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Rishi Lomharsha and his son Ugarashrava are considered the writer of the Puranas.

Our Puranas are the historical books of ancient India. They are 18 in number. The main puranas among them are the Markanday Purana, Brahma Purana, Vayu Purana, Vishnu Purana, Bhagwat Purana, and Matsya Purana. Matsya is the oldest of all. Matsya Purana provides the largest part of knowledge about the cultural history of India.

Correct Answer is: (d) Sansthanagar

Correct Answer is : (a) Brahmins

There are four Vedas

1. The Rigveda, 

2. The Samveda, 

3. The Atharvaveda, 

4. The Yajurveda.

History is the record of the events which took place in the past. It includes the complete past of human beings. All the activities done in the field of science, economics, society, politics, religion and philosophy come under history. The activities which we can certify on the basis of facts, may be treated as a study material of history.

The chief subjects of the puranas are : Sarg, Pratisarg, manvantar, vansh, vanshanucharit.

The coins are significaint because they provide us the information—the names of the rulers, dates, their faces, dynastic traditions, religion, their glorious deeds, daily life, art, their likes and dislikes, religious belief, economic and trade status, boundary of the kingdom etc.

The Upanishad is one of the four parts of every Veda. The Upanishads tell us about deeper subjects and the moral values of life. The Upanishads have dominated Indian philosophy, religion and life ever since their appearance.

Sabha – The sabha was a smaller body as compared to the samiti. In sabha, only the senior persons or very important persons took part. These people co-operated with the king in matters of justice and other consultations.

Samiti – This body discussed considered over the political and social issues. The king took part in the meetings of samitis.

The ancient name of the Arabian sea was Ratnakar.

Aryanaks are a parts of Vedic literature. Aryanakas are written by the rishis. These books deal with the subject of philosophy.

Correct Answer is : (b) Dayaram Sahani

The Vedang literature has six parts: 

i) shiksha, 

ii) kalpa, 

iii) vyakarna, 

iv) nirukta, 

v) chhanda 

vi) jyotisha.

Correct Answer is: (c) Dhaulaveera

During this civilization, both the national and international trade were prevalent. These people were familiar with various crafts and industries. The main industries during this civilization were jewellary making, cloth making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery making etc. Beads jewellery was very popular. Both men and women were fond of jewellery. Beads were made of gold, copper, silver, clay, seashells etc. Trade was very developed during this time.

Because of its prosperity, India was called ‘ a golden bird’ in the past. Ancient India was very developed in agricutlure and minerals, which was the base of its prosperity. These people were involved in various activities. 

These activities were : 

1. Agriculture and cattle breeding – India has been basically an agricultural country. Agriculture and cattle breeding have been the backbone of Indian economy. The cow was not meant to be killed. In the Rigveda, ploughing, sowing and harvesting and pulling the plough by the bulls and production of food grain is mentioned. Canals are also mentioned there. This indicates that people had well organised irrigation system.

2. Industry – There is a record that thousands of years ago, leather industry, wood industry and stone industry flourished very well.

3. Trade – Trade in those days was highly developed. During the epic age, trade was done both on national and international level. In the Rigveda, there is mention of a boat having 100 oars. In the Taittiriya Upanishad, it is written that during that time food grains was grown in plenty.

During the post – Vedic period, new techniques were developed in agricuture. The system of commercial chambers had also come in vogue. The words ‘Shresthi’ Gan and Ganpati have been used in their connection.

4. Tax System – In ancient texts, it is mentioned that one-sixth or one-tenth part.

Vanshawali is the most dependable source for a person to know about his / her traditions, culture, original residence, development, family, family – religion, family customs, gotra and the names of his ancestors etc. In the ancient history of India and in our holy Puranas, Vanshawalis have played a very important role in writing the history of that period. We find the records of many historical events in such Vanshawalis.

Vanshawalies are significant source of Indian history. These Vanshawalis provide information about the caste and social history of every family. They have told about he ideal persons livng in the society. The Indian Sagar and Samiti started the documentation of family to maintain a well ordered society in a harmonious way which has continued for thousands of years.

We come to know about many historical great persons from these Vanshawalies. They also provide the records of economic development and profession of the family. The Vanshawali writers stayed with the family for a particular time period and prepared the record. So the records (Vanshawalis) are true and realistic.

Ancient name of the Bay of Bengal was Mahodadhi.

Evidences of factories of making beads have been found in Lothal and Chanhudaro.

Kautilya included in Indian history puranic ideas and ideals, their explanations, examples, science of religion and economics.

Decimal system and zero formula were discovered in India.

(a) Atharvaveda

Correct Answer is : (b) 917

The Samveda provides information about the religious songs sung by the Aryans.

The remains of skull have been found in Kalibangan and Lothal.

In the excavation more than 2000 stamps have been discovered. These stamps are made of soapstone, terracotta and copper. The stamps give us useful information about the civilization of indus valley.

Some stamps have human or animal figures on them. Most of the stamps have the figures of real animals while a few bear the figures of mythical animals. The stamps are rectangular, circular or even cylindrical in shape.

Well – planned cities was the most important and special feature of Sindu architecture. The other special features are .

1. Proper drainage system in the houses. 

2. Baked bricked and covered drainage systemat at both sides of every road and street. 

3. Remains of a great bath at Mohanjodero have been found. From the excavation of Dhaulaveera, 16 big and small water reservoirs have been found. Remains of a dockyard from Lothal have been found. Its size was 214 m x 36 m, and : 3.3 m deep. In the North of the yard, there was a 12 m wide entrance for the ships.

During the pre – historical time, the places where the human beings lived, were called rock – dwellings. Human beings decorated these dwelling with their handy geometrical drawings. These drawings were called rock – art graphics. Different aspects of life have been expressed through these rock graphics.

India was regarded as Vishwaguru (Teacher of the World) due to its cultural / religious qualities. All the gods and goddess, being huge in number, 

have been classified under in three classes.

1. Gods dwelling in heaven – Varun, Sun, Savitri, Aditi, Usha, Mitra, Vishnu and Ashwin.

2. Earthly Gods – Earth, Agni, Som, Brihaspati, Saraswati etc. 

3. Atmospheric Gods – Varun, Vayu, Indra, Rudra, Parjanaya and Marut.

Yajna – The gods and goddesses were worshipped by offering prayers and performing the yajna. The divine power has performed the work of creation and people worship in different forms. It is said in the Rigveda, ‘Ekam sat get viprah bahudha vadanti’ (truth and god are one).

In Upanishads, he has been called by the name of ‘Param Brahma’and our soul is a part of that Param Brahma. Brahma and soul are one and the same. According the philosophy of the Upanishads, the whole universe has been created by Brahma and this universe again get unified with Brahma.

Worship of Nature – People worshipped nature in different forms. Inspite of worshipping multiple divine powers of nature, stress has been laid on the absolute oneness of God.

The political system and democratic administrative system in ancient India existed in different forms in different periods. It can be described as follows : Political System during Sindhu Civilization – No clear information of the political system of this civilization is available.

On the basis of the remains found in the excavation it can be said that the life of the people and the rule was peaceful. Due to their peaceful life they had trading relations with other countries. The Vedic Period – During the Vedic age, there was well – ordered political system.

We find the record of Sabha and Samiti both in the Rigveda and the Atharva Veda. These political organistions in those days put a check on the absolute powers of the king. Samiti was a body of the representatives of the people. Sabha was the body of experienced, senior and prestigious people.

The Epic Age-During this period, the political system had grown very strong. The post of the king was dynastic but the Vedic principles too had a say in determining the king. The king was bound to religion, duty and to the cause of the people. During the age of Mahabharata, there were 18 departments in the council of ministers. Each department was called a “Tirth”.

The Mahajanapada Age – The greatest political achievement of this age was the strong development of both monarchy and democracy. During the Rigveda period the ‘Jan’ had no permanent geographical base. In the post vedic period, the Jans began to settle down so they began to be called Janapadas.

By the Buddha period, the Janapadas had begun to be fully developed. The weaker states began to be merged with stronger states and the Janapada took the shape of Mahajanapadas.

Correct Answer is: (a) Raja Bhoj

The most powerful Mahajanpadas were–Kosal, Magadh, Vats and Avanti.

These are – 

1. Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) Culture. 

2. Black and Red Ware (BRW) Culture. 

3. Grey Painted Ware (GPW) Culture. Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Culture. 

4. North Black Painted Ware (NBPW) Culture.

The description of making boats is found in the book ‘Yukti Kalptaru’ written by king Bhoj.

The man of Neolithic age started cattle breeding and agriculure. He began to make tools.

The most important and wonderful feature of this civilization was its planning of cities. The archaeologists are astonished to see the planning of cities of this civilization. 

The main features are as follows:

1. Well planned roads and streets – The main streets and roads are broad and were set in a line, sometimes running straight for a mile and were varying in width with from 4 metres to 10 metres. The main streets intersected at right angles, dividing the city into squares or rectangular blocks each of which was divided lengthwise and cross – wise by lanes.

2. Well planned drainage system – The drainage system of this civilization was very well planned. The houses had a covered drain connected to the big drain in the street. Through the drainage systems dirty water was drained out of the city.

Big drains were covered with slabs. The street drains had manholes at regular gaps so that they could be cleaned. This far advanced drainage system shows that those people were aware of health and sanitation..

3. Houses – In this civilization, houses were also constructed in a planned manner. The houses were of different sizes varying from a palatial building to one with two small rooms. The houses had a well, a bathroom, and a covered drain connected to the big drain in the street.

The buildings were made of baked bricks. The special feature of the houses was that rooms were built around an open courtyard. Toilets, doors and windows etc. were properly built.

4. Great Bath – This is one of the largest buildings in Mohenjodaro measuring 180 feet by 108 feet. The bathing pool is 39 feet long, 28 feet wide and 8 feet deep. It was in the centre of the quadrangle, surrounded with varandahs, rooms and galleries. A flight of steps led to the pool. It had side entrances.

5. Great Granary – Another large building in the city was the Great Granary. This was made about 45 metre long and 15 metre wide. It was meant to store foodgrains. The granary also had smaller halls and corridors

6. Huge water reservoir and stadium – From the excavation of Dholaveera, 16 big and small water reserviors have been found. It proves that those people had knowledge of water conservation. Remains of a huge stadium have also been found. All the above mentioned features show that the people of Sindhu – Saraswati civilization led a systematic life. They had all the necessary facilities.

Correct Answer is : (a) Rigveda

The culture of ancient India has been superb in the field of science and art. The achievements of India in the field of science and art have not only benefited India but also the entire world. We can describe the proficiency of ancient India in the field of science and art as follows

Proficiency in the field of Science : In the Vedas, we find vivid description of Ayurveda and medical science. Ayurvedic treatment is very ancient in India. Charak, Sushrut and Dhanwantri were the chief scholars in this field. In the field of numerology, the Indians were far ahead of other global mathematicians.

The Indian scholars were familiar with zero and its use much earlier than the other scholars of the world. The Yajurveda contains many numbers as 1012. This indicates that the Indians could write such big numbers. After the Vikram Samvat, the Indians knew how to write 1053 The Indian astrologers gained knowledge of the stars and planets in the space.

From the Indian calendar system (Panchang), it appears that the shape of the earth and its movements, the solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse, the planets and the subplanets, the motion of the stars etc., all knowledge about them was as accurate as it is today.

Proficiency in the field of Art: During the Vedic period, Indians were capable of melting the metal and could hammer this molten metal into different shapes. The Making of gold jewellery is mentioned in Rigveda. Ear ornaments, nose-rings, gold coins and coins of various values were made. The Vedic Aryans were familiar with weaving cloth, spinning the cotton etc.

The Buddha caves at Colvi, the stupas at Sanchi and Amravati, the Chaityas and Viharas at Kanheri (Mumbai), at Karle bhaja (in the midst of Mumbai and Pune) are the best examples of the art of Buddha’s age.

The river Saraswati was the life-line of the people during the vedic age.

From the dimensional point of view (area coverage), there are 917 excavation cities of this civilization in India, 481 cities in Pakistan and 02 in Afghanistan. It spreads over 1600 km from the West to the East, 1400 km from the North to the South.

It extends to Afghanistan (Shotarg, Mundigak),Baluchistan (Sutkagaindoor, Sutkakhoh, Balakot), Sindh (Mohenjodaro), Choohardari Kotdiji, Judirajodara, Punjab (Pakistan), Harappa, Ganeriwal, Rehman Dheri, Sarai Khola, Jalilpur, East Punjab, Ropar, Saghol, Haryana (Banawali, Meelathal, Rakhigarhi), Rajasthan (Kalibangan), Peelibangan, Uttar Pradesh (Alamgirpur, Hulas), Gujarat (Rangpur, Dholaveera, Prabhas Ballan), Bay of Khambat and Maharashtra (Daimabad), which were the major cities of Sindhu – Saraswati civilization.

Five or six thousand years ago, there were fully developed ports in India. Sea routes, ports, ships etc. have were been very important from trading point of view. The major ports were Chole, Dabhol, Rajpur, Malvan, Goa, Kotayam, Konark, Machhalipattam and Kaveripattamm.

Navigation – There is a vivid description of building boats and their types by the Indian sailors in the book Yukti Kalpataru’ written by King Bhoj, the ruler of Dhar anagari.

Some Arab passengers have mentioned the use of iron – fish instrument by the Indian sailors in finding out the direction. Megasthenese has written about nine fleet of ships. When a fleet was out to sail on the sea, the head of the fleet was regarded as the chief naval officer of the fleet.

Kul was the smallest unit of political life in the Vedic age

The pitakas contain the principles and conduct of Buddhism. These are three in number-Sutta pitak, Vinay pitak and Abhidhamma pitak, so these are called tripitakas.

In the Vedic Age, well organised political system came into practice. Family was the smallest unit of this political system. Nation was the biggest unit of this system. Rashtra (nation)Jan – Vish – gram (village) and kul (family) were the organisations of the political system in descending order. There were many jans in one nation.

The head of the ‘kuľ was called Kulup and the head of village was called gramine. The official of the vish was called Vishpati. The head of Jan was called Gop. The country / state was called Rashtra and the king was its head. The office of the king was dynastic. There are records in the Rigveda that on some occasions, the king was elected from the loyal family.

We see Public welfare state in those days. The king while ascending the throne, had to take oath of the people’s cause. The people paid taxes to the king and the taxes were called Baliharat. In the Rigveda, we find the mention of Panchjana at many places. There used to be five jans. They were-Anu, Yasstu, Turvas, Puru and Duhe.

The types of boats are mentioned in the book ‘Yukti Kalptaru’ by king Bhoj.

Correct Answer is : (a) Agnipurana

Three Brahmin granthas (texts) are – Aitereya, Kaushitaki and Shatpath.

Vanshawali is the most dependable source for a person to know about his / her traditions, culture, original residence, development, family, family – religion, the family customs, gotra and the names of his ancestors. In the ancient history of India and in our holy puranas, Vanshawali have played an important role in writing the history of that period. We find the records of many historical events in such Vanshawalies.

Maharishi Kanad propounded the theory of matter and its constituent elements on the basis of atoms.