46. Which was the largest building in Indus Valley Civilization?
[A] A granary
[B] The great bath
[C] A two storeyed house
[D] The Pillared Hall
Answer: A [A granary]
Notes:
The Great Granary of Harappa was the largest building of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was about 45 meters long and 15 meters wide. It was meant to store food grains. It had lines of circular brick platforms for pounding grain. There were barrack like quarters for workmen. The granary also had smaller halls and corridors. It was used to store surplus food grains. There were two rows of granaries. Each row had six granaries. A similar granary has been found in Mohanjodaro. All the granaries were built close to the river bank so that grains could be easily transported with the help of boats.
47. Who among the followings was known as ‘Devanam Piya’?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kharavela
[C] Kanishka
[D] Amoghavarsha
Answer: A [Ashoka]
Notes:
Devanam priya, also known as Devanampiya, was a Pali honorific epithet used by Magadhan Emperor Ashoka in his inscriptions. “Devanampriya” means “Beloved of the Gods”. It is often used by Ashoka in conjunction with the title Priyadasi, which means “He who regards others with kindness”, “Humane”.
48. Who founded the famous Vikramshila University for the Buddhists?
[A] Mahipala
[B] Gopala
[C] Dharampala
[D] Devapala
Answer: C [Dharampala]
Notes:
The Vikramasila University was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala dynasty, along with Nalanda University. It was established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda. Atisha, the renowned pandita, is sometimes listed as a notable abbot. It lasted four centuries before being destroyed during an attack by Bakhtiyar Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate.
49. Which Stupa at Sarnath was constructed by the great Mauryan king Ashoka?
[A] Bharhut
[B] Dhauli
[C] Dhamekh
[D] Lalitgiri
Answer: C [Dhamekh]
Notes:
Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath is one of the prominent Buddhist structures in India that was constructed by the great Mauryan king, Ashoka. The Dhamekh Stupa is cylindrical in shape and about 34 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the Stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones.
50. Which Pratyahara king was titled as ‘Pramana’?
[A] Nagabhata II
[B] Mihirbhoj
[C] Watsaraj
[D] Ram Bhoj
Answer: B [Mihirbhoj]
Notes:
Mihir Bhoja (836-885 A.D), the most powerful ruler of Gujara-Pratihara dynasty, was a devotee of Vishnu and adopted the title of Adivaraha (the fortunate primeval boar incarnation of Vishnu) which is inscribed on some of his coin. He succeeded his father Ramabhadra and was one of the outstanding figures of India in ninth century. He eventually took the title of ‘Pramana’.