CUET UG History Booster Test 2 -Empires and Kingship -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 2 -Empires and Kingship

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 -Empires and Kingship

1 / 20

QUESTION 1 OF 20

Arrange the following events related to the historical timeline of Magadha and the Mauryan Empire in chronological order:
1. Chandragupta Maurya's accession
2. Asoka's Kalinga War
3. Compilation of early texts mentioning Magadha as a mahajanapada
4. Shift of the Magadhan capital to Pataliputra

Answer Review

1 Arrange the following events related to the historical timeline of Magadha and the Mauryan Empire in chronological order:
1. Chandragupta Maurya's accession
2. Asoka's Kalinga War
3. Compilation of early texts mentioning Magadha as a mahajanapada
4. Shift of the Magadhan capital to Pataliputra

A 1, 2, 3, 4

B 3, 1, 2, 4

C 3, 4, 1, 2

D 4, 3, 1, 2

💡 Short Explanation

Mahajanapadas are mentioned first. Capital shifted before Mauryan rule. Kalinga War occurred during Asoka's reign.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The earliest event was the compilation of Buddhist and Jaina texts mentioning Magadha as a mahajanapada (6th century BCE). This was followed by the shift of the capital to Pataliputra. Chandragupta Maurya's accession occurred around 321 BCE, and Asoka's Kalinga War took place later around 261 BCE. Hence Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Places Chandragupta before earlier Mahajanapada developments.
�� Option B → Incorrectly places the capital shift after Chandragupta's accession.
�� Option D → Places the capital shift before references to Mahajanapadas.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Arrange events according to established NCERT chronology.

Final Logic:

Mahajanapadas → Pataliputra → Chandragupta → Kalinga War.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Mahajanapada → Capital → Maurya → Asoka."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Rise of Magadha and Mauryas

2 While Chandragupta Maurya expanded the empire to Afghanistan, the empire did not encompass the entire subcontinent. Control was strongest around the capital and _________, but less uniform in the diverse hilly and coastal terrains.

A Provincial centres

B Southern kingdoms

C Greek city-states

D Forest settlements

💡 Short Explanation

Provincial centres acted as administrative hubs. Mauryan control varied regionally. Strongest supervision existed near key centres.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

NCERT states that Mauryan control was strongest around Pataliputra and major provincial centres such as Taxila and Ujjayini. In distant and geographically diverse regions, administrative control was less uniform. Therefore Option A is correct. The other options were not administrative centres of Mauryan governance.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Southern kingdoms largely remained outside Mauryan administration.
�� Option C → Greek city-states were unrelated to Mauryan provincial organization.
�� Option D → Forest settlements were not centres of imperial administration.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Identify the recognized administrative units of the Mauryan Empire.

Final Logic:

Control was strongest near provincial administrative centres.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Capital + Province = Strong Control."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Administration

3 Assertion (A): Asoka expressed deep remorse and anguish after the conquest of Kalinga.
Reason (R): Asoka was the first ruler who inscribed his messages on stone surfaces.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true but R is false.

D A is false but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Asoka regretted the suffering caused by war. He issued inscriptions on stone. The two facts are unrelated causally.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Asoka's inscriptions clearly express sorrow over the suffering caused by the Kalinga War. He was also the first ruler to communicate extensively through inscriptions on stone surfaces. However, his use of inscriptions does not explain his remorse. Therefore both statements are true, but the Reason is not the explanation of the Assertion.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → The Reason does not explain Asoka's remorse.
�� Option C → The Reason is historically correct.
�� Option D → The Assertion is also historically correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Evaluate truth and causal relationship separately.

Final Logic:

Both statements are true, but there is no cause-effect link.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Kalinga = Remorse; Stone = Communication."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Asoka and Dhamma

4 Match the principles of Asoka's Dhamma (List 1) with their intended target groups (List 2):

List I	List II
1. Respect	a. Slaves and servants
2. Generosity	b. Other religions and traditions
3. Kindly treatment	c. Elders
4. Tolerance	d. Brahmanas and ascetics

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c

C 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

D 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

💡 Short Explanation

Respect for elders. Generosity towards Brahmanas and ascetics. Tolerance toward all traditions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Asoka's dhamma emphasized respect for elders, generosity toward Brahmanas and ascetics, kind treatment of slaves and servants, and tolerance toward other religious traditions. These principles aimed to promote social harmony across the empire. Therefore the correct matching is 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b, making Option D correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Mismatches respect and tolerance categories.
�� Option B → Incorrectly associates respect with other religions.
�� Option C → Incorrectly links generosity and kindly treatment.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Match each dhamma value with its specific social target.

Final Logic:

Respect–elders; Generosity–Brahmanas; Kindly treatment–servants; Tolerance–religions.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Elder–Respect, Servant–Kindness."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Principles of Dhamma

5 Which of the following statements best explains the strategic choice of provincial centres like Suvarnagiri in the Mauryan Empire?

A It was possibly important for tapping the gold mines of Karnataka.

B It served as the primary naval base for oceanic trade.

C It was the birthplace of Chandragupta Maurya.

D It commanded the riverine routes along the Ganga.

💡 Short Explanation

Suvarnagiri means "Golden Mountain." Linked with gold-producing regions. Important provincial centre.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Suvarnagiri was strategically located in southern India and is believed to have been associated with gold-mining regions of Karnataka. The Mauryans established provincial centres to manage resources effectively. Therefore Option A is correct. The site was neither a naval base nor connected with the Ganga river system.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → No evidence identifies Suvarnagiri as a naval headquarters.
�� Option C → Chandragupta's birthplace is not associated with Suvarnagiri.
�� Option D → Pataliputra was associated with the Ganga routes.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Associate provincial centres with resource control.

Final Logic:

Suvarnagiri was important because of nearby gold resources.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Suvarna = Gold."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Provincial Centres

6 Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding the Mauryan military bureaucracy as mentioned by Megasthenes?

A One subcommittee looked after the navy.

B A specific subcommittee was responsible for foot-soldiers.

C The second subcommittee managed transport, provisions, and fodder.

D The sixth subcommittee exclusively collected taxes from merchants to fund the cavalry.

💡 Short Explanation

Megasthenes described military committees. Each handled military branches. Tax collection was not their role.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Megasthenes mentions six military subcommittees responsible for navy, transport, infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants. No subcommittee was assigned exclusive merchant tax collection. Therefore Option D is incorrect. The remaining options accurately reflect the military organization described in Greek accounts.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Navy management was one committee's responsibility.
�� Option B → Infantry had a dedicated subcommittee.
�� Option C → Transport and supplies were specifically supervised.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Compare each option with Megasthenes' description.

Final Logic:

Military committees handled forces, not merchant taxation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Six Committees = Six Military Functions."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Military Administration

7 According to Greek sources, the Mauryan standing army consisted of massive divisions. Which of the following correctly represents the reported numbers of foot-soldiers and elephants?

A 300,000 foot-soldiers and 5,000 elephants

B 600,000 foot-soldiers and 9,000 elephants

C 100,000 foot-soldiers and 1,000 elephants

D 900,000 foot-soldiers and 12,000 elephants

💡 Short Explanation

Greek accounts describe a huge army. Infantry formed the largest component. Elephants were militarily significant.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Megasthenes reported that the Mauryan army consisted of approximately 600,000 foot-soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 elephants. These figures emphasize the enormous scale of Mauryan military power. Hence Option B is correct, while the remaining numerical combinations are historically inaccurate.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Numbers are significantly lower than reported.
�� Option C → Underestimates the Mauryan army's scale.
�� Option D → Exaggerates beyond Greek accounts.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall standard NCERT military figures.

Final Logic:

600,000 infantry and 9,000 elephants match Greek sources.

🧠 Memory Trick

"6 Lakh Foot, 9 Thousand Elephants."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Army

8 How did the guards of elephant forests trace the whereabouts of herds of wild elephants according to the Arthashastra?

A By setting up large pits with bait

B By using trained horses to scout the terrain

C By following the course of urine and dung left by them

D By utilizing early compass technologies and maps

💡 Short Explanation

Elephants were valuable military assets. Forest guards tracked herds. Biological traces revealed movement routes.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Arthashastra explains that elephant forest guards tracked wild elephants by observing traces such as urine and dung. This helped in locating and capturing elephants for military purposes. Therefore Option C is correct. The other methods are not mentioned in the text.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Not the tracking method described in Arthashastra.
�� Option B → Horses were not the primary tracking mechanism.
�� Option D → No evidence of compass-based elephant tracking.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall the specific Arthashastra reference.

Final Logic:

Elephant guards followed biological signs left by herds.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Dung Leads to Elephant."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Arthashastra and Elephant Forests

9 Assertion (A): Communication along land and riverine routes in the Mauryan empire could be completed in a matter of days from the centre to the farthest provinces.
Reason (R): The empire maintained a committee to manage transport and provisions for those on the move.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true but R is false.

D A is false but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Mauryan Empire was geographically vast. Travel took considerable time. Transport committees did exist.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Assertion is false because communication across the enormous Mauryan Empire could not be completed in merely a few days to distant provinces. The Reason is true because military administration included transport and provisions management. Thus Option D correctly identifies the truth value of both statements.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Assertion is historically inaccurate.
�� Option B → Both statements are not true.
�� Option C → The Reason is factually correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Test each statement independently.

Final Logic:

Communication was slow; transport committees existed.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Big Empire = Slow Communication."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Communication and Administration

10 The city of _________ was strategically located to command riverine routes, whereas Ujjayini was located along important overland trade routes.

A Taxila

B Pataliputra

C Suvarnagiri

D Tosali

💡 Short Explanation

Pataliputra stood on major river routes. Ujjayini controlled land trade networks. Both were strategic centres.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Pataliputra was situated at a strategic location along the Ganga and associated river systems, enabling control over riverine communication and trade. Ujjayini, in contrast, lay on important overland routes. Therefore Option B is correct. The other cities did not primarily serve this riverine function.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Taxila was associated with north-western land routes.
�� Option C → Suvarnagiri was linked to resource extraction.
�� Option D → Tosali was an administrative centre but not the primary riverine capital.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Associate cities with their strategic geographic roles.

Final Logic:

Pataliputra commanded the Ganga river system.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Pataliputra = Ganga Gateway."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Pataliputra and Communication Routes

11 The appointment of special officers known as 'dhamma mahamatta' was an application of which broader strategy by Asoka?

A Expanding the borders of the empire through covert military action

B Restricting the political influence of Brahmanas in the royal court

C Holding his vast and diverse empire together by propagating universal principles

D Enforcing strict economic taxation on all religious institutions

💡 Short Explanation

Dhamma mahamattas spread Asoka's dhamma. Dhamma emphasized ethical conduct. Helped integrate a diverse empire.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Asoka appointed dhamma mahamattas to spread and supervise the implementation of dhamma across his empire. These officers promoted values such as respect, tolerance, generosity, and kindness. Option C is correct because dhamma functioned as a unifying moral policy. The officers were not military agents, anti-Brahmana officials, or tax collectors.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Dhamma mahamattas were associated with moral administration, not military expansion.
�� Option B → Asoka's dhamma encouraged respect toward Brahmanas and ascetics.
�� Option D → Their role was ethical propagation rather than taxation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Link the officer's title and duties with Asoka's broader dhamma policy.

Final Logic:

Dhamma mahamattas were created to spread dhamma throughout the empire.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Dhamma Officer = Dhamma Spreader."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Dhamma Mahamattas

12 According to Megasthenes, great officers of state who measured the land and inspected sluices were primarily ensuring that:

A Everyone had an equal supply of water from the main canals

B Taxes were collected specifically from river merchants

C The borders of the empire were strictly delineated to prevent invasions

D The king's private gardens received maximum irrigation

💡 Short Explanation

Officers supervised irrigation systems. Sluices regulated water distribution. Ensured fair agricultural productivity.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Megasthenes describes officials who measured land and inspected sluices to regulate irrigation. Their role was to ensure proper distribution of water from canals and maintain agricultural productivity. Therefore Option A is correct. The duties were not focused on merchant taxation, border demarcation, or royal gardens.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → The description concerns irrigation management, not merchant taxation.
�� Option C → Land measurement here relates to administration and agriculture.
�� Option D → No evidence suggests the work focused on royal gardens.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Associate sluices and land measurement with irrigation management.

Final Logic:

Inspecting sluices implies regulation of water supply.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Sluice = Water Control."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Mauryan Administration

13 In the vast span of the history of the subcontinent, the Mauryan Empire lasted for about 150 years. Which of the following best highlights a major limitation of its control during this period?

A The empire uniformly controlled all regions including the hilly terrain of Afghanistan.

B By the second century BCE, the empire had expanded to cover the entire southern peninsula.

C It successfully eliminated all chiefdoms in the Deccan region.

D The empire did not encompass the entire subcontinent, and control within its frontiers was not uniform.

💡 Short Explanation

Mauryan rule covered vast territory. Administrative reach varied regionally. Uniform control was unlikely everywhere.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Mauryan Empire was extensive but did not include the entire subcontinent. Control was strongest around the capital and provincial centres, while distant regions experienced varying degrees of supervision. Thus Option D is correct. The empire neither covered all India nor exercised identical authority in every area.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → NCERT explicitly questions uniform control in distant regions.
�� Option B → Southern kingdoms remained outside Mauryan control.
�� Option C → Chiefdoms continued to exist in several regions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Reject statements using absolute terms like "uniformly" and "all."

Final Logic:

A vast empire could not maintain identical control everywhere.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Big Empire ≠ Uniform Rule."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Evaluating Mauryan Control

14 Which of the following statements about the regional diversity within the Mauryan Empire is INCORRECT?

A Administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and provincial centres.

B The hilly terrain of Afghanistan and the coast of Orissa were governed with the exact same administrative strictness and uniformity.

C Taxila and Ujjayini were strategically situated on important long-distance trade routes.

D It is unlikely that a vast empire with highly diverse regions had a completely uniform administrative system.

💡 Short Explanation

Regional diversity affected governance. Uniform administration was unrealistic. Option B is historically inaccurate.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

NCERT emphasizes that Mauryan administration likely varied across regions because of differences in geography, communication, and local conditions. Therefore Option B is incorrect. Options A, C, and D accurately reflect the nature of Mauryan administration and the strategic significance of provincial centres.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Correctly describes stronger control near administrative centres.
�� Option C → Taxila and Ujjayini were major trade-route locations.
�� Option D → Matches historians' assessment of Mauryan governance.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Watch for unrealistic claims of exact uniformity.

Final Logic:

Regional diversity prevented perfectly uniform administration.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Mauryan Rule = Strong but Uneven."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Regional Diversity in the Mauryan Empire

15 The early states of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas in Tamilakam proved to be stable and prosperous, and their histories are often known from the early Tamil _________ texts.

A Jataka

B Puranic

C Sangam

D Dharmasutra

💡 Short Explanation

Sangam texts are early Tamil literature. They describe rulers and society. Major source for Tamilakam history.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Sangam corpus contains poems describing chiefs, warfare, trade, social life, and resource distribution in Tamilakam. Historians use these texts extensively to reconstruct the history of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas. Therefore Option C is correct. The other texts belong to different traditions.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Jatakas belong to the Buddhist tradition.
�� Option B → Puranas are different literary sources.
�� Option D → Dharmasutras focus on social and legal norms.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Associate Tamilakam with early Tamil literary traditions.

Final Logic:

Tamilakam's history is closely linked to Sangam literature.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Tamilakam = Sangam."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Sangam Literature

📄 Passage

"Many chiefs and kings, including the Satavahanas who ruled over parts of western and central India and the Shakas, a people of Central Asian origin who established kingdoms in the north-western and western parts of the subcontinent, derived revenues from long-distance trade. Their social origins were often obscure, but... once they acquired power they attempted to claim social status in a variety of ways."

According to the passage, how did rulers like the Satavahanas and Shakas primarily derive their revenues?

A Through long-distance trade

B By heavily taxing agricultural land

C By raiding the southern Pandya kingdom

D By extracting tribute from the forest tribes

💡 Short Explanation

Passage directly mentions revenue source. Trade routes generated wealth. Long-distance commerce strengthened kingdoms.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the Satavahanas and Shakas derived revenues from long-distance trade. Their strategic location along trade networks enabled economic prosperity. Therefore Option A is correct. The passage does not emphasize land taxation, raids, or tribal tribute as their primary revenue source.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Not identified as the main source in the passage.
�� Option C → No such claim appears in the text.
�� Option D → Tribute is not cited as the primary revenue source.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Use the exact wording provided in the passage.

Final Logic:

The passage directly links revenue to long-distance trade.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Shakas & Satavahanas = Trade Wealth."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Long-Distance Trade and Revenue

📄 Passage

Based on the broader theme of the passage regarding obscure social origins and claiming status, which specific method was adopted by the Kushanas to project high status?

A They claimed descent from the Mauryan lineage.

B They identified themselves with a variety of deities and installed colossal statues of themselves.

C They abandoned their kingdoms to live as ascetics.

D They refused to issue coins with their images.

💡 Short Explanation

Kushanas projected divine authority. Colossal statues reinforced royal image. Linked rulers with deities.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Kushana rulers enhanced their prestige by associating themselves with deities and installing colossal statues in shrines. Their coins also reflected divine symbolism. Therefore Option B is correct. The other options are unsupported by NCERT and contradict Kushana strategies of asserting legitimacy and authority.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → No evidence of Mauryan lineage claims.
�� Option C → Kushanas emphasized kingship, not renunciation.
�� Option D → Kushana coins frequently depicted rulers and deities.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Relate social-status claims to known Kushana practices.

Final Logic:

Divine association strengthened royal legitimacy.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Kushana = King + God Image."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Divine Kingship of Kushanas

18 Assertion (A): The Kushana rulers avoided taking grand titles out of humility, similar to Asoka.
Reason (R): Many Kushana rulers adopted the title 'devaputra', meaning 'son of god'.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true but R is false.

D A is false but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Kushanas adopted exalted titles. Devaputra means "son of god." Assertion contradicts historical evidence.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Assertion is false because Kushana rulers adopted prestigious titles and projected divine authority. The Reason is true because several Kushana rulers used the title "devaputra" meaning "son of god." Thus Option D is correct. The title itself disproves the claim of humility.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Assertion is historically incorrect.
�� Option B → Assertion remains false regardless of the Reason.
�� Option C → The Reason is factually correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Verify the truth value of both statements separately.

Final Logic:

Assertion is false; Reason is true.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Devaputra = Divine Title."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Kushana Kingship

19 What would likely happen to a Gupta ruler if a samanta became exceedingly powerful?

A The weak ruler might find himself reduced to a position of subordination under the samanta.

B The ruler would automatically grant the samanta the title of 'Devaputra'.

C The samanta would be exiled to the provincial centre of Taxila.

D The ruler would permanently abolish the samanta system and raise a central army.

💡 Short Explanation

Samantas could accumulate power. Political relations were fluid. Weak rulers risked subordination.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

NCERT notes that powerful samantas could become kings, while weak rulers might become subordinate to them. This demonstrates the changing balance of power in Gupta-era politics. Therefore Option A is correct. The other options are not supported by historical evidence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Devaputra was associated with Kushanas, not Gupta samantas.
�� Option C → No such administrative practice existed.
�� Option D → The samanta system continued rather than being abolished.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect samanta power with political hierarchy.

Final Logic:

Powerful samantas could dominate weaker rulers.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Strong Samanta, Weak King."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Samanta System

20 Match the elements related to Prashastis:

List I	List II
1. Prayaga Prashasti	a. Court poet
2. Harishena	b. Powerful Gupta ruler
3. Samudragupta	c. Sanskrit
4. Language of Prayaga Prashasti	d. Allahabad Pillar Inscription

A 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a

B 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

C 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c

D 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

💡 Short Explanation

Prayaga Prashasti is the Allahabad Pillar Inscription. Harishena composed it. It praises Samudragupta in Sanskrit.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Prayaga Prashasti refers to the Allahabad Pillar Inscription. It was composed by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta, one of the greatest Gupta rulers. The inscription was written in Sanskrit. Hence the correct matching is 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c, making Option C correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Incorrectly matches Samudragupta and Harishena.
�� Option B → Confuses inscription, ruler, and poet identities.
�� Option D → Reverses several established historical associations.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Match each historical figure and source with its known association.

Final Logic:

Prayaga Prashasti–Allahabad Pillar–Harishena–Samudragupta–Sanskrit.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Harishena Praises Samudragupta in Sanskrit."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Topic: Prayaga Prashasti

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 -Empires and Kingship

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