SECTION A [ANCIENT INDIA]

Q.1 Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim. [50 Marks]

(i) Paleolithic site

(ii) Paleolithic Factory site

(iii) Neolithic site

(iv) Early and Mature Harappan site

(v) Chalcolithic site

(vi) Site of Coin and Seal Moulds

(vii) Ancient Administration Centre

(viii) Ancient Political Headquarter

(ix) Ancient Temple site

(x) Pre and Proto Historic site

(xi) Ancient Capital City

(xii) Place of Shaiva Temple

(xiii) World Heritage Centre of Temple complex

(xiv) An Inscriptional site

(xv) Place of Jain Temple

(xvi) Largest Buddhist Monastery

(xvii) Ancient Temple Complex

(xviii) Place of oldest Mosque

(xix) Temple Complex dedicated to Shiva

(xx) Ancient Education Centre

Q.2 (a) Puranas were the innovative genre of literature to popularise and revive Vedic religion. Elaborate with examples. [15 Marks]

Q.2 (b) Discuss the factors that played an important role in the process of urbanisation after the Later-Vedic period. [15 Marks]

Q.2 (c) Throw light on the nature of religion and classification of gods mentioned in the Rigveda. [20 Marks]

Q.3 (a) Evaluate the significant political features of the Post Mauryan Northern India. What are the main sources of it? [15 Marks]

Q.3 (b) A number of scholars considered Alexander as ‘The Great’, although long term impacts of Alexander’s invasion on India need to be re-evaluated. Comment. [15 Marks]

Q.3 (c) Discuss the salient features of cultural traditions of South India as reflected in Sangam Literature. [20 Marks]

Q.4 (a) ‘Sanskrit literature of classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India’. Evaluate the statement with representative examples. [15 Marks]

Q.4 (b) Trace and identify the changing pattern of Tantrism in Ancient India with examples. [15 Marks]

Q.4 (c) Describe the evolution and development of regional temple architecture of South India with special reference to Pallavas. [20 Marks]