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The document discusses the limitations of inscriptions as historical sources, highlighting that they often reflect the perspective of the powerful and lack information on common people's socio-cultural lives. It also covers ancient manuscripts in India, noting that they were primarily written on birch bark and other materials. Additionally, it includes matching exercises related to types of inscriptions and texts that mention the sixteen great states of ancient India.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
7 views1 page

d2

The document discusses the limitations of inscriptions as historical sources, highlighting that they often reflect the perspective of the powerful and lack information on common people's socio-cultural lives. It also covers ancient manuscripts in India, noting that they were primarily written on birch bark and other materials. Additionally, it includes matching exercises related to types of inscriptions and texts that mention the sixteen great states of ancient India.

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savita137sharna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NCERT MCQs • Sources of Ancient History 05

19. With reference to limitations of inscriptions as a Royal inscriptions as evident from the name were the
source of historical reconstruction, which of the orders and decree which were issued in the form of
following statement(s) is/are correct? inscription.
(Chap 2, Class-XII, New NCERT)
Eulogy was written in praise of kings and warriors in
inscription form. It was usually written in exaggeration
1. The content of the inscriptions only projects the and tells about the exploits of the King.
perspective of the person(s) who commissioned Donative inscriptions had records of donations made by
them. women and men to religious institutions. These people
2. History regarding socio-cultural life of the were mostly merchants and traders.
common people is often missing in the
inscriptions. Literary Sources
3. As all of them are recorded on perishable
materials which provides scope for alteration.
21. The ancient manuscripts of India were written on
which of the following materials?
Codes
(Chap 3, Class-XI, Old NCERT)
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) Wooden tablets (b) Copper plate
j Ans. (a)
(c) Sheep leather (d) Birch bark
Exp. Statements (1) and (2) are correct with reference j Ans. (d)
to limitations of inscriptions as a source of historical
reconstruction. Inscriptions were commissioned by Exp. The ancient manuscripts of India were written on
people who were kings or in power and usually contain birch bark. Although the ancient Indians knew writing
what they wanted to show or perspective of the ruling as early as 2500 BC, most ancient manuscripts, not
elites. The history regarding socio-cultural life of people older than the fourth century AD have been found in
is often missing in the sculptures. Central Asia. In India, they were written on birch bark
Statement (3) is incorrect as some of the inscriptions and palm leaves, but in Central Asia, where the Prakrit
were also recorded on non-perishable materials such as language had spread from India, manuscripts were also
stones and metals. written on sheep leather and wooden tablets.

20. Match the following lists correctly and choose the 22. In which of the following texts the list of the
correct code. (Chap 2, Class-XII, New NCERT)
sixteen great states (Shodasa Mahajanapadas) of
ancient India occur?
List I List II (Chap-2, Class-XI, Old NCERT) (RAS, RTS 2016)
(Types of Inscriptions) (Characteristics)
1. Arthashastra 2. Anguttara Nikaya
A. Votive 1. Highlights the achievements
3. Digha Nikaya 4. Bhagavati Sutra
of conquerors and rulers
Codes
B. Royal 2. Gifts of money and cattle by
artisans and merchants (a) 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4
C. Eulogy 3. Gifts made to religious (c) 1 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 3
institutions j Ans. (b)

D. Donative 4. Decree issued by the Kings Exp. Among the given options, the Buddhist text,
and Princes Anguttara Nikaya and Digha Nikaya give the list of
sixteen great states (Shodasa Mahajanapadas) of ancient
Codes
India. These sixteen Mahajanapadas occured around
A B C D A B C D 600 BC and is referred as the period of second
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 3 1 4 urbanisation in India. The list of sixteen Mahajanapadas
(c) 2 1 4 3 (d) 3 4 1 2 is also found in Jaina text Bhagavati Sutra.
j Ans. (d) Arthashastra is treatise on statecraft written by Kautilya.
Exp. The correct matching is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. It gives information regarding the state of polity
Votive By the second century BC, short votive prevalent in Mauryan Empire.
inscriptions were found. These mention the name of the
donor, and sometimes specify his/ her occupation as 23. The best example of the earliest historical writing
well. They tell us about people who lived in towns i.e., is provided in the Rajatarangini written by
weavers, scribes, carpenters, potters, goldsmiths, (Chap 3, Class-XI, Old NCERT) (BPSC Pre 2011)
blacksmiths, officials, religious teachers, merchants and (a) Kalhana (b) Bilhana
kings. (c) Kalidasa (d) Panini

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