Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Kinship, Caste and Class

Question:

Match the following Historical figures in List 1 with the description that suits them in List 2:

List- 1 (Historical figures)

List- 2 (Description)

(A) Prabhavati Gupta

(I) practised polyandry as mentioned in an Indian epic

(B) Rudradaman

(II) claimed unique identity- eka Brahmana

(C) Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani

(III) reconstructed Sudarshana lake

(D) Draupadai

(IV) was a Vakataka and had access to resources

 

Options:

(A)- III, (B)- I, (C)- II, (D)- IV

(A)- II, (B)- IV, (C)- III, (D)- I

(A)- I, (B)- III, (C)- II, (D)- IV

(A)- IV, (B)- III, (C)- II, (D)- I

Correct Answer:

(A)- IV, (B)- III, (C)- II, (D)- I

Explanation:

Though there are instances of wealthy women, such as the Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta, the evidence suggests that, in general, upper-class women might have had access to resources, but control over land, cattle, and money was usually in the hands of men. This created social distinctions between men and women due to differences in resource access.

An early Sanskrit inscription narrates how Rudradaman, a prominent Shaka ruler from the second century CE, reconstructed Sudarshana lake, suggesting their acquaintance with Sanskritic traditions.

Interestingly, the well-known ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani, claimed a unique identity (A unique Brahmana (eka Brahmana)) as a Brahmana and a destroyer of Kshatriya pride.

The Mahabharata presents one of its most challenging episodes, Draupadi's marriage with the Pandavas, which revolves around the concept of polyandry. The authors of the epic attempted to explain this event in various ways, reflecting the complexity of the issue.