Trade and Commerce – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

Trade: Definition and Phases

1. Trade is best defined as the process of:
A. Agricultural production only
B. Tax collection by the state
C. Urbanization of villages
D. Collection, distribution, and exchange of goods

2. Which among the following factors does NOT directly influence trade?
A. Nature and quantity of production
B. Transport facilities
C. Safety and security of traders
D. Religious conversion policies

3. Match List I with List II regarding factors affecting trade.

A- A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
B- A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
C- A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
D- A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

4. Assertion (A): Trade in early medieval India involved only merchants.
Reason (R): Peasants, artisans, and political authorities also had a stake in trade.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) true, (R) false
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

5. Political authorities had an interest in trade primarily because:
A. They were artisans
B. They managed village production
C. They transported goods
D. Taxes on commercial goods generated revenue

6. Early medieval trade history is broadly divided into:
A. Three phases
B. Four phases
C. One continuous phase
D. Two major phases

7. Match List I with List II regarding phases of early medieval trade.

A- A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
B- A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
C- A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
D- A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

8. The first phase of early medieval trade (c.700–900 A.D.) witnessed:
A. Flourishing urbanization
B. Expansion of metallic currency
C. Deep monetary penetration
D. Relative decline in trade and urban centres

9. Assertion (A): Metallic currency became scarce during c.700–900 A.D.
Reason (R): The period witnessed a relative decline in trade and urban centres.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation
C. (A) true, (R) false
D. (A) false, (R) true

10. A somewhat closed village economy is mainly associated with:
A. Mauryan period
B. Gupta period
C. c.700–900 A.D.
D. c.900–1300 A.D.

11. The second phase (c.900–1300 A.D.) is characterized by:
A. Decline in metallic coins
B. Reduced urban growth
C. Village isolation
D. Revival of trade within and outside India

12. Which among the following statements about c.900–1300 A.D. is correct?
A. Trade completely disappeared
B. Coins became scarcer than before
C. Urban centres collapsed
D. Most earlier declining trends were reversed

13. Match List I with List II regarding historical developments.

A- A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
B- A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
C- A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
D- A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

14. Assertion (A): c.900–1300 A.D. saw revival only in overseas trade.
Reason (R): Trade expanded both within India and in relation to foreign countries.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) true, (R) false
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

15. Compared to the period c.700–900 A.D., metallic coins in c.900–1300 A.D. were:
A. Completely absent
B. More scarce
C. Made only of gold
D. Less scarce

16. Despite revival, the period c.900–1300 A.D. did NOT witness:
A. Growth in trade
B. Revival of urban centres
C. Expansion in agriculture
D. A deeply penetrated monetary economy

17. Match List I with List II regarding historical comparisons.

A- A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
B- A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
C- A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
D- A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

18. Assertion (A): The monetary economy of c.900–1300 A.D. was deeper than that of c.200 B.C.–A.D.300.
Reason (R): The five centuries after the Mauryas saw a stronger monetary penetration.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) true, (R) false
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

19. The revival of trade in c.900–1300 A.D. influenced:
A. Only religion
B. Only military administration
C. Only village customs
D. Urban growth and agricultural expansion

20. Which of the following best summarizes early medieval trade patterns?
A. Trade continuously declined from 700–1300 A.D.
B. Trade was entirely absent during the first phase
C. Monetary economy was strongest during c.700–900 A.D.
D. Early medieval trade moved from relative decline to revival between c.700–1300 A.D.

The First Phase (A.D. 700-900)

1. Which of the following developments is most closely associated with the period A.D. 750–1000 in India?
A. Decline of land grants to officials
B. Expansion of direct peasant ownership
C. Growth of a hierarchy of landlords through land grants
D. Complete abolition of intermediary rights

2. Match List I with List II regarding dynasties and regions during A.D. 750–1000.

A- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
B- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
C- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
D- a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv

3. The term ‘thakkura’ in early medieval India primarily referred to:
A. A graded state official with landed interests
B. A Buddhist monk
C. A guild merchant
D. A village artisan

4. Assertion (A): Peasants during A.D. 750–1000 were often left with little surplus for trade.
Reason (R): Landed intermediaries extracted much of the agricultural surplus.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

5. Which historian prominently highlighted coin scarcity and trade decline in Indian Feudalism (1965)?
A. D.N. Jha
B. Romila Thapar
C. Irfan Habib
D. R.S. Sharma

6. Match List I with List II concerning terms related to media of exchange.

A- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
C- a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
D- a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i

7. Which region has been cited as showing complete absence of coins between A.D. 600–1200?
A. Gujarat
B. Kashmir
C. Orissa
D. Punjab

8. Assertion (A): Poor-quality copper coins appeared in Kashmir from the 8th century onward.
Reason (R): This has been linked to agricultural growth and declining trade.

A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. A is false but R is true
C. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
D. A is true but R is false

9. The concept of “Indian Feudalism” is most closely associated with:
A. Bipan Chandra
B. R.S. Sharma
C. Satish Chandra
D. Harbans Mukhia

10. Which of the following was NOT considered a medium of exchange in mid-Eastern India according to historians challenging coin scarcity?
A. Harikela silver coins
B. Cowries
C. Churni
D. Leather tokens

11. Match List I with List II concerning causes of trade decline.

A- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D- a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii

12. The word ‘vangali’ reflected:
A. Military supremacy
B. Urban prosperity
C. Religious conflict
D. Miserable condition of common people

13. Which Jain text of the eighth century is attributed to Haribhadra Suri?
A. Rajatarangini
B. Harshacharita
C. Samaraicchakaha
D. Dashakumaracharita

14. Assertion (A): Contemporary Jain texts mention busy towns and brisk trade in the eighth century.
Reason (R): These texts relied heavily on earlier traditions and may not reflect contemporary reality.

A. A is false but R is true
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

15. Arab raids in the seventh century affected which western Indian ports?
A. Surat and Cambay
B. Sopara and Goa
C. Broach and Thana
D. Calicut and Cochin

16. Match List I with List II regarding archaeological urban decline.

A- a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv
B- a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv
C- a-ii, b-iv, c-i, d-iii
D- a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii

17. Which among the following ports on the Saurashtra coast was destroyed in the eighth century?
A. Bharuch
B. Sopara
C. Valabhi
D. Tamralipti

18. Assertion (A): The early medieval Indian economy became increasingly self-sufficient.
Reason (R): Restrictions on producer mobility and decline in coinage encouraged local production.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

19. Which Chinese traveler referred to depopulation of cities in India?
A. Fa-Hien
B. I-Tsing
C. Marco Polo
D. Hiuen Tsang

20. Which of the following commodities continued to be traded due to local necessity?
A. Cotton textiles
B. Wheat and rice in bulk
C. Salt and oil
D. Luxury ceramics

21. Match List I with List II concerning urban sites and regions.

A- a-ii, b-iv, c-i, d-iii
B- a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
C- a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv
D- a-ii, b-iv, c-i, d-iii

22. Which of the following best explains the rise of rural economy during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Industrial growth
B. Localization of needs and reduced mobility of producers
C. Expansion of maritime empires
D. Increased monetisation

23. Which work narrates a story of merchants captured by Arabs near northwestern routes?
A. Mudrarakshasa
B. Rajatarangini
C. Kathasaritsagara
D. Prithviraj Raso

24. Assertion (A): Long-distance trade completely disappeared in A.D. 750–1000.
Reason (R): Luxury goods like horses and ivory were still traded.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

25. Which among the following goods was commonly involved in long-distance trade?
A. Grain
B. Daily-use textiles
C. Precious and semi-precious stones
D. Vegetables

26. Match List I with List II concerning officials and hierarchy.

A- a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii
B- a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
D- a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv

27. Which empire learned silk production in the sixth century, reducing India’s silk trade?
A. Gupta Empire
B. Abbasid Empire
C. Kushan Empire
D. Byzantine Empire

28. Assertion (A): Frequent warfare among local chiefs adversely affected trade.
Reason (R): Political fragmentation increased insecurity for merchants.

A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
C. A is false but R is true
D. A is true but R is false

29. Pehoa, mentioned as a pocket of trade, is located near:
A. Agra
B. Jaipur
C. Karnal
D. Gwalior

30. According to archaeological evidence, approximately how many sites indicate urban decay between the 3rd and 8th centuries?
A. 40
B. 75
C. 100
D. 140

31. Which among the following best explains the emergence of intermediary landlords during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Peasant revolts against kings
B. Growth of industrial centres
C. Widespread grants of land to officials, priests, and warrior chiefs
D. Decline of temple institutions

32. Match List I with List II concerning historians and ideas.

A- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D- a-iv, b-ii, c-iii, d-i

33. The relative dearth of metallic coins during A.D. 750–1000 contributed primarily to:
A. Growth of capitalist relations
B. Strengthening of localized economic trends
C. Rise of centralized markets
D. Expansion of guild-based trade

34. Assertion (A): The economy of early medieval India became increasingly localized.
Reason (R): Peasants retained a large marketable surplus and traded widely.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. A is false but R is true
C. A is true but R is true but R is not the correct explanation
D. A is true but R is false

35. Which of the following dynasties ruled Eastern India during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Gurjara Pratiharas
B. Rashtrakutas
C. Chalukyas
D. Palas

36. Match List I with List II concerning ports and disruptions.

A- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
C- a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
D- a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i

37. Which among the following towns lacks strong archaeological evidence despite its medieval fame?
A. Pataliputra
B. Vaishali
C. Kanauj
D. Bhita

38. Assertion (A): Trade activities in mid-Eastern India necessarily benefited peasants.
Reason (R): Indigenous communities actively dominated maritime commerce.

A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
B. A is true but R is false
C. Both A and R are false
D. A is false but R is true

39. Which commodity brought India considerable gold from western trade before decline set in?
A. Salt
B. Pepper
C. Horses
D. Silk

40. Which of the following best reflects the meaning of the term ‘closed economy’ in early medieval India?
A. Dependence on global trade
B. Strong urban industrialization
C. Self-sufficient villages with limited exchange
D. State monopoly over markets

41. Match List I with List II regarding texts and authors.

A- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
C- a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
D- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv

42. Which among the following statements is correct regarding trade during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Trade in daily-use goods expanded significantly
B. Luxury trade continued despite general decline
C. Villages specialized in export agriculture
D. Grain trade dominated the economy

43. The decline of the Roman Empire in the fourth century adversely affected India mainly by:
A. Weakening Buddhism
B. Decreasing peasant production
C. Reducing western commercial demand
D. Ending land grants

44. Assertion (A): Arabs later contributed to maritime trade growth in India after the tenth century.
Reason (R): Early Arab sea raids had initially disrupted commerce.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is false but R is true
D. A is true but R is false

45. Which among the following was NOT commonly traded according to the passage?
A. Salt
B. Oil
C. Horses
D. Large quantities of grain

46. Match List I with List II concerning sites of urban decline.

A- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv
C- a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
D- a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii

47. Which factor made northwestern overland routes unsafe for Indian merchants?
A. Gupta invasions
B. Huna raids
C. Tibetan expansion
D. Arab expansion

48. Assertion (A): Archaeological evidence supports the argument of urban decay in early medieval India.
Reason (R): Excavations reveal poorer structures and fewer antiquities in major urban centres.

A. A is true but R is false
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
C. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
D. A is false but R is true

49. The rise of numerous restrictions on mobility of actual producers mainly resulted in:
A. Expansion of export economy
B. Rise of capitalism
C. Satisfaction of local needs locally
D. Increased monetisation

50. Which among the following is associated with the Deccan region during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Palas
B. Gurjara Pratiharas
C. Cholas
D. Rashtrakutas

51. Match List I with List II concerning causes of trade disruption.

A- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D- a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

52. Which historian first suggested the idea of reduced trade and coin scarcity in early medieval India?
A. R.S. Sharma
B. Romila Thapar
C. Irfan Habib
D. D.D. Kosambi

53. Which among the following reflects the feudal tendency of early medieval India?
A. Strong urban guilds controlling politics
B. Intermediary landlords extracting peasant surplus
C. Complete monetisation of economy
D. Elimination of landed elites

54. Assertion (A): The common man largely benefited from maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
Reason (R): Maritime trade was mainly confined to ruling elites.

A. A is true but R is false
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
C. A is false but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

55. Which among the following cities is associated with the term ‘desertion of urban centres’?
A. Delhi
B. Agra
C. Vaishali
D. Lahore

56. Match List I with List II concerning traded commodities.

A- a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
B- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
D- a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i

57. Which among the following best describes the economy between A.D. 750–1000?
A. Industrial-commercial economy
B. Capitalist economy
C. Agrarian economy dominated by landed intermediaries
D. Fully urbanized economy

58. Assertion (A): Coin moulds are frequently found in archaeological remains of A.D. 750–1000.
Reason (R): Coinage quality and quantity improved significantly during this period.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B. A is true but R is false
C. Both A and R are false
D. A is false but R is true

59. Ahar, identified as a pocket of trade, is located near:
A. Meerut
B. Aligarh
C. Agra
D. Bulandshahr

60. Which among the following most accurately characterizes commercial activity during A.D. 750–1000?
A. It catered primarily to peasants
B. It disappeared entirely
C. It became entirely state-controlled
D. It largely catered to feudal lords and intermediaries

61. Which among the following officials developed landed interests during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Village priests alone
B. Maha-mandala-vara and other graded officials
C. Only Buddhist monks
D. Foreign merchants only

62. Match List I with List II concerning regions and coinage.

A- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
C- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
D- a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii

63. The emergence of a hierarchy of landlords in early medieval India was mainly due to:
A. Rise of urban guilds
B. Spread of Buddhism
C. Industrial expansion
D. Widespread land grants

64. Assertion (A): Trade with Southeast Asia fully compensated for the decline in western trade.
Reason (R): There is uncertainty regarding the extent and nature of such compensation.

A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is true
D. Both A and R are false

65. Which among the following scholars is associated with the debate on Indian feudalism?
A. D.P. Chattopadhyaya
B. Burton Stein
C. R.S. Sharma
D. Jadunath Sarkar

66. Match List I with List II regarding urban centres and present states.

A- a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
B- a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
C- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
D- a-i, b-iv, c-iii, d-ii

67. Which of the following contributed to discouraging traders in less productive areas?
A. Strong naval protection
B. Reduced taxation
C. Loot, plunder, and excessive transit taxes by landlords
D. Expansion of imperial highways

68. Assertion (A): Urban decay is regarded as a symptom of commercial decline.
Reason (R): Towns were centres of craft production and commerce.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

69. Which among the following best reflects the argument against coin scarcity in mid-Eastern India?
A. Use of paper currency
B. Availability of cowries and Harikela silver coins
C. State-sponsored mints everywhere
D. Heavy gold circulation

70. Which among the following was NOT a luxury trade item during A.D. 750–1000?
A. Ivory
B. Precious stones
C. Horses
D. Salt

71. Match List I with List II concerning causes and consequences.

A- a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
B- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
C- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
D- a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

72. Which among the following dynasties was involved in the tripartite struggle for Kanauj?
A. Cholas
B. Hoysalas
C. Paramaras
D. Rashtrakutas

73. The term ‘churni’ referred to:
A. Copper coins
B. Barter exchange
C. Tax collection
D. Gold or silver dust used as exchange medium

74. Assertion (A): India’s western coast remained unaffected by Arab activities in the seventh century.
Reason (R): Arab raids disrupted maritime activity on ports like Broach and Thana.

A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
B. A is true but R is false
C. Both A and R are false
D. A is false but R is true

75. Which among the following best explains the decay of craftsmen in urban centres?
A. Excessive foreign demand
B. Growth of capitalism
C. Decline in demand for craft goods due to reduced trade
D. Technological backwardness alone

76. Match List I with List II concerning historical works and themes.

A- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
C- a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
D- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv

77. Which among the following was a major effect of restricted producer mobility?
A. Increased long-distance trade
B. Growth of local self-sufficiency
C. Rise of merchant capitalism
D. Rapid urbanization

78. Assertion (A): Peasants actively controlled the benefits of long-distance trade.
Reason (R): Commercial activity mainly served feudal lords and landed intermediaries.

A. A is true but R is false
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
C. A is false but R is true
D. Both A and R are false

79. Which among the following urban sites is located in Gujarat?
A. Paunar
B. Eran
C. Prabhas Patan
D. Bhita

80. Which among the following statements about coinage in A.D. 750–1000 is correct?
A. Coins were abundant and high quality
B. Coins were fewer in quantity and often poor in quality
C. Metallic currency replaced barter completely
D. Gold coins circulated widely in villages

81. Match List I with List II regarding dynasties and political regions.

A- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
B- a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
C- a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
D- a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv

82. Which among the following historians questioned the universality of the Indian feudalism model?
A. R.S. Sharma
B. Harbans Mukhia
C. D.D. Kosambi
D. B.N. Puri

83. Which factor led to disruption in Central Asian trade routes?
A. Gupta invasions
B. Mongol expansion
C. Roman collapse
D. Conflicts between Tibetans and Chinese

84. Assertion (A): Metal money circulation remained substantial during A.D. 750–1000.
Reason (R): The decline of metallic currency affected trading activities.

A. A is true but R is false
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
C. A is false but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

85. Which among the following best describes the nature of long-distance trade in this period?
A. Dominated by grains and textiles
B. Focused mainly on luxury commodities
C. Entirely village-based
D. Controlled by peasants

86. Match List I with List II concerning archaeological evidence of decline.

A- a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B- a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
C- a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
D- a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i

87. Which among the following best explains why grain trade was limited?
A. State prohibition on food transport
B. Lack of agricultural production
C. Village self-sufficiency reduced need for exchange
D. Foreign merchants monopolized grain markets

88. Assertion (A): Kanauj was politically important in early medieval India.
Reason (R): It was central to conflicts involving the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

89. Pehoa, known for trade activity in early medieval India, is located in present-day:
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Rajasthan
C. Punjab
D. Haryana

90. Which among the following most accurately summarizes the economy of A.D. 750–1000?
A. Fully monetized commercial economy
B. Urban-industrial economy dominated by guilds
C. Economy centered on maritime capitalism
D. Agrarian, localized economy dominated by landed intermediaries