24th April Static Quiz 2021 (History)

Solution: (a) Context: Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period as many Jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period. Hence the royal power had increased along with the increase in the size of the kingdom.

The king performed various rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his position. They include Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpeya (chariot race). The kings also assumed titles like Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi, (lord of all earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler) to showcase his power.

Solution: (d)
Learning: Option B: There is a hymn in the form of a dialogue between sage Vishvamitra, and two rivers, (Beas and Sutlej) that were worshipped as goddesses.
Option C: The most prominent river of the Rigveda is the Sarasvati, next to the Indus. Option A: The Ganga and Yamuna are named only once.

Solution: (a) Justification: Statement 1: They cleared the heavy jungle with the help of iron axes. Of the plough share no example has so far been found from this period, though the subsequent period has yielded examples.
Statement 2: The excavations at Hastinapura brought to light the remains of rice

Solution: (a) Justification: Under the Vajapeya sacrifice, the king was expected to win the chariot race and was then proclaimed and installed to the high office. It is, however, important to note that in the Vedic period the Väjapeya was of lesser political importance than the Räjasüya. In the later Vedic period the Väjapeya, however, obtained a higher rank than the Rajasuya because it was believed that by performing the former, one secures the imperial position, while performing the latter, one attains to mere royalty. Another important feature of the sacrifice was the Ratnin oblations, which were offered by the king to the Ratnins, (important courtiers and officials) by repairing to their houses. In the epic period, the royal oath formed an important part of the coronation ceremony.

Solution: (d) Learning: Some of the republics consisted of only one tribe like the Sakyas, Licchavis, and Mallas. In these republics the power of decision vested with the Public Assembly which was composed of the tribal representatives or head of families All decisions were by a majority vote. Apart from republics, there were also monarchical forms of government. The Buddhist literature Anguttara Nikaya gives a list of sixteen great kingdoms called ‘Sixteen Mahajanapadas’. In the course of time, the small and weak kingdoms either submitted to the stronger rulers or gradually got eliminated. Finally, in the mid 6th century B.C., only four kingdoms – Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha survived.