UPSC – CSE Prelims 2020
HISTORY – ANCIENT – LIFE IN THE GUPTA AGE 1. With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa and “dronavapa” denote (a) measurement of land (b) coins of different monetary value (c) classification of urban land (d) religious rituals Ans: (a) Explanation: • The words kulyavapa, dronavapa and adhavapa indicate the area of land that was required to sow seed grains of the weight respectively of one kulya, drona and adhaka. • According to epigraphic evidence, we have references of measurement units such as – “Kulyavapa”, “dronavapa”, “adhavapa” and “Pataka” from Bengal, nivratana” and “bhumi” from Central India and “nivartana and “padavarta” from Western India. |
HISTORY – ANCIENT – LIFE IN THE GUPTA AGE
2. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
(a) ports handling foreign trade
(b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
(c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
(d) important Buddhist pilgrimage centres
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
• The chief ports of ancient India were on the west coast – Patala on the Indus delta, Bhrigukachha (Broach), Chaul, Kalyan, Cambay and Sopara.
• On the coast of Sindh lay Debal, a large mart and the port not only of this area but alsoof the neighbouring regions.
• On the Malabar Coast there was an important port Kaulam (Modern Quilon).
• The main ports of the east coast were Tamralipti, Ghantsala and Kadura Muziris (modern Cranganour) was one important port in the Tamil country.
• Korkai in the land of the Pandyas and Kaveripattinum in the Chola country were two other main ports of the ancient period.
• Through these ports a volume of foreign trade was conducted during ancient period.
Source: Ancient Indian History and Civilization – by Sailendra Nath Sen
UPSC – CSE Prelims 2019
HISTORY – ANCIENT – LIFE IN THE GUPTA AGE
1. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
(b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
(c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
(d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
Ans: (a)
- In the Gupta period, Vishti or forced labor became a source of income for the state and was looked upon as a sort of taxation paid by the people.
- Vishti was forced labour in lieu of tax and therefore not entitled to weekly wages.
- Anyone can be sent as the forced labourer, not particularly from the eldest son of the labourer.
- Most of the inscriptions refers to Vishti as more prevalent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.