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The father-in-law did not help her because he had a small Government pension. He was afraid that if he helped her, his pension would be cut off.

Gyan Babu’s wife is an extraordinary lady. She is fearless and full of patriotism and dignity. She is a helping lady. Due to these reasons she has really impressed me.

Gyan Babu was a school teacher. He refused his principal to turn out the lady from his house whose husband was in jail. So he tendered his resignation.

The resignation of Gyan Babu made the principal come to his senses. He discussed the matter with the Commissioner and decided not to punish Gyan Babu.

The narrator of the story says this about the wife of Gyan Chand. It suggests that Mrs. Gyan Chand was hard in her appearance and words, but at heart she was very gentle and generous.

Gyan Babu’s wife asked him to tell the principal that he was not going to turn that lady out of the house. If he did not agree, he should submit his resignation.

Gyan Babu’s wife asked him to tell the principal that he was not going to turn that lady out of the house. If he did not agree, he should submit his resignation.

One evening the principal told Gyan Babu that he should turn the lady out of his house. It was the order of Commissioner. So Gyan Babu had a quarrel with the principal and he was perturbed.

1. (ii) The narrator reached the station as he wanted to go away through train, after stealing Anil’s money.

2. (i) He hesitated to cheat a simple and large-hearted man like Anil.

3. (i) I' refers to Hari Singh.

4. (iii) Dashed' means ran straight away.

5. (iv) The narrator has stolen Anil’s money.

1. The flight principle

2. He wanted to study subjects related to flight.

3. Mr. Siva Subramania Iyer, his science teacher

4. Aeronautical Engineering

5. He started his career as an aeronautical scientist.

1. The post is playing to God

2. For strength to bear his joys end sorrows

3. The root of penury in his hear

4. The poor

5. To serve human beings

a. Rip Van Winkle used to make play things for children. He told them fairy tales. So children liked Rip Van Winkle very much.

b.  Rip Van Winkle was simple and good natured. He was a very kind neighbour and a great favourite of all the women and children in the village.

c. iii) In North America

d. ii) In a village at the foot of the Catskill mountains

e. ii) In a village at the foot of the Catskill mountains

Jacobin clubs were the most influential clubs during the French Revolution. The clubs were associations of people who were inspired and motivated by the ideas of nationalist writers like Voltaire and Rousseau. The members of these clubs believed in the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity and rose to oppose and overthrow the French monarchical system and unshackle the middle and lower classes. They adopted the sans-culottes or trousers without knee breeches as against the aristocratic trousers with knee breeches. They took great pride in their clothing which was loose and mostly of the colours of the French National ag blue, white and red. This brought about a sense of unity and equality among all. Having heard of the influence and success of the Jacobin clubs in France, many students and members of the educated middle class in all of Europe formed and joined Jacobin clubs. 

a. The officer got down from his horse to help the men in their work.

b. The person that helped the man and the Corporal was none other than the President of America, George Washington.

c. iii) A beam

d. i) The Corporal

e. i) Very few men

1. A stupa is a semi-spherical dome-like structure. It is constructed on brick or stone.

2. The buddha’s relics were placed in the centre.

Answer is (b) only 2

Answer is (b) only 2

1. Megasthenese was the ambassador of the Greek ruler, Seleucus.

2. He lived in the court of ChandraGupta Maurya.

3. He stayed in India for 14 years.

4. He wrote the book Indica, one of the main sources for the study of Mauryan Empire.

Name of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas are Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Kasi, Kura, Kosala, Avanti, Chedi, Vatsa, Panchala, Machcha, Surasena, Assaka, Gandhara and Kamboja.

1. (d) 

2. (a) 

3. (e) 

4. (c)

5. (b)

1. Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk.

2. He took Chandragupta Maurya to South India.

(a) Badrabahu

1. False

2. False

3. True

4. False

(b) Magadhaj

(c) Both 1 and 2

1. Kingdom means a territory ruled by a king or queen.

2. In a kingdom (monarchy), a family, which rules for a long period becomes a dynasty.

3. Usually these kingdoms adhered to orthodox Vedic traditions.

1. Ashokal

2. beloved of the Gods

3. All religions

4. Pataliputraj

5. Raj agriha

6. Vaishali

7. Udayin

8. The king

9. Indigenous

10. Ashoka

(d) Megasthenese

(a) Chandragup

1. The meaning of Dhamma is explained in Ashoka’s – Pillar Edict II.

2. It contained the noblest ideas of humanism, forming the essence of all religions.

3. He laid stress On Compassion, Charity, Purity, Saintliness, Self-control, Truthfulness, Obedience and respect for parents, preceptors and elders.

(a) Ajatasatru

1. people of equal status

2. Mahajanapadas

3. timber

4. Sishunaga

5. Navanandas

6. No stopping of the gift of knowledge

7. 14

8. Chanakya / Vishnugupta/ Kautilyal 

9. Sallekhanai 

10. Bindusaral

1. The land was the most important source of revenue for the state.

2. Bali and Bagha as taxes collected from people.

3. The land tax (bhaga) collected was 1/6 of the total produce.

4. Revenue from taxes on forests, mines, salt and irrigation provided additional revenue to the government.

5. Much of the State revenue was spent on paying the army, the officials of the royal government, on charities and on different public works.

(a) Bimbisara, Kalasoka, Mahapadma Nanda, Chandra Gupta

(d) Chanakya

(d) All of these

Kumargupta was the founder of Nalanda University.

The conduct code which Ashoka presented to unite various communities, castes and cultures in a single entity, was called ‘Dhamma’. Among the fundamental principles of Dhamma, Ashoka laid the greatest emphasis on tolerance.

Serving one’s parents, respect to teachers, preachers, proper behaviour towards extension of religious concept, restraint in speech and equality in income was emphasised in Ashoka’s edicts.

His principle of nonviolence implied abandoning conquest through war and violence, opposing killing of animals. These ideals or values are universal and immortal in all ages. These don’t belong to any specific age, nation, religion etc. Such ideals are mentioned in Indian culture also. Hence Ashoka’s Dhamma is relevant even today.

Correct Answer is: (d) Ratnavali

Correct Answer is: (b) Achyut Deva Rai

Kalhad is the author of Rajatarangini.

Provinces were called “Mandalam” in the Chola administration.

Gupta period was the golden period of the history of ancient India. It was an era of peace and system. Economic life, science and technology, arts, all flourished in Gupta period. The main rulers of Gupta dynasty can be introduced as follows : Sri Gupta – He ruled from 240 CE to 280 CE. He has been described as the founding ruler of the Gupta dynasty. He assumed the title of Maharaja. He was not an independent, sovereign ruler but possibly a feudal lord under some rule.

Ghatotkacha – He ruled from 280 CE to 319 CE. He assumed the title of Maharaja. His kingdom was limited to regions around Magadha.

Chandragupta 1 – He ruled from 319 CE to 335 CE. He was a valiant ruler and married the then famous Lichchvi kingdom’s famous princess Kumar Devi. He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja. He founded the Samvat era by the name of Gupta Samvať (319–320 CE.).

Samudragupta – He ascended to the throne in 335 CE and ruled till 375 CE. His court poet Harisena has described Samudragupta’s victorious campaigns in ‘Prayag Prashasti? insrcriptions. He performed the Ashwamedha yajna to proclaim his conquests.

The Prayag pillar which is located in Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) is an important historical source of the Gupta period. In the Prayag Prashasti, Samudragupta has been described as ‘Kaviraj’. He established a new era in India. He united all of India in the thread of political unity.

Chandragupta II – Among all the kings of the Gupta dynasty, he is considered to be the greatest one due to his supreme valour and brave qualities. He ruled from375 to 414 CE. Chinese traveller Fa – hien travelled India during his reign.

His court boasted of scholars like Kalidas and Amar Singh. He extended the Gupta empire upto the Arabian sea and conquered the Saurashtra peninsula. He made Ujjain his second capital.

Kumargupta I – He ruled from 415 CE to 455 CE. He issued a large number of coins. About 623 coins of Kumargupta were found in Bayana – Moradabad region. HeiunTsang called him ‘Shakraditya’. Possibly Kumargupta was the founder of Nalanda university.

Skandagupta – He ruled from 455 CE to 467 CE. He had to face the aggression of the Hunas named ‘Malechcha’ as soon as he ascended the throne. He gave the responsibility of renovating the Sudarshan lake of Girnar mountain to governor Pranadutta’s son Chakrapalit.

Mention of Huna invasions and their defeat at the hands of Skandagupta is found in Skandagupta’s inner pillar inscription of Chandragupta Pariprachcha’ etc. inscriptions and other literary sources. Skandagupta protected the Gupta empire from the terrible threat of external enemies, Pushyamitras and Huna invasions by defeating them.

He repelled the attacks of Vakatakas and Naga rulers and conquered their territories. His judicious rule, his brave battles, his love for his country made him one the greatest Gupta rulers.

Skandgupta ruled from 455 CE to 467 CE. As soon as he ascended on the throne, he had to face the aggression of the Hunas named ‘Malechcha’. He protected the Gupta empire from the terrible threat of external enemies, Pushyamitras, and Húnas invasions by defeating them.

He lent stability and organisation to the empire. He repelled the attacks of Vakatakas and Naga rulers and conquered their territories to preserve the empire and expand its extent. He established a strong administrative system to stablise his kingdom.

He faced these threats with courage and patience and became successful. He was able to keep his empire intract from the Arabian sea to the Bay of Bengal. Hence his judicious rule, his bravery in battles, his love for his country made him one of the greatest Gupta rulers.

Ashoka invaded Kalinga around 261 BCE. Hathigumpha edicts reveal that probably Kalinga was ruled by a king named Nandraj and Kalinga’s capital at that time was Toshali. Ashoka wanted to integrate the whole India in a single entity.

Kalinga was famed for its elephants, trade and commerce. Being located on the coastline, it was strategically important for foreign trade. Therefore Ashoka invaded Kalinga to get victory over it.

The Vijaynagar rulers made praise worthy contributions to the development of architecture. Among the finest examples are the ‘Hazara temple’ built by Devarai II, and Vitthalswami temple’ built by Krishnadevarai. These temples are built in the Dravidian style of Chola period but with some special features.

First of all, in every temple’s mandapa, an additional ‘Kalyan mandap’ is built. The second special feature is seen in ‘Amman Mandir’. This was a separate temple in which the deity was the wife of the god.

Special emphasis was laid on the pillars of Gopurams and temples in their ornamentation. The diverse and intricate ornamentation of pillars is the most outstanding feature of Vijaynagar style of architecture.

‘Prayag Prashati’ is also known as The Prayag Pillar Inscription. It is located in Allahabad in Uttar Predesh. Prayag Prashasti was written by the famous poet Harisena, who was the court poet of Samudragupta. In Prayag Prashasti, he has described Samudragupta’s victorious campaigns.

In it, Samudragupta has been described as ‘Kaviraj’, shaming Guru Tumbru and Narada in singing and musical ability, donor of lakhs of cov: 3, scholar of superior quality, preserver of knowledge and rampart of religion.

The Mauryan empire was divided into four regions which were administered by princes with the help of council of ministers and ‘Amatyas’. The four major provinces were Uttarapath, Dakshinapath, Avantipath, and Madhya Pranta. Dharma Mahamatra and Amatya were provincial officers who looked after ‘Dhamma’ and other functions. Provinces were further divided into ‘Aahar’ or Vis’, which were headed by “Vispati’.

Ashoka made the following administrative reforms:

1. He appointed Rajuk, Yukta, and Pradeshik etc. to deal with land, justice and accounts. 

2. He created the post of Dhamma Mahamatra to create social harmony and to provide aid to unjustly persecuted people and their families. 

3. He set up such a system as enabled communication of the problems of common people to the king at all times and from all places.

4. To bring uniformity in the judicial system, he gave independent powers to the Rajukas in justice related matters.

Gupta era is called the ‘Golden Age’ of ancient India. This era is considered to be the best on account of political unity, valient emperors, economic prosperity, religious tolerance, inclusion of foreigners in the Hindu faith, resurrection of Hindu religion, progress of sanskrit literature, advancement of all arts and propagation of Indian culture. 

The details of economic life during the Gupta period are as follows:

1. Agriculture – In this period, agriculture was in advanced stage. Methods of enhancing soil fertility and quality of seeds were used. Facilities for irrigation were provided to the farmers. Various crops like wheat, paddy, millet, sugarcane, peas, pulses, seasame, mustard, castor, ginger, black pepper etc. were produced.

2. Animal Husbandry – Animal husbandry (livestock rearing) was another major source of livelihood. The profession of Vaishyas was rearing of cows. Domestic animals included (apart from the cows) horses, buffaloes, camel, goats, sheep, donkeys, dogs, cats etc. Bullocks were used to pull the ploughs and as load-bearing animals.

3. Industry and Crafts Industry and crafts were in developed condition. In this period, metal craft, textile production, ornament art, wood craft, stone craft, ivory work etc. saw special progress. Metal craft developed remarkably during Gupta period.

A grand example of the advancement that occured in metallurgy during this period is the Pillar of Mehrauli, which even after so many centuries stands intact without getting rusted. Textile manufacturing was also a major industry in Gupta period. In this period, very fine cloth was made.

Indian textile was in great demand in foreign markets. The art of ornament making was quite advanced. Various kinds of gemstones were also used apart from gold and silver to make ornaments.

4. Shreni Organisation – Craftsmen, entrepreneuers and traders were organised and they had their separate councils. These councils were called ‘Shrenis’, ‘Nigam’ or ‘Gana’. These Shrenis played an important role in the fields of industry and production.

These worked like modern banks. They gave loans on interest and accepted deposits on interests. A larger institution than Shreni called ‘Nigam’ existed in Gupta era.

5. Trade and IndustryIn the Gupta era, trade and industry were at their top. Internal trade was conducted through roads and rivers. The long term political stability and peaceful conditions and the large number of gold coins issued by Gupta era rulers helped trade develop greatly.

Travel in Gupta period was safe and unobstructed. Ujjain, Bharuch, Pratisthan, Vidisha, Prayag, Patliputra, Vaishali, Tamralipti, Mathura, Kaushambi etc. were important commercial cities. Indian ports had permanent sea trade connections with many foreign countries.

These countries were China, Sri Lanka, Persia, Arabia, Ethiopia, Byzantine (Roman Empire) and islands of Indian ocean. Bhrigukachuch (Bharuch) was a famous port of the western coast.

6. Sources of Revenue-In Gupta period, land revenue was the main source of state income. The following taxes are mentioned in the literature of that period Bhag – 1/6th part of crop production that went to the king. Bhoga_Tax given to the king in the form of fruits and flowers. Uparikar and Udranga – These were forms of land taxes.