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) Mesolithic site with burials

(iii) Neolithic pit dwelling

(iv) Early village settlement

(v) Neolithic site

(vi) Neolithic-Chalcolithic site

(vii) Harappan UNESCO site

(viii) Megalithic burial site

(ix) Place of Second Sangam

(x) Earliest Satavahana capital

(xi) Place of inscribed statue of Ashoka site

(xii) First Gupta hoard of coins

(xiii) Hoard of metal sculptures

(xiv) Ancient port

(xv) Oldest Jesuit church

(xvi) Centre of Gandhara art

(xvii) Buddhist Monastery

(xviii) Place of earliest Vishnu temple

(xix) Shiva and Buddhist temple complex

(xx) Earliest Chaitya Griha

Q.2

(a) The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was a result of neither of any outside influence nor a sudden act but a gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors. Comment. [20 Marks]

(b) Foreign accounts as a source of ancient Indian history may have some advantages also have a few shortcomings. Citing appropriate examples, example the statement. [15 Marks]

(c) Though some of the ideas of Buddhism may have had their origin in Vedic-Upanishadic traditions but it was an altogether new religion with its own specific principles and institutions. Discuss. [15 Marks]

Q.3

(a) The economic achievements of the Guptas were the culmination of a process which began during the Kushanas. Comment. [20 Marks]

(b) Ashoka’s Dhamma was propagated not just for moral upliftment and social harmony but also for the extension of the state’s authority. Analyze the statement. [15 Marks]

(c) With the help of representative examples, delineate the main differences between the Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture. [15 Marks]

Q.4

(a) Evaluate the importance of tripartite struggle for the domination over North India during the eighth and ninth centuries. [20 Marks]

(b) Throw light on the chief characteristics of Tamil bhakti Movement during the early medieval period. [15 Marks]

(c) Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is the best example of history writing tradition in early India. Discuss. [15 Marks]

Note: All Questions are from our topic wise study materials and PYQ solution.