Day: August 22, 2017

Examine the view that sacrifice was a ritual and a form of social exchange in Vedic India. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Deities were worshipped through prayer and sacrificial rituals (yajnas). The sacrifice marked a movement from every day, mundane sphere of activity and experience to the sacred sphere. The gods are presented as powerful, mostly benevolent beings, who […]

Evaluate the significance of seals and sealings in the reconstruction of socio-economic and religious life of the Harappan people. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Seal making was an important Harappan craft. Most of the seals are square or rectangular. A few cylindrical and round seals have also been found. Most of the seals are made of steatite, but there […]

Discuss the changing approaches to the study of early Indian history. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The historiography of early India reveals significant changes over time. The various ‘schools’ of history writing are often presented and understood in terms of one school making way for the other in a neat, forward progression. The reality is more complex. There […]

Discuss different interpretations of historians about the nature of Asoka’s ‘Dhamma’. Did his principle of ‘Dhamma-vijaya’ render the Mauryan Empire militaristically weak? OR Discuss the nature of Ashoka’s Dhamma. Was it responsible for the downfall of his empire? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: “Dhamma” corresponds to the Sanskrit word “Dharma” which literally means “which is to be held fast to” […]

Examine the role of adhyaksha in the Mauryan administration.  ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The second book of Arthashastra i.e. Adyakshaprachara contemplates a ubiquitous bureaucracy which keeps in touch with all sections of the society. These superintendents were called Adhyakshas. Adhyakshas composed a highly skilled secretariat, divided into several departments. Some of the Adhyakshas mentioned in the Arthashastra  are:- […]

Determine the extent of the Mauryan empire. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The extant major rock edicts are mostly located along the borders of the empire and are extremely useful in determining the extent  of the Mauryan empire. In addition to that, the pillar edicts, the minor rock edicts and various inscriptions can also help in this regard. In […]

Write a short essay on: “The architectural and artistic features of the great stupa at Sanchi” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Stupa, an architectural structure usually housing the cremated remains or possessions of important saintly figures, is considered to be the structural emblem and the most important type of monument of Buddhism. The Great Stupa at Sanchi in different […]

Write a short essay on: “Mauryan municipal administration.”  ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Megasthenes’ account of municipal administration Megasthenes has given a vivid description of the administration of Pataliputra where he mentions six committees of five members each, in charge of the following aspects:- (a) Industrial  arts; (b) the entertainment and surveillance of foreigners; (c) maintaining records of […]

Write a short essay on: “Similarities and differences between the Maurya columns and Achaemenian pillars.” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Similarities between the Maurya columns and Achaemenian pillars (1) Both were built of stones. (2) Both used polished stones. (3) Both have certain common sculpture motifs such as the lotus. (4) Ashokan pillar edicts are somewhat similar to pillar edicts of Darius (king […]

“Archaeology knows of no Aryans; only literature knows of Aryans.” Examine critically. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The composers of the Rig Veda described themselves as Arya. The Vedic literature talks about the political life, the social life, the economic life and the religious life of the Aryans. The texts also deal in details about the gods and goddesses […]