Question Discussion & Solution

The Rigveda is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns.

• It is one of the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known as the Vedas.
• The text is a collection of 1,028 hymns and 10,600 verses, organized into ten books called mandalas.
• Samaveda mentions about music.
• It is also called the book of melodies.
• It is a part of four Vedas namely Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharvana Veda.
• It’s Upaveda Gandharva Veda.

🔑 Key Points

• Charaka was one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine.
• He is credited with writing the 'Charaka Samhita', a foundational text of Ayurveda, earning him the title 'Father of Indian Medicine'.

The correct answer is Simuka.

Key Points

• The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka.
• The Satavahanas established their independent rule after the decline of the Mauryas.
• Satavahanas ruled over parts of western and central India.
• They were also known as the Andhras.
• The Puranas and inscriptions remain important sources for the history of Satavahanas.
• Important inscriptions:
  • The Nasik and Nanaghad inscriptions throw much light on the reign of Gautamiputra Satakarni. 
• Satvahana rulers worshipped a large number of Vaishnava gods such as Krishna, Vasudeva, and others.
• The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit.

Additional Information

• Gautamiputra Satakarni:
  • He was the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.
  • He took his name after his mother.
  • He ruled for a period of 24 years from 106 to 130 A.D.
• Hala:
  • ​He was the 17th King of the Satavahana dynasty.
  • He wrote books on Gathasaptasati and Sattasai.
• Vasudeva:
  • ​The founder of the Kanva dynasty
  • He assassinated the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty.

Option 4 is NOT correct.

Hint

• Harappan beads were made of gold, copper, shell, lapis, lazuli, ivory and a variety of semi-precious stones. 
• Archaeologists have identified bead makers shops on the basis of assemblages of unfinished objects.
• Beads were found at Chanhudaro. But, not in Banawali. So, option 4 is NOT correct. 

The correct answer is Fine variety of barley.

Key Points

• Lothal is situated near the village of Saragwala in the Dholka Taluka of Ahmedabad district, Gujarat.
• Lothal was a port town during the Harappan civilization located along the Bhogava river.
• It was discovered by S.R. Rao in 1953.
• Major Findings from Lothal:
  • Dockyard
  • Double burial
  • Rice husk
  • Fire altars
  • Painted jars
  • Modern-day Chess
  • Terracotta figure of the ship
  • Instruments for measuring 45, 90, and 180-degree angles

Additional Information

• The Indus Valley Civilization was spread from present-day North-East Afghanistan to Pakistan and North-West India.
• The civilization flourished in the river basins of the Ghaggar-Hakra river and the Indus.
• Indus valley civilization is one of the four oldest civilizations in the world.
• It is also known as Harappan Civilization and is well-known for its organized planning based on the grid system.
• There are seven important cities in the Indus valley civilization:
  • Mohanjodaro
  • Harappa
  • Kalibangan
  • Lothal
  • Chanhudaru
  • Dholavira
  • Banawali