Ancient Indian History

The Prayaga Prashasti describes Samudragupta's victories. For exams, connect it with Harisena and the Allahabad Pillar.

The governing concept is the use of travellers’ accounts as evidence for reconstructing ancient Indian history. Xuanzang, known in Indian textbooks as Hiuen Tsang, travelled to India in the seventh century CE during the reign of Harshavardhana. He described Harsha’s kingdom, cities, social practices and Buddhist centres, and he studied at Nalanda. Ashoka belonged to the Mauryan period many centuries earlier, Bimbisara ruled Magadha before the Mauryas, and Kanishka belonged to the Kushana period. Thus option A is the only historically suitable answer.

The Kallanai dam is associated with Karikala Chola. For exams, remember it as an example of irrigation in ancient South India.

The Chera emblem is considered to be the bow. For exams, remember the emblems of Chera, Chola, and Pandya separately.

Madurai was the main capital of the Pandya kingdom. For exams, link it with Sangam literature and Tamil culture.

Most of Ashoka's inscriptions are in the Brahmi script. For exams, also remember the use of Kharosthi in the north-west region.

The Lumbini pillar inscription is linked with Buddha's birthplace. For exams, remember it as commemorative evidence set up by Ashoka.

Charaka Samhita is an important Ayurvedic text. For exams, connect Charaka with ancient Indian medicine.

Sushruta is associated with surgery. For exams, remember Sushruta Samhita as an important source for medical history.

Brahmagupta's Brahmasphutasiddhanta is famous for mathematics and rules of zero. For exams, treat it as an achievement of Indian mathematics.

Mohenjo-daro is commonly understood as Mound of the dead. For exams, remember the meaning and the site identity separately.

Dholavira is famous for its water management system and town planning. For exams, remember it as an important Harappan site in Gujarat.

Kalibangan has evidence of a ploughed field. For exams, remember it as an important Harappan site in Rajasthan.

Mehrgarh provides evidence of early farming and animal domestication. For exams, connect it with Neolithic life.

The Junagadh inscription is associated with Rudradaman I. For exams, connect it with Sanskrit inscription and Sudarshana Lake.

Mudrarakshasa is considered a work of Vishakhadatta. For exams, link it with Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya's politics.

Brihat Samhita is a famous work of Varahamihira. For exams, connect him with ancient Indian astrology and astronomy.

The Rath temples of Mahabalipuram are associated with Pallava art. For exams, remember them as examples of rock-cut temple architecture.

Rakhigarhi is an important Harappan site in Haryana. For exams, remember it among the large Harappan sites.

Harappan cities generally had streets crossing at right angles. For exams, treat this as evidence of planned urban design.