Day: August 25, 2017

Describe the expansion of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta.  ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The most important epigraph of Samudragupta’s reign is the prashasti on the unique Allahabad pillar which was composed by his court poet, Harisena. The inscription contains 33 lines. The Allahabad inscription, in prose and verse, eulogizes the achievements, conquests and personality of the Samudragupta. […]

What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Gupta empire was essentially a monarchical state system as all the decision-making powers were in the hands of the Gupta monarchs. Salient Features of the administrative system of the Guptas – 1) The Central Administration King: –  The King was the […]

Examine the significance of the deities depicted on coins of the Kushanas. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Important deities depicted on the Kushana coins are: Greek– Herakles (Hercules), Zero (Zeus), Helios (Sun god); Iranian– Mithra (Sun), Mao (Moon), Oado (wind), Nana (Nature goddess) etc; Hindu– Oheso (Shiva), Ommo (consort of shiva- Uma), Vasudeva (Vishnu) etc; Buddhist– Boddo (Buddha). Examining […]

Examine sources of information for Mauryan dynasty. Throw light on historical significance of Ashoka’s inscriptions. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Examining the sources of information for Mauryan dynasty The important sources for the study of the Mauryan period are the Arthasastra, Indica, Asoka’s inscription, Archaeological and numismatic evidence. Arthasastra The Arthasastra is an important treatise on the polity and […]

“The Varna concept may always have been largely a theoretical model and never an actual description of society.” Comment in the context of Ancient India. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The earliest reference to the division of society into four strata occurs in the Purushasukta a hymn in the book 10 of Rig veda samhita. Since it is a […]

Evaluate the contribution of the Puranas in disseminating secular knowledge among the masses in ancient India. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Purana means’ old’. According to tradition, the composition of Puaranas began with Sage Veda-Vyasa. There are 18 Mahapuranas (great puranas) and many more Upapuranas (secondary puranas). The origins of the puranas may be overlapped to some extent with […]

Evaluate various views regarding human settlements as gleaned from the Vedic sources. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: In Rig Veda, we find the Aryans as conquerors and settlers on the banks of the Indus and its five branches; and India beyond the Sutlaj was almost unknown to them. Smallest unit of settlement was called Griha. Kula– habitation by joint […]

Evaluate the conceptual basis of the Vedic deities. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Rig Veda reflects a naturalistic polytheism – a belief in many gods who personified natural phenomena. The connection is clear in some cases from the very name of the deities, as in the case of Agni (Fire), Surya (the Sun), and Ushas (Dawn). The gods […]

Analyze the elements of urban civilization in the Harappan Culture. What factors were responsible for its decline? OR How do you account for the decline of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: A sophisticated and technologically advanced urban culture is evident in the Indus Valley Civilization. Elements of urban civilization in the Harappan culture 1) Town Planning – The settlements were planned. The […]

. Discuss salient features of the Indus Valley Civilization. Mention important places from where relics of civilization have been recovered so far. Examine causes of its decline. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Indus valley Civilization occupies a huge area. Sites have been found in Afghanistan; in the Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, and North-West Frontier province of Pakistan; in […]