226 An accomplished and rich dancer gave away her mango-grove to the Sangha of Buddha and became his disciple. Name her. Amrapali.
227 Why was the Indus Valley Civilisation originally called the Harappan Civilisation? It was so called because the first site of this civilization was discovered (in 1921) at the modern site of Harappa, in present day Pakistan.
228 What was the basis of the town planning of the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation? It was the Grid System. In the format that they used all roads cut across each other almost at right angles. This led to the city being divided into blocks.
229 What was the most important public place in Mohenjodaro? It was the Great Bath. It was probably used for ritual bathing.
230 What religion did Kharavela patronise? Jainism.
231 The Greeks called cotton "Sindon". There is a reason behind this name. What is it? The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were the first to produce cotton and therefore the Greeks called it Sindon. This word is derived from the name Sindh.
232 Karikala Chola founded a famous city. What was it? Puhar. Identified with Kaveripatnam the Chola capital.
233 To which Age does the Indus Valley Civilisation belong? The Bronze Age. Iron was not known to them.
234 What is the birthplace of Shankaracharya? Kaladi. Shankaracharya was a famous exponent of the Advaita philosophy. Advaita literally means not two. Advaita believes in an eternal being and holds that the plurality is nothing but illusion.
235 How many books or Mandalas does the Rig Veda contain? Ten.
236 Who introduced chariots drawn by horses into India? The Aryans
237 Who was born to Siddhartha and Trishala in the year 540 B.C.? Vardhamana Mahavira
238 According to the Arthashastra, the Purohita was an important member of the Mantri Parishad. What was his role? He was the High Priest.
239 In ancient India handicraftsmen were organised into economic corporations or guilds. What were these Guilds called? Shreni.
240 Who wrote Kadambari? Banabhatta.
241 At what age did Mahavira abandon the world and become an ascetic? At the age of 30 yrs.
242 Where and when did Mahavira pass away? In 468 B.C at Pavapuri, in modern Bihar.
243 Jainism was divided into two sects. Name them. Shvetambara: - Those clad in white.
Digambara: - Those who are sky-clad (or are naked)
244 Where was Buddha born? Buddha was born in the royal grove in Lumbini near Kapilavastu.
245 Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon? At Sarnath.
246 What was the path to be followed to be free from misery according to Buddha? He recommended following the eight-fold path, (ashtanga magga)
247 Under whose rule did Magadha first attain prominence? Bimbisara. According to Ashwaghosha, Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.
248 Who was the Royal Physician at Bimbisara's court? Jivaka.
249 Which was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha before Pataliputra? Girivraja. Also called Rajagriha or Rajgir.
250 Who succeeded Bimbisara to the throne of Magadha? Ajatashatru.
251 Which dynasty succeeded the dynasty of Bimbisara? The Shishunagas. They conquered the kingdom of Avanti, and made it a part of the Magadhan empire.
252 Where was Pataliputra situated? It was situated at the confluence of the Gandak, the Son, and the Ganga. It is present-day Patna.
253 What were the reasons behind the refusal of the Greek soldiers to accompany Alexander beyond the Beas? They were war weary and home sick. The hot climate of India did not suit them. Having experienced the fighting abilities of the Indian people they were apprehensive about the power of the Nandas. All these reasons contributed to their refusal.
254 What theme does Vishakhadatta's play, Mudrarakshasa, deal with? The strategies adopted by Chanakya against the enemies of Chandragupta Maurya.
255 Which were the four divisions of the army in ancient India? Infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots.
256 Why did Ashoka exempt the village of Lumbini from 'Bali' (tribute paid to the king)? Because this was the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
257 Menander, also known as Milinda, was the most famous of the Indo-Greek kings. Where was his capital city? Sakala, modern Sialkot.
258 Who was the Buddhist monk who converted Menander into Buddhism? Nagasena or Nagarjuna.
259 What is the Milinda Panha? It is a book, which records the conversation between Nagarjuna and Menander. Milinda Panha literally means Questions by Milinda.
260 Who issued the first long inscription in chaste
Sanskrit?		 Rudradaman, the famous Shaka ruler.
261 We know of two successive dynasties of the Kushanas. Who founded them? The first dynasty was founded by Kadphises I and the second by Kanishka.
262 The Shakas and the Kushanas completely identified themselves with Indian culture. What factors helped them in this? They did not have a script of their own nor did they have any organised religion.
263 What were the articles of clothing introduced in India by the Shakas and the Kushanas? Trousers, long coat, tunic and turban. The turban, however, is mentioned as a head dress in ancient India (Ushneesha)
264 How were the foreign elements like Shaka, Pahlava and the Kushanas assimilated into Indian society? Since they came as conquerors they were classified as Kshatriyas.
265 Buddhism was divided into two sects. What were they? Mahayana: - The Great wheel. Hinayana: - The Lesser wheel.
266 Name the two Buddhist centres located in present day Andhra Pradesh? Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.
267 What was the contribution of the Greeks to Indian theatre techniques? The use of curtain was borrowed from the Greeks. The curtain was called "Yavanika".
268 Over which areas did the Shatavahana dynasty rule? The Deccan and Central India.
269 Over which area of India did Rashtrakutas rule? Northern Maharashtra.
270 Who were Gandhikas? Artisans who are mentioned as giving donations to the Buddhists. Originally Gandhika meant perfumes but was later used to describe shopkeepers. The name Gandhi is said to have been derived from it.