Question 1

The Milindapanha is a famous Pali dialogue on Buddhist philosophy held between King Menander I and which Buddhist monk?

Accepted Answer

Nagasena — The Milindapanha records a philosophical dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena, an important source for understanding Indo-Greek engagement with Buddhism in the northwest.

Question 2

Which Purana is explicitly divided into two major sections called Purva-khanda and Uttara-khanda and contains extensive geographical data on sacred sites (Tirthas)?

Accepted Answer

Padma Purana — The Padma Purana is structured with distinct khandas (sections) including extensive Tirtha-mahatmya (sacred-site glorification) content, making it a valuable, if legend-heavy, source for the historical geography of pilgrimage sites.

Question 3

The inscription of Heliodorus on the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar records his dedication to which deity?

Accepted Answer

Vasudeva — The Heliodorus Pillar inscription records that Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador from Taxila, dedicated the Garuda-topped pillar to Vasudeva (Krishna) and identifies himself as a Bhagavata — key evidence of early Vaishnavism's spread and Indo-Greek religious conversion.

Question 4

Which ancient Greek historian wrote Geographia, providing detailed coordinates of places across the Indian subcontinent during the 2nd century CE?

Accepted Answer

Ptolemy — Claudius Ptolemy's Geographia (2nd century CE) provided latitude/longitude-style coordinates for numerous Indian towns, rivers, and regions, making it an important (if sometimes distorted) source for reconstructing ancient Indian historical geography.

Question 5

The rock-cut caves of Barabar and Nagarjuni were dedicated by Ashoka and Dasharatha to the monks of which religious sect?

Accepted Answer

Ajivika sect — The Barabar and Nagarjuni hill caves near Gaya, among the earliest known rock-cut caves in India, were dedicated by Ashoka and his grandson Dasharatha to Ajivika monks — a now-extinct heterodox sect contemporary with early Buddhism and Jainism.

UGC NET History Practice Question

More Free UGC NET History Practice