UGC NET History Practice Question

In the study of ancient Indian epigraphy, the term Prashasti refers specifically to:

Royal decree granting land tax-exemptions

Commemorative text written in eulogistic praise of a king or patron ✓

Inscription recording private religious donations by merchants

Boundary stone marker designating village territories

A Prashasti is a panegyric or eulogy inscribed to glorify a ruler's achievements — the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta, composed by Harisena, is the classic example, distinct from land-grant charters (which record donations, not praise).

Which Chinese Buddhist traveler visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana and authored the work Si-Yu-Ki?

Faxian

Xuanzang ✓

Yijing

Song Yun

Xuanzang travelled through India c. 630-643 CE during Harsha's reign and recorded his observations in Si-Yu-Ki (Records of the Western Regions) — a key source for Harsha's administration, Nalanda, and contemporary religious life.

The archaeological discovery of Roman coin hoards in South India primarily indicates which economic phenomenon?

Direct military conquest of Southern India by Rome

Balance of trade heavily in favor of South India during the Sangam Age ✓

Adoption of Roman monetary standards by the Sangam Cheras

Introduction of silver standard coinage by Roman traders

Large hoards of Roman gold and silver coins found across South India (e.g., Coimbatore, Madurai) reflect Rome importing far more from India (spices, textiles, gems) than it exported — Pliny the Elder himself complained of this drain of Roman wealth.

Which Vedic auxiliary text (Vedanga) deals explicitly with metrics and poetic meters?

Shiksha

Kalpa

Chhanda ✓

Nirukta

Chhanda (metrics) is one of the six Vedangas, dealing with the syllabic patterns of Vedic verse. The other five are Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), and Jyotisha (astronomy).

The inscription located at Boghazkoy (Asia Minor) dated to around 1400 BCE mentions which set of Vedic deities as treaty witnesses?

Agni, Soma, Yama, Varuna

Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Nasatyas ✓

Rudra, Maruts, Surya, Pushan

Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, Indra

The Hittite-Mitanni treaty found at Boghazkoy invokes Indra, Varuna, Mitra, and the Nasatyas (Ashvins) — names also central to the Rigveda — used as key evidence for the shared Indo-Iranian origin of Vedic religion and for dating the Vedic period.

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