Ancience India Chapter 24: India's Cultural Contacts with the Asian Countries

Ancience India Chapter 24: India's Cultural Contacts with the Asian Countries

Chapter 24: India's Cultural Contacts with the Asian Countries

Study Notes

Pointer / Question	Answer / Explanation
Did medieval Indian lawgivers and commentators permit crossing the seas?	No; they ordained against it.
Did India completely shun relations with the outside world?	No; it maintained Asian contacts since Harappan times.
Where did Harappan-period Indian traders travel?	Mesopotamian cities.
What evidence of Indian trade was found in Mesopotamia?	Indian seals.
What was the date range of the seals found in Mesopotamia?	2400–1700 B.C.
From when did India maintain extensive commercial contacts with Asian regions and the Roman Empire?	Beginning of the Christian era.
Which regions had commercial contacts with India from the beginning of the Christian era?	China, Southeast Asia, West Asia and the Roman Empire.
Which major trade route connected Indian land routes with China?	Chinese Silk Route.
With which part of the Roman Empire did India have commercial intercourse?	Eastern part.
Besides trade, how did India establish relations with neighbouring countries?	Through missionaries, conquerors and traders.
What did Indian missionaries, conquerors and traders establish abroad?	Settlements.
Which religion greatly promoted India's cultural contacts with Asia?	Buddhism.
Which regions developed contacts with India through Buddhism?	Sri Lanka, Burma, China and Central Asia.
Under which ruler were Buddhist missionaries probably sent to Sri Lanka?	Ashoka.
In which century were Buddhist missionaries probably sent to Sri Lanka under Ashoka?	Third century B.C.
Which script appears in inscriptions discovered in Sri Lanka dating to the second and first centuries B.C.?	Brahmi.
What happened to Buddhism in Sri Lanka over time?	It acquired a permanent, stronghold.
When did Buddhism spread from India to Burma?	Early centuries of the Christian era.
Which form of Buddhism developed in Burma?	Theravada.
What religious structures did the Burmese erect in honour of the Buddha?	Temples and statues.
What important literary contribution did Burmese and Sri Lankan Buddhists make?	A rich corpus of Buddhist literature.
Where were all Pali texts compiled and commented upon, according to the passage?	Sri Lanka.
In which two countries did Buddhism retain a large following even after disappearing from India?	Burma and Sri Lanka.
From whose reign did large-scale Indian Buddhist missionary activity in China, Central Asia and Afghanistan begin?	Kanishka.
Which regions received Indian Buddhist missionaries during and after the reign of Kanishka?	China, Central Asia and Afghanistan.
From China, Buddhism spread to which two countries?	Korea and Japan.
Which Chinese pilgrims visited India in search of Buddhist texts and doctrines?	Fa-hsien and Hsuan Tsang.
What was the overall result of India–China cultural contact?	Mutually beneficial exchange.
Where did a Buddhist colony develop as an important starting point for merchant caravans crossing the desert?	Tun Huang.
What did Indians learn from China?	The art of growing silk.
What did the Chinese learn from India?	The art of Buddhist painting.
What were the two other major ancient centres of Buddhism mentioned in the chapter?	Afghanistan and Central Asia.
What Buddhist remains have been discovered in Afghanistan?	Buddha statues and monasteries.
Which two Afghan places are famous for Buddhist relics?	Begram and Bamiyan.
For what artistic work was Begram famous?	Ivory work.
Begram's ivory work resembled the workmanship of which period in India?	Kushan period.
What distinction did Bamiyan possess?	The tallest rock-cut Buddha statue of its time, as described in the text.
When was the giant Buddha statue at Bamiyan carved?	Early centuries of the Christian era.
What geographical features at Bamiyan provided places for Buddhist monks to live?	Thousands of natural and artificial caves.
Until when did Buddhism continue to hold ground in Afghanistan?	Seventh century A.D.
Which religion supplanted Buddhism in Afghanistan?	Islam.
What archaeological evidence of Buddhism has been found in Central Asia?	Monasteries, stupas, inscriptions and manuscripts.
In what languages were some Central Asian Buddhist manuscripts written?	Indian languages.
Which political expansion helped Prakrit spread into Central Asia?	Expansion of Kushan rule.
Which script was used to write the Prakrit that spread into Central Asia?	Kharosthi.
Which period's Prakrit inscriptions and manuscripts are mentioned in Central Asia?	Fourth century A.D.
What were the practical uses of written language in Central Asia?	Official and everyday correspondence; preserving and propagating Buddhism.
Until when did Buddhism remain a dominant religious force in Central Asia?	Until around the end of the seventh century A.D.
Which religion replaced Buddhism in Central Asia?	Islam.
Did Indian culture spread to Southeast Asia exclusively through Buddhism?	No.
Except for Burma, through which religious tradition was Indian culture mainly diffused into Southeast Asia, according to the chapter?	Brahmanical cults.
Which two Burmese places were associated with the name Suvarnabhumi?	Pegu and Moulmein.
What does the name Suvarnabhumi suggest?	Land of gold.
From which Indian towns did merchants trade with Burma?	Broach, Banaras and Bhagalpur.
Which period's considerable Buddhist remains have been found in Burma?	Gupta period.
What was Java called by ancient Indians?	Suvarnadvipa, the island of gold.
Where is Java located?	Indonesia.
From when did India establish close relations with Java?	First century A.D.
When were the earliest Indian settlements in Java established, according to the chapter?	A.D. 56.
When were several small Indian principalities established in Java?	Second century A.D.
Which religion did Fa-hsien find prevalent in Java during his fifth-century A.D. visit?	Brahmanical religion.
In which region did the Pallavas establish colonies in the early centuries of the Christian era?	Sumatra.
Which kingdom eventually developed from the Pallava-associated colonial expansion in Sumatra?	Sri Vijaya.
During which centuries was Sri Vijaya an important power and centre of Indian culture?	Fifth to tenth centuries A.D.
How did Hindu settlements in Java and Sumatra affect Indian culture's spread?	They became channels for cultural diffusion.
Did the founding of Indian settlements in Southeast Asia stop after the early period?	No; it continued afterwards.
Which three modern countries constitute Indo-China in the chapter?	Vietnam, Kampuchea and Laos.
Which two powerful kingdoms did Indians establish in Indo-China?	Kamboja and Champa.
Which modern country is identified with ancient Kamboja in the chapter?	Kampuchea (Cambodia).
When was the kingdom of Kamboja founded?	Sixth century A.D.
Which deity did the rulers of Kamboja worship?	Shiva.
What role did Kamboja play in Sanskrit learning?	A centre of Sanskrit learning.
In which language were numerous Kamboja inscriptions composed?	Sanskrit.
Which areas did ancient Champa encompass?	Southern Vietnam and fringes of northern Vietnam.
Who apparently established colonies in Champa?	Traders.
Which religious tradition did the king of Champa follow?	Shaivism.
What was Champa's official language?	Sanskrit.
For which branches of learning was Champa considered a major educational centre?	Vedas and Dharmashastras.
Until which century did Indian settlements in the Indian Ocean region continue to flourish?	Thirteenth century.
What happened to Indian settlers and local populations over time?	They intermingled.
What emerged from continuous interaction between Indian settlers and local peoples?	New forms of art, language and literature.
What characterises many artistic objects in Southeast Asia?	Blending of Indian and indigenous elements.
Where is the world's largest Buddhist temple identified in the chapter located?	Borobudur, Indonesia.
When was Borobudur constructed?	Eighth century A.D.
How many Buddha images are stated to have been engraved at Borobudur?	436.
Which temple in Kampuchea is described as larger than Borobudur?	Angkor Wat.
To which civilisation's artistic achievements is Angkor Wat compared?	Egyptian and Greek.
Which two Indian epics appear in relief on Angkor Wat's walls?	Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Which Indian epic is particularly popular in Indonesia, inspiring folk plays?	Ramayana.
Which Indonesian language contains numerous Sanskrit words?	Bahasa Indonesia.
Which Southeast Asian sculpture examples demonstrate the blending of Indian and local art?	Buddha head from Thailand, head from Kamboja and bronze images from Java.
Which Southeast Asian region has paintings comparable to those of Ajanta?	Sri Lanka and Tun Huang caves on the Chinese border.
Did religion alone spread Indian culture abroad?	No; traders and conquerors also contributed.
Who supported the work of missionaries in spreading Indian culture?	Traders and conquerors.
Which activity played a vital role in establishing India's relations with Central and Southeast Asia?	Trade.
What do the names Suvarnabhumi and Suvarnadvipa suggest about Indian trade?	Search for gold.
Did trade exchange only goods?	No; it also exchanged cultural elements.
Was cultural exchange between India and its neighbours one-sided?	No; it was a two-way process.
From whom did Indians acquire the craft of minting gold coins?	Greeks and Romans.
From which country did Indians learn the art of growing silk?	China.
From which country did Indians learn the art of growing betel leaves?	Indonesia.
From which region did the method of growing cotton spread?	From India to China and Central Asia.
In which fields was India's contribution to neighbouring cultures particularly important, according to the chapter?	Art, religion, script and language.
Were Southeast Asian cultures exact replicas of Indian culture?	No; they developed their own indigenous identities.
How did Southeast Asian countries develop their own cultures?	By assimilating Indian cultural elements.
What does India's own cultural development despite foreign influences illustrate?	Cultural adaptation without losing identity.
What is the central conclusion about India's cultural relations with Asia?	Mutual exchange, adaptation and cultural synthesis.

MCQs

1 Since which period had India maintained contacts with its Asian neighbours?

1. Vedic period
2. Harappan times
3. Mauryan period
4. Gupta period

1. Vedic period ❌
2. Harappan times ✅ The chapter traces India's Asian contacts to Harappan times.
3. Mauryan period ❌
4. Gupta period ❌

2 Indian seals found in Mesopotamian cities belong to which period?

1. 3000–2500 B.C.
2. 2400–1700 B.C.
3. 1500–1000 B.C.
4. 600–300 B.C.

1. 3000–2500 B.C. ❌
2. 2400–1700 B.C. ✅ This is the date range given in the chapter.
3. 1500–1000 B.C. ❌
4. 600–300 B.C. ❌

3 From the beginning of the Christian era, India maintained commercial contacts with which of the following?

1. China and Southeast Asia
2. West Asia and the Roman Empire
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Only the Roman Empire

1. China and Southeast Asia ❌
2. West Asia and the Roman Empire ❌
3. Both 1 and 2 ✅ All four regions are explicitly mentioned.
4. Only the Roman Empire ❌

4 Which route connected Indian land routes with China?

1. Spice Route
2. Silk Route
3. Grand Trunk Road
4. Royal Road

1. Spice Route ❌
2. Silk Route ✅ The chapter refers to the Chinese Silk Route.
3. Grand Trunk Road ❌
4. Royal Road ❌

5 Which activities helped India establish settlements in neighbouring countries?

1. Missionary activity alone
2. Conquest alone
3. Trade alone
4. Missionary activity, conquest and trade

1. Missionary activity alone ❌
2. Conquest alone ❌
3. Trade alone ❌
4. Missionary activity, conquest and trade ✅ The chapter identifies all three.

6 Which religion promoted India's cultural contacts with Sri Lanka, Burma, China and Central Asia?

1. Jainism
2. Buddhism
3. Shaivism
4. Zoroastrianism

1. Jainism ❌
2. Buddhism ✅ Buddhist propagation promoted these contacts.
3. Shaivism ❌
4. Zoroastrianism ❌

7 Under whose reign were Buddhist missionaries probably sent to Sri Lanka in the third century B.C.?

1. Chandragupta Maurya
2. Ashoka
3. Kanishka
4. Samudragupta

1. Chandragupta Maurya ❌
2. Ashoka ✅ The chapter says the mission probably occurred during Ashoka's reign.
3. Kanishka ❌
4. Samudragupta ❌

8 Which script was used in Sri Lankan inscriptions dated to the second and first centuries B.C.?

1. Brahmi
2. Kharosthi
3. Grantha
4. Devanagari

1. Brahmi ✅ The chapter specifically identifies the Brahmi script.
2. Kharosthi ❌
3. Grantha ❌
4. Devanagari ❌

9 Which form of Buddhism developed in Burma?

1. Mahayana
2. Vajrayana
3. Theravada
4. Zen

1. Mahayana ❌
2. Vajrayana ❌
3. Theravada ✅ The chapter identifies Theravada as the Burmese form.
4. Zen ❌

10 According to the chapter, where were all the Pali texts compiled and commented upon?

1. India
2. China
3. Sri Lanka
4. Afghanistan

1. India ❌
2. China ❌
3. Sri Lanka ✅ The chapter credits Sri Lanka with compiling and commenting on the Pali texts.
4. Afghanistan ❌

11 Even after Buddhism disappeared from India, where did it continue to command a large following?

1. Burma and Sri Lanka
2. Greece and Rome
3. Egypt and Persia
4. Java and Champa only

1. Burma and Sri Lanka ✅ The chapter says Buddhism continued to flourish in both.
2. Greece and Rome ❌
3. Egypt and Persia ❌
4. Java and Champa only ❌

12 The large-scale dispatch of Indian Buddhist missionaries to China, Central Asia and Afghanistan is associated with whose reign?

1. Ashoka
2. Kanishka
3. Harsha
4. Chandragupta II

1. Ashoka ❌
2. Kanishka ✅ The chapter begins this phase with Kanishka's reign.
3. Harsha ❌
4. Chandragupta II ❌

13 From China, Buddhism spread to which countries?

1. Korea and Japan
2. Burma and Sri Lanka
3. Egypt and Greece
4. Vietnam and Laos only

1. Korea and Japan ✅ These two countries are explicitly mentioned.
2. Burma and Sri Lanka ❌
3. Egypt and Greece ❌
4. Vietnam and Laos only ❌

14 Which Chinese pilgrims came to India in search of Buddhist texts and doctrines?

1. Fa-hsien and Hsuan Tsang
2. Megasthenes and Pliny
3. Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta
4. Al-Biruni and Xuanzang's contemporary Faxian's successors only

1. Fa-hsien and Hsuan Tsang ✅ Both are named in the chapter.
2. Megasthenes and Pliny ❌
3. Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta ❌
4. Al-Biruni and Xuanzang's contemporary Faxian's successors only ❌ This does not give the pair stated in the passage.

15 Which Buddhist settlement became a starting point for merchant caravans crossing the desert?

1. Bamiyan
2. Tun Huang
3. Begram
4. Borobudur

1. Bamiyan ❌
2. Tun Huang ✅ The Buddhist colony at Tun Huang is linked with desert-crossing merchant caravans.
3. Begram ❌
4. Borobudur ❌

16 What did Indians learn from China, and what did the Chinese learn from India?

1. Indians learned cotton cultivation; Chinese learned coin minting.
2. Indians learned silk cultivation; Chinese learned Buddhist painting.
3. Indians learned Buddhist painting; Chinese learned silk cultivation.
4. Both learned gold mining.

1. Indians learned cotton cultivation; Chinese learned coin minting. ❌
2. Indians learned silk cultivation; Chinese learned Buddhist painting. ✅ This is the exchange described in the chapter.
3. Indians learned Buddhist painting; Chinese learned silk cultivation. ❌
4. Both learned gold mining. ❌

17 Which Afghan places are famous for Buddhist remains?

1. Begram and Bamiyan
2. Pegu and Moulmein
3. Java and Sumatra
4. Kamboja and Champa

1. Begram and Bamiyan ✅ Both places are noted for Buddhist relics.
2. Pegu and Moulmein ❌
3. Java and Sumatra ❌
4. Kamboja and Champa ❌

18 Begram was particularly famous for which craft?

1. Silk weaving
2. Ivory work
3. Bronze casting only
4. Cotton cultivation

1. Silk weaving ❌
2. Ivory work ✅ Its ivory work resembled Indian workmanship of Kushan times.
3. Bronze casting only ❌
4. Cotton cultivation ❌

19 What was the notable feature of the Buddha statue at Bamiyan?

1. It was made entirely of ivory.
2. It was the tallest rock-cut Buddha statue described in the chapter.
3. It was built during the Gupta period in India.
4. It was located in Sri Lanka.

1. It was made entirely of ivory. ❌
2. It was the tallest rock-cut Buddha statue described in the chapter. ✅ The passage highlights its exceptional height and rock-cut construction.
3. It was built during the Gupta period in India. ❌
4. It was located in Sri Lanka. ❌

20 Until approximately when did Buddhism remain influential in Afghanistan?

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

1. Third century B.C. ❌
2. First century A.D. ❌
3. Seventh century A.D. ✅ The chapter states that Islam then supplanted Buddhism.
4. Thirteenth century A.D. ❌

21 Which archaeological remains have been discovered at several sites in Central Asia?

1. Only Roman amphitheatres
2. Buddhist monasteries, stupas, inscriptions and manuscripts
3. Only Harappan drainage systems
4. Only medieval Islamic forts

1. Only Roman amphitheatres ❌
2. Buddhist monasteries, stupas, inscriptions and manuscripts ✅ These discoveries are evidence of Buddhist and Indian cultural influence.
3. Only Harappan drainage systems ❌
4. Only medieval Islamic forts ❌

22 Which script was used to write the Prakrit that spread to Central Asia under Kushan expansion?

1. Brahmi
2. Kharosthi
3. Grantha
4. Sharada

1. Brahmi ❌
2. Kharosthi ✅ The passage specifically associates this Prakrit with Kharosthi.
3. Grantha ❌
4. Sharada ❌

23 The Prakrit inscriptions and manuscripts mentioned in Central Asia belong to which century?

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

1. First century B.C. ❌
2. Second century A.D. ❌
3. Fourth century A.D. ✅ This is the date given in the chapter.
4. Tenth century A.D. ❌

24 What were the uses of written language in Central Asia?

1. Only royal inscriptions
2. Only religious ceremonies
3. Official and daily correspondence, and preservation and propagation of Buddhism
4. Only literary entertainment

1. Only royal inscriptions ❌
2. Only religious ceremonies ❌
3. Official and daily correspondence, and preservation and propagation of Buddhism ✅ The text gives both administrative and religious uses.
4. Only literary entertainment ❌

25 Around when was Buddhism replaced by Islam as a dominant religious force in Central Asia?

1. End of the third century A.D.
2. End of the fifth century A.D.
3. Around the end of the seventh century A.D.
4. End of the thirteenth century A.D.

1. End of the third century A.D. ❌
2. End of the fifth century A.D. ❌
3. Around the end of the seventh century A.D. ✅ This is the approximate period given.
4. End of the thirteenth century A.D. ❌

26 Except for Burma, which tradition was the principal medium for the spread of Indian culture into Southeast Asia?

1. Brahmanical cults
2. Only Theravada Buddhism
3. Christianity
4. Zoroastrianism

1. Brahmanical cults ✅ The chapter makes this distinction while discussing Southeast Asia.
2. Only Theravada Buddhism ❌
3. Christianity ❌
4. Zoroastrianism ❌

27 Which Burmese places were called Suvarnabhumi in the chapter?

1. Begram and Bamiyan
2. Pegu and Moulmein
3. Java and Sumatra
4. Kamboja and Champa

1. Begram and Bamiyan ❌
2. Pegu and Moulmein ✅ These Burmese places were associated with the name Suvarnabhumi.
3. Java and Sumatra ❌
4. Kamboja and Champa ❌

28 Merchants from which Indian towns traded with Burma?

1. Broach, Banaras and Bhagalpur
2. Patna, Delhi and Lahore
3. Madurai, Kanchi and Thanjavur
4. Taxila, Ujjain and Pataliputra only

1. Broach, Banaras and Bhagalpur ✅ All three are named in the passage.
2. Patna, Delhi and Lahore ❌
3. Madurai, Kanchi and Thanjavur ❌
4. Taxila, Ujjain and Pataliputra only ❌

29 Which period's Buddhist remains have been found in Burma?

1. Mauryan period
2. Gupta period
3. Delhi Sultanate period
4. Mughal period

1. Mauryan period ❌
2. Gupta period ✅ The chapter mentions considerable Buddhist remains of Gupta times.
3. Delhi Sultanate period ❌
4. Mughal period ❌

30 What did ancient Indians call Java?

1. Suvarnabhumi
2. Suvarnadvipa
3. Jambudvipa
4. Aryavarta

1. Suvarnabhumi ❌
2. Suvarnadvipa ✅ The name means the island of gold.
3. Jambudvipa ❌
4. Aryavarta ❌

31 When were the earliest Indian settlements in Java established, according to the chapter?

1. 56 B.C.
2. A.D. 56
3. A.D. 356
4. A.D. 656

1. 56 B.C. ❌
2. A.D. 56 ✅ This date is explicitly stated in the chapter.
3. A.D. 356 ❌
4. A.D. 656 ❌

32 What did Fa-hsien observe in Java during his visit in the fifth century A.D.?

1. Buddhism was completely absent throughout Asia.
2. The Brahmanical religion was prevalent there.
3. Islam was the only religion.
4. Greek religion dominated the island.

1. Buddhism was completely absent throughout Asia. ❌
2. The Brahmanical religion was prevalent there. ✅ This is the observation attributed to Fa-hsien.
3. Islam was the only religion. ❌
4. Greek religion dominated the island. ❌

33 Where did the Pallavas establish colonies in the early centuries of the Christian era?

1. Sumatra
2. Sri Lanka only
3. Afghanistan
4. Central Asia

1. Sumatra ✅ The chapter associates Pallava colonial activity with Sumatra.
2. Sri Lanka only ❌
3. Afghanistan ❌
4. Central Asia ❌

34 Which kingdom eventually emerged in connection with the Indian cultural expansion into Sumatra?

1. Sri Vijaya
2. Chola
3. Pala
4. Satavahana

1. Sri Vijaya ✅ The chapter describes it as an important power and centre of Indian culture.
2. Chola ❌
3. Pala ❌
4. Satavahana ❌

35 During which period was Sri Vijaya an important power and centre of Indian culture?

1. First to fourth centuries A.D.
2. Fifth to tenth centuries A.D.
3. Eleventh to thirteenth centuries A.D.
4. Fourteenth to seventeenth centuries A.D.

1. First to fourth centuries A.D. ❌
2. Fifth to tenth centuries A.D. ✅ This is the period stated in the passage.
3. Eleventh to thirteenth centuries A.D. ❌
4. Fourteenth to seventeenth centuries A.D. ❌

36 Which three modern countries are identified as constituting Indo-China in the chapter?

1. Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia
2. Vietnam, Kampuchea and Laos
3. Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei
4. China, Japan and Korea

1. Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia ❌
2. Vietnam, Kampuchea and Laos ✅ These three are listed in the text.
3. Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei ❌
4. China, Japan and Korea ❌

37 Which two powerful kingdoms did Indians establish in Indo-China?

1. Kamboja and Champa
2. Begram and Bamiyan
3. Pegu and Moulmein
4. Java and Sumatra

1. Kamboja and Champa ✅ Both kingdoms are identified in the chapter.
2. Begram and Bamiyan ❌
3. Pegu and Moulmein ❌
4. Java and Sumatra ❌

38 When was the kingdom of Kamboja founded?

1. First century A.D.
2. Third century A.D.
3. Sixth century A.D.
4. Tenth century A.D.

1. First century A.D. ❌
2. Third century A.D. ❌
3. Sixth century A.D. ✅ The chapter gives the sixth century A.D. as its foundation period.
4. Tenth century A.D. ❌

39 Which deity was worshipped by the rulers of Kamboja?

1. Vishnu
2. Shiva
3. Brahma
4. Indra exclusively

1. Vishnu ❌
2. Shiva ✅ The rulers are described as devotees of Shiva.
3. Brahma ❌
4. Indra exclusively ❌

40 Which language was used for numerous inscriptions in Kamboja?

1. Pali
2. Prakrit
3. Sanskrit
4. Tamil only

1. Pali ❌
2. Prakrit ❌
3. Sanskrit ✅ Kamboja became a centre of Sanskrit learning.
4. Tamil only ❌

41 Which areas did Champa encompass?

1. Northern India and Nepal
2. Southern Vietnam and the fringes of northern Vietnam
3. Modern Sri Lanka and Maldives
4. Burma and Thailand only

1. Northern India and Nepal ❌
2. Southern Vietnam and the fringes of northern Vietnam ✅ This is the geographical description given.
3. Modern Sri Lanka and Maldives ❌
4. Burma and Thailand only ❌

42 Which language was the official language of Champa?

1. Sanskrit
2. Pali
3. Prakrit
4. Chinese

1. Sanskrit ✅ The chapter explicitly identifies Sanskrit as Champa's official language.
2. Pali ❌
3. Prakrit ❌
4. Chinese ❌

43 Champa was considered an important centre of education in which subjects?

1. Vedas and Dharmashastras
2. Only astronomy and medicine
3. Only Buddhist Abhidhamma
4. Greek philosophy and Roman law

1. Vedas and Dharmashastras ✅ Both branches of learning are mentioned in the chapter.
2. Only astronomy and medicine ❌
3. Only Buddhist Abhidhamma ❌
4. Greek philosophy and Roman law ❌

44 Until which century did Indian settlements in the Indian Ocean region continue to flourish?

1. Seventh century
2. Tenth century
3. Thirteenth century
4. Seventeenth century

1. Seventh century ❌
2. Tenth century ❌
3. Thirteenth century ✅ The chapter states that these settlements flourished until this century.
4. Seventeenth century ❌

45 What developed through the prolonged intermingling of Indian settlers and local populations?

1. Complete disappearance of local traditions
2. New forms of art, language and literature
3. Identical cultures across all countries
4. Only new political boundaries

1. Complete disappearance of local traditions ❌
2. New forms of art, language and literature ✅ Cultural interaction produced new forms and blended traditions.
3. Identical cultures across all countries ❌
4. Only new political boundaries ❌

46 Where is Borobudur located?

1. India
2. Indonesia
3. Kampuchea
4. Afghanistan

1. India ❌
2. Indonesia ✅ Borobudur is located in Indonesia.
3. Kampuchea ❌
4. Afghanistan ❌

47 When was Borobudur constructed, according to the chapter?

1. Second century A.D.
2. Fifth century A.D.
3. Eighth century A.D.
4. Thirteenth century A.D.

1. Second century A.D. ❌
2. Fifth century A.D. ❌
3. Eighth century A.D. ✅ This is the date stated in the chapter.
4. Thirteenth century A.D. ❌

48 How many Buddha images are stated to have been engraved at Borobudur?

1. 108
2. 216
3. 436
4. 1,000

1. 108 ❌
2. 216 ❌
3. 436 ✅ The chapter gives the number as 436 Buddha images.
4. 1,000 ❌

49 Which temple in Kampuchea is described as larger than Borobudur?

1. Angkor Wat
2. Mahabodhi Temple
3. Kailasa Temple
4. Shore Temple

1. Angkor Wat ✅ The chapter compares Angkor Wat with Borobudur and states that it is larger.
2. Mahabodhi Temple ❌
3. Kailasa Temple ❌
4. Shore Temple ❌

50 Which Indian epics are depicted in relief on the walls of Angkor Wat?

1. Ramayana and Mahabharata
2. Rigveda and Samaveda
3. Jataka tales only
4. Arthashastra and Manusmriti

1. Ramayana and Mahabharata ✅ Both epics are represented in relief on the temple walls.
2. Rigveda and Samaveda ❌
3. Jataka tales only ❌
4. Arthashastra and Manusmriti ❌

51 Which epic is particularly popular in Indonesia and forms the basis of many folk plays?

1. Mahabharata only
2. Ramayana
3. Silappadikaram
4. Meghaduta

1. Mahabharata only ❌
2. Ramayana ✅ The chapter specifically highlights its popularity and folk-play adaptations.
3. Silappadikaram ❌
4. Meghaduta ❌

52 Which language contains numerous Sanskrit words?

1. Bahasa Indonesia
2. Modern Greek
3. Latin
4. Japanese exclusively

1. Bahasa Indonesia ✅ The chapter notes the presence of numerous Sanskrit words in Indonesian.
2. Modern Greek ❌
3. Latin ❌
4. Japanese exclusively ❌

53 Which examples illustrate the blending of Indian and Southeast Asian sculpture traditions?

1. Buddha head from Thailand, head from Kamboja and bronze images from Java
2. Only Mauryan pillars from India
3. Roman mosaics from Italy alone
4. Only Egyptian pyramids

1. Buddha head from Thailand, head from Kamboja and bronze images from Java ✅ These examples are specifically identified in the passage.
2. Only Mauryan pillars from India ❌
3. Roman mosaics from Italy alone ❌
4. Only Egyptian pyramids ❌

54 Paintings comparable to those at Ajanta were found in which places mentioned in the chapter?

1. Sri Lanka and the Tun Huang caves
2. Begram and Bamiyan only
3. Java and Champa only
4. Mesopotamia and Rome only

1. Sri Lanka and the Tun Huang caves ✅ The passage identifies both locations.
2. Begram and Bamiyan only ❌
3. Java and Champa only ❌
4. Mesopotamia and Rome only ❌

55 Which statement best describes the role of trade in India's cultural relations with Asia?

1. Trade exchanged goods but never cultural elements.
2. Trade played a vital role in cultural contact and exchanged both goods and cultural elements.
3. Trade was unimportant compared with geographical isolation.
4. Trade occurred only with the Roman Empire.

1. Trade exchanged goods but never cultural elements. ❌
2. Trade played a vital role in cultural contact and exchanged both goods and cultural elements. ✅ This is one of the chapter's central arguments.
3. Trade was unimportant compared with geographical isolation. ❌
4. Trade occurred only with the Roman Empire. ❌

56 From whom did Indians learn the craft of minting gold coins?

1. Chinese and Japanese
2. Greeks and Romans
3. Arabs and Turks
4. Indonesians and Burmese

1. Chinese and Japanese ❌
2. Greeks and Romans ✅ The chapter credits both peoples with this influence.
3. Arabs and Turks ❌
4. Indonesians and Burmese ❌

57 From which country did Indians learn the art of growing betel leaves?

1. China
2. Indonesia
3. Greece
4. Afghanistan

1. China ❌
2. Indonesia ✅ The chapter identifies Indonesia as the source of this knowledge.
3. Greece ❌
4. Afghanistan ❌

58 In which direction did the method of growing cotton spread?

1. From China to India and Europe
2. From India to China and Central Asia
3. From Rome to India and Burma
4. From Japan to India and Sri Lanka

1. From China to India and Europe ❌
2. From India to China and Central Asia ✅ This direction is stated in the chapter.
3. From Rome to India and Burma ❌
4. From Japan to India and Sri Lanka ❌

59 In which fields was India's cultural contribution particularly important, according to the chapter?

1. Art, religion, script and language
2. Only military technology
3. Only agriculture and irrigation
4. Only political administration

1. Art, religion, script and language ✅ These are the fields specifically highlighted by the author.
2. Only military technology ❌
3. Only agriculture and irrigation ❌
4. Only political administration ❌

60 Which statement correctly describes the cultural development of Southeast Asian countries?

1. They simply copied Indian culture without modification.
2. They rejected all Indian influences.
3. They assimilated Indian elements while developing their own indigenous cultures.
4. They had no cultural contact with India.

1. They simply copied Indian culture without modification. ❌
2. They rejected all Indian influences. ❌
3. They assimilated Indian elements while developing their own indigenous cultures. ✅ The chapter emphasises cultural adaptation and the preservation of local identity.
4. They had no cultural contact with India. ❌