1. What was the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)?
a) A type of iron tool
b) A fine-quality pottery
c) A special type of jewelry
d) A textile made in ancient India
Answer: b) A fine-quality pottery
Explanation: NBPW was a hard, wheel-made pottery with a shiny black surface, created using a high-temperature kiln.
2. Why is the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) significant in history?
a) It was used in military construction
b) It was used only by royal families
c) It was traded across various regions
d) It was mainly used for religious rituals
Answer: c) It was traded across various regions
Explanation: NBPW was a highly valued pottery type found in several archaeological sites across India, indicating its widespread trade.
3. Which two cities were famous for textile production in ancient India?
a) Taxila and Pataliputra
b) Mathura and Ujjain
c) Varanasi and Madurai
d) Harappa and Lothal
Answer: c) Varanasi and Madurai
Explanation: Varanasi in the north and Madurai in the south were major centers for textile production in ancient India.
4. What were ‘Shrenis’ in ancient India?
a) A type of currency
b) Guilds of craftspersons and merchants
c) A religious sect
d) A form of government taxation
Answer: b) Guilds of craftspersons and merchants
Explanation: Shrenis were associations of craftspersons and merchants that provided training, procured raw materials, and managed trade.
5. What additional function did Shrenis serve apart from organizing trade?
a) They acted as local governments
b) They functioned as banks
c) They controlled religious temples
d) They trained soldiers
Answer: b) They functioned as banks
Explanation: Shrenis also acted as banks where rich individuals deposited money, which was then invested or used to support religious institutions.
6. Where was Arikamedu located, and why was it important?
a) Near the Indus River, famous for weapons manufacturing
b) In present-day Puducherry, a major coastal trading settlement
c) In Bengal, known for its iron tools
d) In the Deccan Plateau, a hub for agriculture
Answer: b) In present-day Puducherry, a major coastal trading settlement
Explanation: Arikamedu was a coastal town where ships unloaded goods from distant lands, making it an important trade center.
7. What kind of evidence suggests that Arikamedu had trade links with Rome?
a) Indian inscriptions mentioning Roman kings
b) Discovery of Roman pottery, amphorae, and coins
c) Indian chariots found in Rome
d) Greek writings about Indian traders
Answer: b) Discovery of Roman pottery, amphorae, and coins
Explanation: Archaeological findings of Roman artifacts like amphorae, stamped red-glazed pottery, and coins indicate trade relations between Arikamedu and Rome.
8. How were spinning and weaving regulated in ancient times?
a) They were done only by male artisans
b) The work was supervised by a special official
c) The king personally managed textile workshops
d) It was a part-time activity for soldiers
Answer: b) The work was supervised by a special official
Explanation: According to the Arthashastra, workshops for spinning and weaving were under the supervision of a special official to ensure quality and proper wages.
9. What kind of women were employed in spinning and weaving workshops?
a) Only noblewomen
b) Only widows and retired women
c) Widows, differently-abled women, nuns, and others
d) Only women from royal families
Answer: c) Widows, differently-abled women, nuns, and others
Explanation: Women such as widows, differently-abled women, retired temple servants, and nuns were allowed to work in spinning and weaving workshops.
10. What was the punishment for a weaving official if he harassed a woman worker?
a) He was given a warning
b) He was fined
c) He was punished severely
d) He was exiled
Answer: c) He was punished severely
Explanation: If a weaving official looked at a woman inappropriately or talked about anything other than work, he was punished according to strict laws.
