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Khub.info Learn TNPSC exam and online pratice

CIVILISATION

Q1. What does "Civilization" mean?
Means..1. Cultural and intellectual development
2. the period of people's getting civilized, socially organized in a high order.
3. the positive change in the culture of society, country over a period of time.
Q2. When did the civilization have actually started settling down?
About 5000 years ago.
Q3. The famous civilizations have started settling along which valleys?

1.  Tigris and Euphrates - Mesopotamian Civilization.

2.  Nile Valley, Egypt - Egyptian Civilization.

3.  Indus Valley - Indus Valley civilization.

4.  Hwang Ho valley, China - Chinese civilization.

Q4. India is historically influenced by which civilization?
Aryan Civilisation - because of their occupying most of north India and their language and religious beliefs.
Q5. Who were the earliest settlers in India?
Aryans. - ancient people of Europe, Iran and India who called themselves so. Descendants of the Aryans include speakers of Sanskrit and Avestan which are related to the Indo European languages. About 3500 years ago both Iranians and Indians used the name Aryans to mean their shared ancestors and "nobles".
Q6. What is the estimated period of Indus Valley Civilisation?
3000 BC to 1500 BC - extending upto 700 BC as later Vedic Age.
Q7. What are the major cities or sites of Indus Valley Civilization?
  1. MOHENJODARO & HARAPPA : now in Sind and Punjab provinces of Pakistan.
  2. LOTHAL near Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
  3. KALIBANGAN in Rajasthan.
  4. BANWALI - Hissar Dt., Haryana5. ROPAR - near Chandigarh, Punjab.
Q8. What were the causes of the disappearance of Indus Valley Civilization?
Invasion of Aryans and other natural causes like floods, earthquakes etc.,
Q9. Who were Aryans and their period of presence is known as?
Aryans are semi-nomadic pastoral people who originally inhabited around the Caspian Sea in Central AsiTheir period of presence is known as the "Early Vedic Age" or "The Vedic Period" dating between 1500 to 1000 BC.
Q10. What are the regions occupied by Aryans in Indian subcontinent?
Aryans first settled around Punjab and later spread to eastern India on the Gangetic plains and most of the western parts from Afghanistan to Uttar Pradesh.
Q11. Aryans worshipped and followed which religion?
They were lovers of nature and worshipped Sun, Water, Fire etc., thus forming the basis for Hinduism/Hindu civilization to originate and prosper.
Q12. What were the religious books of Aryans?
VEDAS - 1. Rig 2. Sama 3. Yajur and 4. Atharvana (more about this the chapter of Hinduism).
Q13. What are the famous archaeological sites on the Aryan Civilization?
HASTINAPUR - Meerut Dt., Uttar PradeshAHICHATRA - Bareily Dt., Uttar Pradesh.KAUSAMBI - A district in Uttar Pradesh.
Q14. What was the language spoken by Aryans?
Sanskrit.
Q15. The Vedic Age extended upto which period and what were the developments?

Extended upto 700 BC and the developments were;

1. Smaller settlements expanded to become stronger kingdoms. Kings becoming more powerful.

2. Caste system became more predominant and the society came under the four basic castes, based on their occupation which later to become a hereditary practice:

 

1. BRAHMINS - the priestly class;

2. KSHATRIYAS - the military class;

3. VAISHYAS - the business class

4. SUDRAS - the labour class.

 

3. Permanent military established and maintained for protection.

4. Trading industry began.

5. Kshatriyas becoming Kings on a hereditary basis and a royal court with advisors to the kings gaining regularity. Thus came the dynasty rule.

6. Hinduism dominating the religion thus more literature on Shastras, Upavedas, Vedangas came to be written during this period.

7. Bigger cities like Ayodhya, Mathura and Indraprastha came into existence.

8. Kings were called Samrat, Rajah, Bhoja etc.,

Q16. How were the advisors in the royal courts known?
PUROHITAS - priests and chief advisors.
SENAPATI - Commander in Chief of Army.
SUTA - Charioteer.
SANGRAHITA - Treasurer and
BHADUGAS - tax collector.
Q17. Other than Vedas, what are the other literatures that were brought out during the Aryan period?

 

BRAHMANAS : Throw light on the socio-political life of the Aryans and form a sort of explanation of their religion especially sacrifice. It also contain ritualistic formulae for the respective Veda and Priests.

ARANYAKAS: Treaties on mysticism and philosophy and are the concluding portion of the Brahmanas. It explains the metaphysics and symbolism of sacrifice.

UPANISHADS: The main source of Indian Philosophy. There are about 300 of them, of which 10 have attracted world wide attention as they deal with philosophy and theology of the Aryans. These are commentaries which are appended to the Aranyakas and deal with philosophy and religion.

PURANAS: 18 numbers. Of them Bhagawat and Vishnu Puranas are the most important ones. They give religious and historical details of the Aryan civilization and contain legends, rituals, traditions and moral codes.