- How do we get glimpses of the lives of ordinary people in ancient kingdoms?
a) From historical plays and accounts
b) From the king’s personal diaries
c) From temple inscriptions only
d) From the speeches of kingsAnswer: a) From historical plays and accounts
Explanation: Plays like those of Kalidasa and other historical texts provide glimpses of the daily lives and struggles of common people.
- In Kalidasa’s plays, what language was spoken by the king and most Brahmins?
a) Prakrit
b) Pali
c) Sanskrit
d) TamilAnswer: c) Sanskrit
Explanation: In Kalidasa’s plays, the king and Brahmins spoke Sanskrit, while common people spoke Prakrit.
- What happened when a fisherman found a ring in Kalidasa’s play Abhijnana Shakuntalam?
a) He gave it to Shakuntala
b) He was accused of theft
c) He sold it in the market
d) He kept it as a lucky charmAnswer: b) He was accused of theft
Explanation: In the play, the fisherman found a ring that had been swallowed by a fish. When he took it to the palace, the guards accused him of stealing it.
- Which traveler documented the plight of untouchables in ancient India?
a) Kalidasa
b) Fa Xian
c) Banabhatta
d) MegasthenesAnswer: b) Fa Xian
Explanation: Fa Xian, a Chinese pilgrim, noted that untouchables had to live outside the city and alert people of their presence.
- What did villagers provide to the king and his army when they passed through?
a) Weapons and soldiers
b) Gifts of curds, jaggery, and flowers
c) Large amounts of gold
d) Slaves and servantsAnswer: b) Gifts of curds, jaggery, and flowers
Explanation: Villagers offered food and flowers and provided fodder for the animals in the army.
- What effect did the king’s army have on the villages they passed through?
a) They helped develop the villages
b) They often left destruction in their wake
c) They recruited people for government jobs
d) They distributed gold and wealthAnswer: b) They often left destruction in their wake
Explanation: The king’s army caused damage to villages, trampling huts and scaring livestock.
- How were landless laborers and slaves referred to in the Tamil region?
a) Grihapatis
b) Kshatriyas
c) Kadaisiyar and Adimai
d) VaishyasAnswer: c) Kadaisiyar and Adimai
Explanation: In the Tamil region, landless laborers and slaves were called Kadaisiyar and Adimai, respectively.
- Who was responsible for tax collection in northern Indian villages?
a) The king’s army
b) The merchants
c) The Grama Bhojaka
d) The Brahmin priestsAnswer: c) The Grama Bhojaka
Explanation: The Grama Bhojaka was the headman and the largest landowner, responsible for tax collection.
- How did independent farmers in villages earn their living?
a) By working in government jobs
b) By cultivating their own land
c) By serving as tax collectors
d) By working as priestsAnswer: b) By cultivating their own land
Explanation: Independent farmers, called Grihapatis, owned smaller plots of land and cultivated them for their livelihood.
- What was the main function of blacksmiths, potters, and carpenters in villages?
a) They served in the king’s army
b) They built and repaired public structures
c) They crafted essential goods for daily use
d) They performed religious rituals
Answer: c) They crafted essential goods for daily use
Explanation: Blacksmiths, potters, and carpenters were important craftspersons who provided tools, utensils, and household goods
