1. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the codes given below. (JUNE 2012)

Codes:
(1) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
(2) A-I, B-IV, C-III, D-II
(3) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
(4) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

Answer: 1

The correct answer is (1): A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III

This is about coins and religious symbols used by Indo-Greek and Kushana rulers, which are important sources for reconstructing ancient Indian history. By matching each ruler with the deity or symbol represented on their coinage, we can identify the correct option.

A. Agathocles → II. Samkarshana
Agathocles was an Indo-Greek ruler of the 2nd century BCE. He is especially famous because some of his coins depict early Indian deities. Among these were Samkarshana (Balarama) and Vasudeva (Krishna), making them some of the earliest numismatic representations of Hindu divinities. Therefore, Agathocles matches with Samkarshana.

B. Kadphises I → I. Buddha
Kadphises I (Kujula Kadphises) was the founder of Kushana power in India. During the early Kushana phase, coinage began showing Indian religious influences, including Buddhist associations. In traditional matching questions of ancient Indian numismatics, Kadphises I is linked here with Buddha.

C. Vima Kadphises → IV. Shiva
Vima Kadphises, successor of Kadphises I, issued a large number of gold coins. His coins often show the ruler on one side and the deity Shiva (Oesho) on the reverse, sometimes with the bull Nandi. This reflects the growing importance of Shaivism under the Kushanas. Hence, Vima Kadphises matches with Shiva.

D. Kanishka I → III. Atash
Kanishka I issued coins depicting deities from many traditions—Greek, Iranian, and Indian—showing the cosmopolitan nature of the Kushana Empire. One of the Iranian deities shown on his coins was Atash, the Zoroastrian god/personification of sacred fire. Therefore, Kanishka I matches with Atash.

2. In which one of the following ancient literary works a separate section of painting is found? (JUNE 2012)

(1) Panchasiddhantika
(2) Vishnudharmottara Purana
(3) Panchatantra
(4) Natyashastra

Answer: 2

The correct answer is (2) Vishnudharmottara Purana

Among ancient Indian literary works, the Vishnudharmottara Purana is especially significant because it contains a separate and systematic section on painting, known as the Chitrasutra. This text is one of the most important classical Indian sources for the theory and practice of visual arts. The Chitrasutra appears in the third khanda (book) of the Vishnudharmottara Purana and deals extensively with principles of painting, image-making, iconography, proportion, color use, composition, emotional expression, and aesthetic ideals. Because of this, historians of Indian art often treat it as a foundational treatise on painting.

The Chitrasutra discusses how a painter should understand anatomy, gestures, moods, postures, line drawing, shading, and the use of colors. It also links painting with other arts such as dance, music, and sculpture, showing the integrated nature of Indian aesthetics. The text emphasizes that a true artist must understand multiple disciplines before mastering painting. This makes the Vishnudharmottara Purana unique among ancient Indian texts for its highly developed art theory.

The other options are not correct for this question. Panchasiddhantika is an astronomical work by Varahamihira dealing with five astronomical schools, not painting. Panchatantra is a famous collection of moral and political animal stories. Natyashastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, primarily concerns drama, dance, music, acting, and stagecraft, though it contains aesthetic ideas relevant to art in general, it does not have a distinct dedicated section on painting like the Chitrasutra.

Therefore, the ancient literary work in which a separate section of painting is found is Vishnudharmottara Purana.

Correct Option: (2)

3. It is generally accepted that a special feature of the period between 200 BC and 300 AD is the increase in external trade. Which of the following factors did not assist in the increase? (JUNE 2012)

(1) From a political point of view India had become one
(2) The Mauryas had constructed various roads and introduced uniform system of administration and this helped in increase in trade
(3) Indo-Greek rulers helped by establishing close relations with countries of the Mediterranean and West Asia
(4) The Saka, Parthian and Kusana rulers helped by establishing close ties with Central Asian rulers

Answer: 1

The correct answer is (1): “From a political point of view India had become one.”

The period between 200 BCE and 300 CE is widely recognized by historians as a phase of remarkable expansion in external trade, especially with Central Asia, the Roman world, Southeast Asia, and China. Trade routes by land and sea flourished, ports expanded, Roman gold entered India, and merchant guilds became increasingly important. However, the statement that India had become politically one during this period is not correct, and therefore it is the factor that did not assist in the growth of trade.

After the decline of the Maurya Empire in the 2nd century BCE, India was not politically unified. Instead, the subcontinent was divided among several regional and foreign-origin dynasties such as the Shungas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, and Kushanas in the north and northwest, while southern India had the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas. Since no single empire controlled the entire subcontinent for most of 200 BCE–300 CE, political unity cannot be considered the chief reason for trade expansion.

Option (2) is historically valid. The Mauryan state had earlier developed roads such as the Uttarapatha, maintained routes, encouraged administrative uniformity, and improved communication systems. Even after their fall, this infrastructure continued to facilitate internal and external commerce. Thus Mauryan administrative and road networks indirectly supported later trade growth.

Option (3) is also correct. The Indo-Greek rulers connected northwestern India more closely with the Hellenistic world, West Asia, and Mediterranean commercial circuits. Their political presence helped cultural and commercial contacts between India and foreign markets.

Option (4) is likewise correct. The Saka rulers, Parthian rulers, and especially the Kushana rulers controlled routes linking India with Central Asia and the Silk Route. Under rulers like Kanishka I, overland trade with China and western Asia expanded significantly.

Therefore, because India was not politically unified during most of this period, the statement in option (1) is the factor that did not assist the increase in external trade.

Correct Option: (1)

4. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the codes given below. (JUNE 2012)

Codes:
(1) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
(2) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
(3) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
(4) A-I, B-IV, C-III, D-II

Answer: 1

The correct answer is (1): A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

This question tests knowledge of important ancient Indian archaeological and religious sites. By identifying the unique feature associated with each site, we can correctly match the lists.

A. Sanchi Stupa → III. Contained the relics of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana
Sanchi is one of the most famous Buddhist monuments in India, originally commissioned by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Excavations at Sanchi, especially at Stupa No. 3, revealed relic caskets identified with Sariputra and Maudgalyayana (Moggallana), two chief disciples of Gautama Buddha. These relics made Sanchi an important pilgrimage and sacred center. Therefore, Sanchi matches with statement III.

B. Nalanda → I. Tallest Buddhist structure
Nalanda was the celebrated ancient Buddhist mahavihara and international center of learning in Bihar. Archaeological remains include monasteries, temples, and large brick stupas. The great temple structure often identified as Temple No. 3 rose in multiple stages and became one of the tallest Buddhist structures of ancient India. Hence Nalanda matches with statement I.

C. Junnar Caves → IV. Rock cut Chaitya hall with circular plan
Junnar in Maharashtra is an important early Buddhist cave complex with numerous excavations. Among its distinctive architectural remains is a rock-cut chaitya hall with a circular plan, an unusual feature in Buddhist cave architecture. This makes Junnar correctly matched with statement IV.

D. Ellora Caves → II. Represents Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina religions
Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage cave complex famous for its religious diversity. Excavated between the 6th and 10th centuries CE, it includes Buddhist caves (1–12), Hindu caves (13–29), and Jaina caves (30–34). It is one of the finest examples of peaceful coexistence of multiple faiths in stone architecture. Therefore, Ellora matches with statement II.