could not be transported by land

1. 1. Because the Roman Empire banned silk imports from China ❌
2. 2. Because the Silk Road had no connection with Iran ❌ The direct route passed through Iran.
3. 3. Because Parthian rule in Iran and neighbouring regions created difficulties along the direct route ✅ Silk could instead pass through north-western India or India's eastern coast before travelling west.
4. 4. Because silk could not be transported by land ❌ Silk was sent directly through the Silk Road as well.

35 Which statement about Roman trade with north-western India is correct?

1. Roman objects were found only in Tamil Nadu
2. The north-western subcontinent traded with the eastern Roman Empire under the Kushans in the second century A.D.
3. Roman trade with the north-west ended before the Kushans appeared
4. Roman goods never reached Afghanistan

1. 1. Roman objects were found only in Tamil Nadu ❌ Roman objects were also discovered at Begram and Taxila.
2. 2. The north-western subcontinent traded with the eastern Roman Empire under the Kushans in the second century A.D. ✅ The chapter links this trade to Roman expansion into Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf region.
3. 3. Roman trade with the north-west ended before the Kushans appeared ❌
4. 4. Roman goods never reached Afghanistan ❌ Finds at Begram demonstrate otherwise.

36 In which year did Mesopotamia become a Roman province according to the chapter?

1. A.D. 22
2. A.D. 77
3. A.D. 115
4. A.D. 200

1. 1. A.D. 22 ❌ This year is associated with complaints about excessive spending on Eastern pepper.
2. 2. A.D. 77 ❌ Pliny wrote Natural History in this year.
3. 3. A.D. 115 ✅ The text states that Mesopotamia became a Roman province in A.D. 115.
4. 4. A.D. 200 ❌

37 Who was the Roman emperor associated with conquering Muscat and exploring the Persian Gulf?

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

1. 1. Tiberius ❌ Coins of Tiberius were found at Taxila.
2. 2. Nero ❌
3. 3. Trajan ✅ The chapter links Trajan's conquests and exploration to the wider reach of Roman trade.
4. 4. Augustus ❌

38 Begram, where numerous foreign objects were discovered, is located approximately how far north of Kabul?

1. 12 km
2. 32 km
3. 72 km
4. 172 km

1. 1. 12 km ❌
2. 2. 32 km ❌
3. 3. 72 km ✅ The passage places Begram about 72 km north of Kabul.
4. 4. 172 km ❌

39 Which of the following was found at Begram?

1. Only Indian terracotta moulds
2. Only Satavahana lead coins
3. Glass jars from Italy, Egypt and Syria, along with other foreign objects
4. Only Chinese silk textiles

1. 1. Only Indian terracotta moulds ❌
2. 2. Only Satavahana lead coins ❌
3. 3. Glass jars from Italy, Egypt and Syria, along with other foreign objects ✅ Finds included bowls, bronze stands, weights, steel yards, small Graeco-Roman statues and alabaster vessels.
4. 4. Only Chinese silk textiles ❌

40 Which Roman emperor's coins were discovered at Taxila according to the passage?

1. Trajan
2. Tiberius
3. Pliny
4. Hadrian

1. 1. Trajan ❌ He is mentioned in connection with Mesopotamia, Muscat and the Persian Gulf.
2. 2. Tiberius ✅ Taxila yielded coins of Tiberius, along with silver ornaments and bronze vessels.
3. 3. Pliny ❌ Pliny was a Roman writer.
4. 4. Hadrian ❌

41 Arretine pottery was commonly found in which region?

1. Central Asia only
2. Afghanistan only
3. North India only
4. South India

1. 1. Central Asia only ❌
2. 2. Afghanistan only ❌
3. 3. North India only ❌
4. 4. South India ✅ The passage notes that Arretine pottery was common in South India but absent from central and western India and Afghanistan.

42 Which kingdom appears to have obtained the maximum profit from trade with the Roman Empire?

1. Kushan kingdom
2. Saka kingdom
3. Satavahana kingdom
4. Naga kingdom

1. 1. Kushan kingdom ❌ The Kushans also profited from trade.
2. 2. Saka kingdom ❌
3. 3. Satavahana kingdom ✅ The author states that the maximum profit seems to have accrued to the Satavahanas.
4. 4. Naga kingdom ❌

43 What was the most significant Roman export to India according to the chapter?

1. Wine amphorae only
2. Arretine pottery only
3. Large numbers of gold and silver coins
4. Steel weapons only

1. 1. Wine amphorae only ❌ These were imported but were not identified as the most significant export.
2. 2. Arretine pottery only ❌
3. 3. Large numbers of gold and silver coins ✅ The chapter describes the coins as the most significant Roman export to India.
4. 4. Steel weapons only ❌ Steel goods were an important Indian export to Rome.

44 Approximately how many finds of Roman coins are mentioned for the whole Indian subcontinent?

1. 15
2. 45
3. 85
4. 185

1. 1. 15 ❌
2. 2. 45 ❌
3. 3. 85 ✅ The text reports about 85 finds, most from south of the Vindhyas.
4. 4. 185 ❌

45 Who complained that trade with India was draining Rome of gold?

1. Trajan
2. Pliny
3. Tiberius
4. Strabo

1. 1. Trajan ❌
2. 2. Pliny ✅ In Natural History, written in Latin in A.D. 77, Pliny complained about the outflow of Roman gold.
3. 3. Tiberius ❌
4. 4. Strabo ❌

46 The Sanskrit term yavanapriya referred to which Indian product?

1. Muslin
2. Silk
3. Pepper
4. Ivory

1. 1. Muslin ❌
2. 2. Silk ❌
3. 3. Pepper ✅ The term described Indian pepper as beloved by the Yavanas or western foreigners.
4. 4. Ivory ❌

47 What did the chapter state about Rome's response to the balance of trade with India?

1. Rome stopped importing all Asian goods immediately in 200 B.C.
2. Rome banned all trade with China but encouraged Indian pepper
3. Rome eventually took steps to ban trade with India in pepper and steel goods
4. Rome began exporting large quantities of gold to India to correct the balance

1. 1. Rome stopped importing all Asian goods immediately in 200 B.C. ❌
2. 2. Rome banned all trade with China but encouraged Indian pepper ❌
3. 3. Rome eventually took steps to ban trade with India in pepper and steel goods ✅ The balance of trade strongly favoured India, and the high cost of imports provoked complaints.
4. 4. Rome began exporting large quantities of gold to India to correct the balance ❌ Gold and silver coin exports contributed to Roman complaints.

48 Which statement about Kushan gold coins is correct?

1. All were minted exclusively from Roman gold
2. Kushans never issued gold coins
3. Kushans issued gold coins in considerable numbers, but not all were minted from Roman gold
4. They were used exclusively for everyday small purchases

1. 1. All were minted exclusively from Roman gold ❌ The chapter explicitly rejects this idea.
2. 2. Kushans never issued gold coins ❌
3. 3. Kushans issued gold coins in considerable numbers, but not all were minted from Roman gold ✅ Possible gold sources included Central Asia, Karnataka and Dhalbhum in south Bihar.
4. 4. They were used exclusively for everyday small purchases ❌ Daily transactions generally used lead, potin or copper coins.

49 How much gold tribute had India paid to the Iranian Empire as early as the fifth century B.C., according to the text?

1. 32 talents
2. 120 talents
3. 320 talents
4. 520 talents

1. 1. 32 talents ❌
2. 2. 120 talents ❌
3. 3. 320 talents ✅ The passage uses this example to show that gold in India did not originate exclusively from Roman trade.
4. 4. 520 talents ❌

50 Which statement correctly describes coin use in the post-Maurya period?

1. Gold coins were the only coins used for daily transactions
2. The Andhras issued only gold coins
3. Lead, potin and copper coins were commonly used in everyday transactions
4. The Kushans issued only silver coins

1. 1. Gold coins were the only coins used for daily transactions ❌ The passage says everyday transactions were generally conducted with lower-value metal coins.
2. 2. The Andhras issued only gold coins ❌ They issued many lead and potin coins.
3. 3. Lead, potin and copper coins were commonly used in everyday transactions ✅ Gold coins were more suited to intrinsic value and potentially large transactions.
4. 4. The Kushans issued only silver coins ❌ They issued large numbers of copper coins as well as gold coins.

51 Which indigenous dynasties used copper and bronze coins in large quantities?

1. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas only
2. Nagas, Yaudheyas and Mitras
3. Palas, Senas and Gurjara-Pratiharas
4. Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas

1. 1. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas only ❌
2. 2. Nagas, Yaudheyas and Mitras ✅ The passage gives their respective territories in central India, eastern Rajasthan and adjoining areas, and several north Indian towns.
3. 3. Palas, Senas and Gurjara-Pratiharas ❌
4. 4. Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas ❌

52 Which statement about the money economy during the post-Maurya age is correct?

1. Money use was confined to royal palaces
2. Barter entirely replaced coins in towns
3. The money economy penetrated deeply into the lives of ordinary townspeople and suburban residents
4. Money was used only in international trade

1. 1. Money use was confined to royal palaces ❌
2. 2. Barter entirely replaced coins in towns ❌
3. 3. The money economy penetrated deeply into the lives of ordinary townspeople and suburban residents ✅ The chapter connects this development with expanding crafts and thriving foreign trade.
4. 4. Money was used only in international trade ❌

53 Which of the following is NOT one of the North Indian towns listed in the chapter?

1. Vaishali
2. Kausambi
3. Hastinapur
4. Arikamedu

1. 1. Vaishali ❌ It is listed among the important North Indian towns.
2. 2. Kausambi ❌ It is listed among the important North Indian towns.
3. 3. Hastinapur ❌ It is listed among the important North Indian towns.
4. 4. Arikamedu ✅ Arikamedu is mentioned as a port and settlement in South India.

54 Ancient Indraprastha is identified in the chapter with which modern location?

1. Red Fort, Delhi
2. Agra Fort, Agra
3. Purana Qila, New Delhi
4. Sarnath, Varanasi

1. 1. Red Fort, Delhi ❌
2. 2. Agra Fort, Agra ❌
3. 3. Purana Qila, New Delhi ✅ The passage identifies Indraprastha with Purana Qila.
4. 4. Sarnath, Varanasi ❌

55 When did most towns flourish according to the archaeological evidence discussed in the chapter?

1. Sixth century B.C.
2. Maurya period only
3. Kushan period, especially the first and second centuries A.D.
4. Post-Gupta period only

1. 1. Sixth century B.C. ❌
2. 2. Maurya period only ❌
3. 3. Kushan period, especially the first and second centuries A.D. ✅ Excavations revealed better-built structures and extensive urban activity in this period.
4. 4. Post-Gupta period only ❌ The chapter describes decline in towns during later periods.

56 Which set contains the Bihar sites mentioned as having prosperous Kushan phases?

1. Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and Nalanda only
2. Chirand, Sonpur and Buxar
3. Vaishali, Purnia and Darbhanga only
4. Patna, Gaya and Bhagalpur only

1. 1. Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and Nalanda only ❌
2. 2. Chirand, Sonpur and Buxar ✅ The text specifically names these sites in Bihar.
3. 3. Vaishali, Purnia and Darbhanga only ❌
4. 4. Patna, Gaya and Bhagalpur only ❌

57 How many Kushan-phase levels were found at Sonkh in Mathura, and how many Gupta-phase levels were found there?

1. One Kushan and seven Gupta
2. Five Kushan and five Gupta
3. Seven Kushan and one Gupta
4. Ten Kushan and two Gupta

1. 1. One Kushan and seven Gupta ❌
2. 2. Five Kushan and five Gupta ❌
3. 3. Seven Kushan and one Gupta ✅ This contrast is used as evidence of the intensity of Kushan-period urban activity at the site.
4. 4. Ten Kushan and two Gupta ❌

58 Why was Ujjain an important commercial town in the post-Maurya period?

1. It was the main Roman imperial capital in India
2. It was the only producer of iron in India
3. It was a meeting point of routes from Kausambi and Mathura and exported agate and carnelian
4. It controlled all ports on the eastern coast

1. 1. It was the main Roman imperial capital in India ❌
2. 2. It was the only producer of iron in India ❌
3. 3. It was a meeting point of routes from Kausambi and Mathura and exported agate and carnelian ✅ Its location and stone-working industry contributed to its importance.
4. 4. It controlled all ports on the eastern coast ❌

59 Which raw-material source supported large-scale agate, jasper and carnelian bead production at Ujjain?

1. Himalayan glaciers
2. Coastal coral reefs
3. Trap bedrock in the bed of the Sipra River
4. Gold mines in Sindh

1. 1. Himalayan glaciers ❌
2. 2. Coastal coral reefs ❌
3. 3. Trap bedrock in the bed of the Sipra River ✅ The abundance of stone in this geological setting supported bead-making after 200 B.C.
4. 4. Gold mines in Sindh ❌ These are mentioned as a possible source of gold, not bead-making stone.

60 Which of the following was a prosperous town in the Satavahana period?

1. Tagar (Ter)
2. Paithan
3. Nagarjunakonda
4. All of the above

1. 1. Tagar (Ter) ❌ This was a prosperous town, but it is not the only correct option.
2. 2. Paithan ❌ This was also a prosperous town.
3. 3. Nagarjunakonda ❌ This was also a prosperous town.
4. 4. All of the above ✅ The passage also mentions Dhanyakataka, Amaravati, Broach, Sopara, Arikamedu and Kaveripattanam.

61 Which ancient writer mentioned thirty walled towns of the Andhras?

1. Pliny
2. Pliny
3. Pliny the Younger
4. Plutarch

1. 1. Pliny ❌ This option duplicates the correct name; the question is flawed as written.
2. 2. Pliny ✅ The passage says some excavated Satavahana settlements may correspond to the thirty walled towns of the Andhras mentioned by Pliny.
3. 3. Pliny the Younger ❌ The chapter specifically names Pliny, without identifying him as Pliny the Younger.
4. 4. Plutarch ❌

62 When did urban decline generally begin in Maharashtra, Andhra and Tamil Nadu?

1. First century B.C.
2. First century A.D.
3. Third century A.D. onward
4. Seventh century A.D. onward

1. 1. First century B.C. ❌
2. 2. First century A.D. ❌ This was part of the period of commercial and urban prosperity.
3. 3. Third century A.D. onward ✅ The passage places the general decline of towns in these regions from the third century A.D.
4. 4. Seventh century A.D. onward ❌

63 Which combination best explains the prosperity of Kushan and Satavahana towns?

1. Declining craft production and the disappearance of coinage
2. Isolation from foreign markets
3. Thriving Roman trade, growing crafts and secure trade routes
4. Complete dependence on subsistence agriculture

1. 1. Declining craft production and the disappearance of coinage ❌
2. 2. Isolation from foreign markets ❌
3. 3. Thriving Roman trade, growing crafts and secure trade routes ✅ Commercial networks and political security supported urban prosperity.
4. 4. Complete dependence on subsistence agriculture ❌

64 Why did towns in Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh flourish during the Kushan period?

1. They were outside all international trade routes
2. They were the only regions where terracotta was made
3. The centre of Kushan power lay in north-western India, and many towns stood on the Mathura–Taxila route
4. They were major producers of Roman amphorae

1. 1. They were outside all international trade routes ❌
2. 2. They were the only regions where terracotta was made ❌
3. 3. The centre of Kushan power lay in north-western India, and many towns stood on the Mathura–Taxila route ✅ Political security and trade connectivity supported these towns.
4. 4. They were major producers of Roman amphorae ❌

65 Which developments contributed to the decline of towns from the third century A.D.?

1. Expansion of Roman trade and stronger route security
2. Increased demand for Indian steel in Rome
3. The end of Kushan power and the Roman trade ban described in the text
4. Expansion of terracotta consumption by urban elites

1. 1. Expansion of Roman trade and stronger route security ❌ These factors had supported urban prosperity.
2. 2. Increased demand for Indian steel in Rome ❌ This had supported trade earlier.
3. 3. The end of Kushan power and the Roman trade ban described in the text ✅ The resulting disruption weakened trade and the ability of towns to sustain artisans and merchants.
4. 4. Expansion of terracotta consumption by urban elites ❌ The chapter instead notes that terracottas declined in popularity in later periods.

66 Consider the following statements about craft production and trade in the post-Maurya period:
1. The oil wheel contributed to increased oil manufacture.
2. Terracotta figures were mainly intended for upper classes in towns.
3. The growth of crafts and commerce contributed to the prosperity of towns.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1. 1 only ❌
2. 2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three points are explicitly supported by the chapter.

67 Which statements about coinage are correct?
1. The Andhras issued large numbers of lead or potin coins in the Deccan.
2. The Kushans issued the largest number of copper coins in northern and north-western India.
3. Dinar-type gold coins became abundant under the Guptas.
Choose the correct answer.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1. 1 only ❌
2. 2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three statements match the passage's account of post-Maurya coinage.

68 Which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?

1. Mathura — sataka cloth
2. Uraiyur — dyeing vat
3. Yelleshwaram — terracotta moulds
4. Ujjain — largest number of Roman coin finds in the subcontinent

1. 1. Mathura — sataka cloth ❌ Correctly matched.
2. 2. Uraiyur — dyeing vat ❌ Correctly matched.
3. 3. Yelleshwaram — terracotta moulds ❌ Correctly matched.
4. 4. Ujjain — largest number of Roman coin finds in the subcontinent ✅ Incorrectly matched. The text says most Roman coin finds came from south of the Vindhyas, without identifying Ujjain as the site with the largest number.

69 Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

1. Nagas — eastern Rajasthan and adjoining Punjab
2. Yaudheyas — Kausambi, Mathura and Ahichchhatra
3. Mitras — Kausambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichchhatra
4. Kushans — only lead coins in north-western India

1. 1. Nagas — eastern Rajasthan and adjoining Punjab ❌ The Nagas are associated with central India.
2. 2. Yaudheyas — Kausambi, Mathura and Ahichchhatra ❌ These towns are listed under the Mitras.
3. 3. Mitras — Kausambi, Mathura, Avanti and Ahichchhatra ✅ These are the territories/towns attributed to the Mitras in the passage.
4. 4. Kushans — only lead coins in north-western India ❌ The Kushans issued large numbers of copper coins and also gold coins.

70 Consider the following statements about the decline of urban settlements:
1. Terracotta objects almost went out of fashion during Gupta and especially post-Gupta times.
2. Archaeological excavations in the Deccan suggest urban decline after the Satavahana phase.
3. The end of Kushan power had a negative impact on towns dependent on its trade routes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1. 1 only ❌
2. 2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three statements are supported by the chapter's archaeological and economic account.