Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Sixteen Mahajanapadas Quiz

 Q.1. In ancient India the only Mahajanapada to be located in south India was 

(A) Kamboja

(B) Asmaka

(C) Matsya 

(D) Surasena

Q.2. The capital of Panchala Mahajanapada was Ahichatra which is in the state of 

(A) Bihar

(B) Punjab

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Gujarat

Q.3. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?  

(1) Gandhara

(2) Avanti

(3) Magadha

(4) Kosala

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 2 and 4

(C) 3 and 4 

(D) 1, 3 and 4

Q.4. Which among the following was the capital of Mahajanapada of Vatsa?

(A) Kausambi

(B) Viratnagar

(C) Kusinara

(D) Rajapura

Q.5. Which of the following Buddhist text has referred to the existence of the 16 Mahajanapadas on the sixth century BC?

(A) Khuddaka Nikaya 

(B) Anguttara Nikaya

(C) Sutta Piṭaka

(D) None of the above

Answer

Q. 1. - B

Asmaka or Assaka is one of the 16 Janapadas that existed in the sixth century BC in ancient India. It included areas in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. 

The capital of the Assaka was Potana or Potali. It is identified with present-day Bodhan in Telangana. 

The ancient Assaka janapada was located along the Godavari river 

Q.2. - C

Capital of Panchala was Ahichatra (also known as Adhichhatra and Chhatravati, near present-day Aonla) tehsil of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh. 

Q.3. - C

A large number of Buddha's sermons were delivered in Sravasti which served as the ancient capital of Kosala during the reign of king Presenajit.

Q. 4. - A

The capital of Vatsa Mahajanapada was the city of Kauśāmbī or Kosāmbī, on the Yamunā river. 

Q. 5. - B

Angutara Nikaya, a Buddhist Pali scripture mentions 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas at the beginning of the 6th century BCE in India. 


Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Ajivikas and Other Ascetics Quiz

Q.1. Ajivika sect was founded by which of the following?

(A) Ajita Kesakambalin

(B) Pūraṇa Kassapa, 

(C) Makkhali Gosala

(D) Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta 

Q.2. Which among the following rulers is associated with the Sudama Caves in Bihar?

(A) Chandragupta Maurya

(B) Bimbisara

(C) Bindusara

(D) Ashoka

Q.3.  "As long as he lives a man should live happily

And drink ghee, though he run into debt,

For when the body is turned to ashes

How can there be any return to life?”

This rejection of after-life is an aphorism of which of the following sects?

(A). Kapalika sect. 

(B) Sunyavada of Nagarjun

(C)  Ajivikas. 

(D) Charvakas


Q.1. Answer: C

Notes: Ajivikas were a religious sect founded in the 5th century BC by Goshala Maskariputra (Makkhali Gosala), a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavir. 

Q.2. Answer: D

Notes: The 3rd century BC Mauryan emperor Ashoka had dedicated the Sudama cave as evidenced in Brahmi featuring his protocol name (Priyadarsin who brings joy) found at the cave entrance. 

Ashoka had dedicated the caves of Sudama to the "Ajivikas" in the 12th year of his reign. 

Q.3. Answer: D

Notes: Charvaka is an ancient Indian philosophical system which propounded materialism and rejected the notions of an afterlife. According to the Charvaka school of thought, all religious observance and morality were useless. The school encouraged making most of the life and seeking after the happiness that can be found in life.


IT Quiz


Q. 1. The term used to describe an email that is targeting a specific person is known as

(A) Spam

(B) Phishing

(c) Vishing

(D) Spear phishing

 

Q. 2. Machine learning is a subset of which of the following.

(A) Deep learning

(B) Data learning

(C) Artificial intelligence

(D) None of the above


Q. 3. What is the term used when a cybercriminal sends a fraudulent email disguised as being from a legitimate, trusted source?

(A) Trojan

(B) vishing

(C) Phishing

(D) backdoor

 

Q. 4. Who is the father of Machine Learning?

(A) Geoffrey Everest Hinton

(B) Howard Hinton

(C) George Everest

(D) Colin Clarkf

 

Q. 5.Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is used to distinguish one person from another and verify your identity. Which of the following is an example of PII?

(A) ID Number

(B) Date of Birth

(C) Home Address

(D) All of the answers are correct

 

Q. 6.Who is responsible for information security within your company?

(A) IT Security Department

(B) Everyone in the Company

(C) IT Department

(D) Top Management

 

Q. 7. Tailgating is a form of social engineering that allows hackers to:

(A) Watch company’s main gate

(B) Get unauthorized access to restricted area

(C) Watch employees as they leave gates

(D) Follow employee after work

 

Q. 8. Which one of the following can protect a computer from the risk of unwanted emails?

(A) Anti-Spam Software

(B) Anti-Virus Software

(C) Anti-Spyware Software

(D) PC Diagnostic Software


Q. 9. If you want to share a password with someone, what's the best option?

(A) Tell it via the phone

(B) Send a text message

(C) Send it via email

(D) None of the above

 

Q. 10. Which one of the following describes why firewalls are used?

(A) To prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.

(B) To prevent destruction of a computer in the event of a fire.

(C) To enable easy downloading of data from web sites

(D) To detect and disable viruses already on a computer.



Answers


Q.1. Answer: D

Notes: Spear phishing is a phishing method that targets specific persons or targets.

Spear Phishing occurs when a malicious party obtains information about the targeted individuals from websites or social networking sites and customize a phishing scheme to them


Q.2. Answer: C

Notes: Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, and machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence.


Q.3. Answer: C

Notes: Phishing is an email used by cybercriminals who create fraudulent messages that are meant to lure a user into either revealing sensitive or confidential information or installing malware.


Q.4. Answer: A

Notes: Geoffrey Everest Hinton is the father of Machine Learning.


Q.5. Answer: D

Notes: Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that is used to identify a specific individual. All information that directly or indirectly links to a person is considered PII. One's name, email address, phone number, bank account number, and government-issued ID number are all examples of PII.


Q.6. Answer: B

Notes: Everyone bears the responsibility for information security in an organization?


Q.7. Answer: B

Notes: In information security, tailgating is a social engineering technique used by hackers to deceive organization's officials through direct speech or actions in order to gain access into restricted areas. An example of tailgating is when one person tags along with an authorized employee to access a building or pass a certain checkpoint.


Q.8. Answer: A

Notes: Anti-Spam Software has the potential of protecting your computer from the risk of unwanted emails.


Q.9. Answer: D

Notes: A password is personal data which shouldn't be shared with others.


Q.9. Answer: A

Notes: Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.




Monday, April 28, 2025

Vedic Period Quiz - 2

Q.1. Which of the following tribal assemblies completely disappeared during the later Vedic Period?

1. Sabha

2. Samiti

3. Vidhata

Select the correct option from the codes given below:

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 1 and 2

(C) Only 2 and 3

(D) Only 3

Q.2. On the bank of which river the Battle of Ten Kings (Dasrajan Yudha), referred to in the Rig Veda, was fought?

(A) Parushni 

(B) Vitasta

(C) Vipasa

(D) Asikni

Q.3. In which among the following sacrifices, the sacrificial materials used was sura in Vedic Era?

A. Agnistoma

B. Rajasuya

C. Sautramani

D. Vajapeya

Q.4.  The number of hymns (suktas) Rig Veda contains are __.

(A) 1124

(B) 1028

(C) 1149

(D) 1024

Q.5. How many Mandalas were in Rig Vedic Samhita?

(A) 10

(B) 11

(C) 12

(D) 13

Answers:

Q. 1. - D

In later Vedic Period the Rig Vedic assemblies lost importance and royal power increased. The vidatha completely disappeared; the sabha and samiti continued to exist with changed character. 

Q. 2. - A

The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasrajan Yudha), referred to in the Rig Veda, was fought on the bank of the Parushni river (modern Ravi River). This battle pitted the Bharata tribe, led by Sudas, against a coalition of ten other tribes. 

Q. 3. - A 

Agnistoma. In the Vedic Era, the sacrificial material used was "sura" in the Agnistoma sacrifice.

Q.4. - B

Rig Veda consists of 1028 hymns grouped into ten books (mandalas) distributed over 10 chapters known as mandalas. These hymns are addressed to different Gods that included Agni, Indra, Agni and Soma.

Q.5. - A 

Rig Veda is organized in ten "books", or maṇḍalas ("circles"). The first and the tenth mandalas are the youngest. The ninth mandala is entirely dedicated to Soma and the Soma ritual.








Sunday, April 27, 2025

Rashtrakuta Empire Quiz

Q. 1. Who among the following was the founder of Rashtrakuta dynasty ?

(A) Dantidurga

(B) Krishna I

(C) Krishna II

(D) Amoghavarsha

Q. 2. Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora was built by 

(A) Krishna I 

(B) Krishna II

(C) Mahendravarman I

(D) Vishnuvardhana II

Q. 3.  Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Gulbarga (modern Kalaburagi) district in Karnataka) was the capital of the Rasstrakuta dynasty. Which Rashtrakuta ruler transferred regnal capital from Mayurkhandi (in the Bidar district of Karnataka) to Manyakheta.

(A) Govinda II 

(B)  Indra III

(C) Amoghavarsha I (r. 814 – 878 CE)

(D) Amoghavarsha II (r. 929–930 CE) 

Q. 4. Which of the following languages was the mother tongue of Rashtrakutas?

(A) Tamil

(B) Telgu

(C) Malayalam 

(D) Kannad

Q. 5. At the court of which Rashtraluta ruler did Halayudha, author of ancient Sanskrit text Kavirahasya, reside?

(A) Govinda II

(B) Indra III

(C) Amoghavarsha

(D) Krishna III

Answers

Q. 1. - A 

The Rashtrakuta kingdom was founded by Dantidurga or Dantivarman who overthrew the Chalukya dynasty about 753.

Q. 2. - A 

Kailasnatha Temple, the crowning achievement of Ellora, was excavated on the instructions of Krishna I.

Q. 3. - C

Amoghavarsha I moved the Rashtrakuta regnal capital from Mayurkhandi in the present-day Bidar district to Manyakheta in the present-day Kalaburagi district in the modern Karnataka state.

Q. 4. -  D

Rashtrakuta's Amoghavarsha I was an accomplished poet and scholar. He wrote the Kavirajamarga, the earliest extant literary work in Kannada.  

Q. 5. -  D

Halayudha, the author of Kavirahasya, resided at the court of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna III. He wrote Kavirahasya during Krishna III's reign. The work Kavirahasya eulogized Krishna III. 


Pal Dynasty Quiz

Q.1.- Who is the founder of Vikramshila University? 

(A) Chandragupta II

(B) Harshavardhana

(C) Samudragupta

(D) Dharampala

Q.2. - Which Pala ruler is said to have granted 5 villages for the upkeep of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by Balaputradeva, the king of Sumatra and Java, at Nalanda.

(A) Gopala 

(B) Dharampala 

(C) Devapala 

(D) Mahipala 

Q.3. - Which Pala ruler was elected by the public? 

(A) Gopala 

(B) Devapala 

(C) Narayanapala

(D) Mahendrapala 

Q.4. - Which region of India was ruled by the Pala Dynasty?

(A) Karnataka

(B) Madhya Pradesh 

(C) Maharashtra

(D) Bihar and Bengal

Q.5. Somapura Mahavihara, built by Pala ruler Dharampala, is located in which country?

(A) Bangladesh

(B) Mayanmar

(C) Pakistan

(D) India

Answers

1- (D) 

Pala ruler Dharampala (r. 770- c.810) had built the famous monastery of Vikramshila (in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar).  

2- (C) 

Devapala (ruled from 815 to 855 AD.), the most powerful Pala ruler, was in diplomatic contact with the Sailendra kings of Sumatra. He is said to have granted 5 villages, as requested by Balaputradeva, the king of Sumatra and Java, for the upkeep of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by the latter at Nalanda. His reign may be dated from 815 to 855 AD.

3- (A)

The first king of Pala dynasty was Gopala who was chosen (grahita) as king by the people. 

There are instances when rulers were chosen by the people, ministers and nobles in ancient India. Harsha was invited by the nobles of Kannauj to assume the throne when Grahavarman died childless. 

The appointment of the boy Nandivarman (735-797) as the Pallava ruler of Kanchi by an assembly of nobles and ministers is another case in point.  

He was chosen by an assembly of nobles and ministers to ascend the throne as the previous Pallava monarch Paramesvaravarman II died issueless. 

4- (D) 

Pala dynasty ruled regions of Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries from the middle of the 8th century until the end of the 12th century.

5.- (A) 

Now in the Naogaon district of Bangladesh, Somapura Mahavihara is one of the famous Buddhist monasteries in ancient India. Located at the Paharpur archaeological site in the Naogaon district of Bangladesh, Somapura Mahavihara was built by the second Pala ruler Dharmapala (r. 770- c.810). The Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhism and built several monasteries. 


Vedic Period Quiz

 Q.1. - Which of the following was the much talked about river in the Rig Veda?

(A) Sindhu

(B) Ganga

(C) Yamuna

(D) Godavari

Q.2. - The early Vedic god Indra was the god of 

(A) Fire 

(B) Wind

(C) Rain and Thunder

(D) None of the above

Q.3. - Gayatri Mantra has been taken from which Veda?

(A) Samveda

(B) Rigveda

(C) Atharva Veda

(D) Yajur Veda

Q.4. - Mundaka Upanishad and Prashna Upanishad were part of which Veda?

(A) Yajurveda

(B) Samveda

(C) Atharva Veda

(D) Rig Veda

Q.5. - The term Gotra was first used  in_? 

(A) Rig Veda

(B) Sam Veda

(C) Yajur Veda

(D) Atharva Veda


Answer 

Q.1.- A 

Sindhu river or Indus River has been mentioned in the Rig Veda.

Q.2.- C

Indra is one of the main gods of the Rigveda. He was known as the protector of cows and priests in the Vedic religion. Indra brought rain as god of the thunderbolt. 

Q.3.- B

The Gayatri Mantra first appeared in the Rig Veda

Q.4.- C

Atharva Veda comprises three fundamental Upanishads – Mundaka Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, and Prashna Upanishad. 

Q.5.- A

The term Gotra first appeared in the Rig Veda where it is used to refer to cattle sheds. 




Hawa Mahal

One of the most written-about and photographed of the monuments in the world, the Hawa Mahal ( Palace of Winds)  was built in 1799 by Sawai ...