UPSC Prelims 2019
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Kanganahalli

Kanganahalli, an archaeological site near Sannati in Karnataka, is renowned for containing the first and only known stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka with his name inscribed. A relief sculpture at this site depicts a royal figure with attendants and bears a Brahmi inscription reading 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka), making it a unique archaeological discovery that provides visual representation of the emperor.

Why other options are incorrect:
• Sanchi: Famous for the Great Stupa commissioned by Ashoka, but contains no inscribed stone portrait of the emperor.
• Shahbazgarhi: Site of Ashokan Rock Edicts in Kharosthi script promoting Dhamma, but lacks any portrait sculpture.
• Sohgaura: Known for a Mauryan-period copper-plate inscription about famine relief, not a relief sculpture of Ashoka.

📝 Short Notes: Kanganahalli and Ashokan Iconography

• Location: Kanganahalli is located near Sannati in Chitapur taluk, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka.
• Unique Feature: Contains the only known stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka with his name inscribed as 'Ranyo Ashoka' in Brahmi script.
• Historical Significance: Before this discovery, Ashoka was never depicted in sculpture with his name; Buddhist art traditionally avoided portraying the Buddha and key figures directly.
• Other Sculptures: The site also contains relief sculptures depicting Jataka tales, scenes from Buddha's life, and the Mahastupa at Sanchi.
• Period: The stupa and sculptures date to the 1st-3rd centuries CE, though the site was originally established during Ashoka's reign (3rd century BCE).
• Archaeological Discovery: Excavations revealed limestone slabs with inscriptions and sculptural panels, providing valuable insights into early Buddhist art and Mauryan history.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are defining features of Mahayana Buddhism, which emerged as a liberal and reform movement emphasizing universal salvation and compassionate Bodhisattvas.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Mahayana Buddhism deified the Buddha, portraying him as a transcendent, cosmic being with multiple manifestations, unlike Theravada's historical human Buddha.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Bodhisattva ideal is central to Mahayana, where enlightened beings postpone their own nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Mahayana introduced elaborate image worship, rituals, and devotional practices centered around Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, making Buddhism more accessible to lay followers.

📝 Short Notes: Mahayana vs Theravada Buddhism

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.

During the Gupta period, Vishti (forced labour) was recognized as a legitimate fiscal obligation where subjects rendered compulsory labour services to the State in lieu of tax payment. The Junagadh inscription explicitly lists Vishti alongside other revenue sources like Bali (tribute) and Bhaga (share of produce), confirming its status as a state income mechanism.

✅ Option 1 – Correct: Vishti was indeed regarded as a tax-in-kind, a compulsory labour service that constituted a revenue source for the State during the Gupta administration.

❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: Vishti was prevalent across the Gupta Empire, including Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions, as evidenced by inscriptional records from Junagadh (Kathiawar).

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: Being a form of forced extraction, Vishti did not entitle labourers to any wages; it was an unpaid compulsory service obligation.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: There is no historical evidence suggesting that the burden of Vishti was specifically assigned to the eldest son; it was a general obligation imposed on the subject population.

📝 Short Notes: Taxation System in Gupta Period

• The Gupta revenue system was largely agrarian-based, with land revenue being the primary source of state income.
• Taxes were collected both in kind (grain, produce) and in cash depending on regional practices.
• Forced labour (Vishti) was particularly burdensome on lower social strata and peasant communities.
• The Allahabad Pillar Inscription and various land grant records provide detailed insights into Gupta fiscal administration.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Sohgaura

Sohgaura is not a Harappan site; it is located in Uttar Pradesh and is famous for its copper-plate inscription written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, dating to the Mauryan period. The other three sites—Chanhudaro and Kot Diji in Sindh, Pakistan, and Desalpur in Gujarat, India—are all authentic Harappan sites.

📝 Short Notes: Harappan Sites