Hard

The Age of Reorganisation — Hard

15 questions 18 min PYQ-grade reasoning

Q1. Arrange the following events of the Age of Reorganisation in correct chronological order: I. Pushyamitra Shunga assassinates the last Maurya emperor II. Rise of the Kushanas in India under Kanishka III. Karikala rules the Chola kingdom (c. 2nd century CE) IV. Kharavela of the Chedis rules Kalinga (c. 1st century BCE)
- A. I, IV, III, II
- B. I, IV, II, III
- C. IV, I, III, II
- D. I, III, IV, II
Q2. Consider the following statements about the Mathura school of art: I. It developed in present-day Uttar Pradesh. II. It primarily used red sandstone for sculptures. III. It reflects more Greco-Roman influence than the Gandhara school. Which of the above are correct?
- A. I and II only
- B. II and III only
- C. I and III only
- D. All three
Q3. An archaeologist excavating an Indo-Greek site finds metal coins of four kinds. According to the chapter, the metals used for Indo-Greek coins were
- A. Iron, bronze, lead and tin
- B. Gold, silver, copper and nickel
- C. Brass, aluminium, gold and zinc
- D. Silver, mercury, iron and copper
Q4. Assertion (A): Kanishka's coins depicted both Buddha (with the inscription BODDO in Greek script) and Shiva with the bull Nandi. Reason (R): Kanishka's empire was largely confined to central Asia and had no contact with Indian religious traditions.
- 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, R is false.
- D. A is false, R is true.
Q5. Consider the following statements about Satavahana trade: I. Their trade networks reached as far as the Roman Empire. II. They exported spices, textiles, sandalwood and gold-plated pearls. III. Their imports included glass and perfumed ointments. Which is/are correct?
- A. I and II only
- B. II and III only
- C. I and III only
- D. All three
Q6. Why does the chapter conclude that the three crowned kingdoms of the South remained independent even at the height of Mauryan power?
- A. Because Sangam poems describe Mauryan defeats in the South
- B. Because Ashoka's edicts mention these south Indian kingdoms but his empire stopped at their borders
- C. Because the Cheras minted coins bearing Ashoka's image
- D. Because Megasthenes calls the Pandya kingdom a Mauryan province
Q7. Ravi reads that after Kovalan's execution at Madurai, Kannagi cursed the city and 'walked further west' to a kingdom where she was honoured as a goddess. According to Silappadikaram, that kingdom was the
- A. Chola kingdom
- B. Chera kingdom
- C. Satavahana kingdom
- D. Shunga kingdom
Q8. Statement A: The Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar were likely developed for Jain monks. Statement B: These caves are notable examples of 'rock-cut architecture'. Choose the correct option
- A. Only A is correct
- B. Only B is correct
- C. Both A and B are correct
- D. Neither A nor B is correct
Q9. According to the chapter, the most significant factor that contributed to the fragmentation of the Satavahana empire in the 3rd century CE was
- A. Roman invasion of the Deccan coast
- B. Weak central control and a gradual economic decline
- C. A long war with the Cholas over Karikala's Kallanai
- D. Forced conversion of nobles to Buddhism
Q10. Match each historical source with what it tells us about the Age of Reorganisation: A. Hathigumpha inscription 1. Kanishka's titles 'King of kings, son of God' B. Naneghat inscriptions 2. Achievements of King Kharavela of Kalinga C. Heliodorus pillar 3. A Satavahana widow queen performing Vedic rituals D. Kanishka's headless statue 4. An Indo-Greek ambassador praising Vasudeva
- A. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
- B. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
- C. A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
- D. A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
Q11. Statement A: After the Maurya breakup, many new kingdoms that emerged across the Subcontinent were often the earlier tributary kingdoms under Maurya overlordship. Statement B: These 'new' kingdoms then competed for territorial control, sometimes through matrimonial alliances and sometimes through warfare. Choose the correct option
- A. Only A is correct
- B. Only B is correct
- C. Both A and B are correct
- D. Neither A nor B is correct
Q12. Consider the following statements about the Pandyas of Madurai: I. Megasthenes' Indika mentions them as a prosperous kingdom with strong administration. II. Kharavela's Hathigumpha inscription states he received hundreds of pearls from the Pandya kingdom. III. They were an important naval power of the Subcontinent. Which is/are correct?
- A. I and II only
- B. I and III only
- C. II and III only
- D. All three
Q13. Priya is preparing a chart on the Shakas. According to the chapter, the period during which the Shakas (Indo-Scythians) ruled in India was
- A. From the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century BCE
- B. From the latter part of the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE
- C. From the 3rd century CE to the 7th century CE
- D. Only briefly, during the 1st century CE
Q14. Assertion (A): The Age of Reorganisation also witnessed the flourishing of Sanskrit literature, including the composition of major Indian texts such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Reason (R): Despite political conflict, the period saw remarkable cultural exchange and assimilation, with a dominance of Indian (especially Hindu and Buddhist) themes.
- 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, R is false.
- D. A is false, R is true.
Q15. Consider the following statements about Pushyamitra Shunga's rule: I. He founded the Shunga dynasty which ruled over parts of north and central India. II. His empire was larger than the previous Maurya empire. III. He maintained friendly relations with the Greeks after some initial military campaigns against them. Which is/are correct?
- A. I and II only
- B. I and III only
- C. II and III only
- D. All three

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