Question Discussion & Solution

• Indus Valley Civilization is the largest ancient civilization.
• John Marshall was the first scholar to use the term ‘Indus Valley Civilisation’.
• The Indus Valley Civilisation belongs to the Protohistoric Period (Chalcolithic Age/Bronze Age).
• Dayaram Sahni first discovered Harappa Civilisation in 1921.

The correct answer is Kolkata, 1896.

Key Points

• 'Vande Mataram' song was sung for the first time at the Indian National Congress session at Kolkata in 1896.
• The president of the Kolkata session was Rahmatullah M. Sayani.
• Vande Mataram song:
  • The song was Sung by Rabindranath Tagore.
  • The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1874.
  • The song was published in the Bengali novel Anandamath in 1882.

​​​Important Points

• Indian National Congress(INC):
  • Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885.
  • Father of INC: Allan Octavian Hume
• List of Important Indian National Congress sessions:

The correct answer is Kushinagar.

Key Points

•  Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar (In present-day Uttar Pradesh).

Additional Information

• Mahaparinirvana usually means the ultimate state of Nirvana (everlasting, highest peace and happiness) attained by an Awakened Being.
  • Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautam Buddha.
  • It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Important Points

• Gautam Buddha achieved Nirvana (Enlightenment) on the banks of river Niranjana in Bodh Gaya.
  • He was known as Gautama Buddha and Tathagata (he who has attained the truth) after this.
• Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.
  • It is called Dharma Chakra Pravartana or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.
• Lumbini in Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha.
• Buddha left his home at the age of 29 years to live a life of an ascetic which is known as Mahabhinishkramana (the great departure).  

The correct answer is Sri Gupta.

• Sri Gupta established the Gupta dynasty.

Key Points

• In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century (approximately) to 543 AD.
• Founded by Sri Gupta, the dynasty rose to fame with rulers like Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta.
• The Murundas ruled for only 25 - 30 years.
• Around the last decade of the 3rd century CE (about  275 CE), the dynasty of the Guptas came to power.
• The Gupta empire established its control over a good part of the former dominions of both the Kushanas and the Satavahanas.
• The Guptas (possibly Vaishyas) kept northern India politically united for more than a century (335 CE- 455 CE).
• The Gupta period in ancient India is referred to as the “Golden Age” because of the numerous achievements in the field of arts, literature, science, and technology. It also brought about the political unification of the subcontinent.

​Additional Information

• Sri Gupta
  • ​Founder of the Gupta Dynasty.
  • Reign from 240 CE to 280 CE.
  • Used the title of Maharaja.
• Chandragupta I
  • ​Reigned from 319 CE to 335/336 CE
  • Started the Gupta Era
  • He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja.
  • Married Lichchavi princess Kumaradevi
• ​Samudragupta
  • ​Called ‘Napolean of India’ by V.A. Smith (Irish Indologist and Art Historian)
  • His campaigns are mentioned in the Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh)
• ​​Chandragupta II
  • ​Navratnas (9 Gems in his Court)
  • Took the title Vikramaditya
• ​​Kumaragupta I
  • ​Founded Nalanda University
  • He was also called Shakraditya
• ​Vishnugupta
  • ​Last known ruler of the Gupta Dynasty.

The correct answer is (b), (c).

• Dr Sadler and Major Burton were killed by the rebellious forces of Kota State on 15th October 1857.

Key Points

• Revolt in Kota
  • Major Burton was the political agent of Kota during the 1857 revolt.
  • Jaydayal and Mehrabkhan were two main revolutionaries in Kota,
  • On 15th October 1857, Major Burton, his two sons, and Dr Salder were killed by revolutionaries,
  • Maharao Ramsingh was the king of Kota at that time who was kept under house arrest.
  • Maharawal Madanpal of Karuli sent his army to help Maharao of Kota. 

Additional Information

• Captain Showers was the political agent of Mewar at the time of the 1857 revolt.
• Major Mockmason was the political agent of Marwar who was killed during the Battle of Chelawas by the revolutionaries of Aauwa.