60th-62nd Prelims 2017

Explanation:

The Chinese traveler 'Sung Yun' visited India during 515-520 AD in quest of Buddhist texts and returned to China with 170 Mahayana texts. Other notable Chinese travelers include: Fahien [405-411 AD], who visited India during Chandragupta II's reign and authored 'Fo-kyu-Ki'; Hieun Tsang [630-645 AD], who visited during Harshavardhana's reign, stayed 15 years, and wrote 'Si-yu-ki'; I-Sting [671-695 AD], who studied Buddhism in India and documented social, religious, and cultural life. [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

The terracotta model of 'Plough' was found at Banawali, located on the Ghaggar river in Hisar district, Haryana, excavated by R.S. Bisht in 1973. Banawali shows evidence of Pre-Harappan and Harappan culture but lacks systematic drainage and iron-grid town planning. Other sites: Dholavira (unique water harvesting, stadium), Kalibangan (ploughed field, seven fire altars, toy cart wheels, Mesopotamian seals), Lothal (dockyard, rice husk, fire altars, terracotta ship). [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

The history of the Chedi dynasty, post-Mauryan period, is known from the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela, the third ruler. Kharavela was a follower of Jainism and patronized Jain monks. He constructed caves for their residence on the Udaygiri hill near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Note: Satavahana Dynasty [60 BC-225 AD] was in Deccan; notable rulers include Simuka, Krishna, Sri Satkarni, Gautamiputra Satakarni, and Pulamavi IV. [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

'Diwan-E-Arj' was a military department established by Ghiyasuddin Balban, responsible for army organization and defense. Other important departments during the Delhi Sultanate include: Diwan-i-Wizarat (Finance), Diwan-i-Insha (Correspondence), Diwan-i-Mustakharaj (Revenue Arrears, Alauddin Khilji), Diwan-i-Riyasat (Commerce, Alauddin Khilji), Diwan-i-Kohi (Agriculture, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq), Diwan-i-Bandgan (Slaves, Firoz Tughlaq), Diwan-i-Khairat (Charity, Firoz Tughlaq), Diwan-i-Isthiaq (Pensions, Firoz Tughlaq). [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

'Aprahat' land refers to uncultivated forest land. Referenced in 'Amarakosha' by Amarsimha, a courtier of Chandragupta II. Gupta era land classifications: Keshtra (cultivable), Vasti (habitable), Sarah (pasture), Khila (wasteland), Aprahat (uncultivated forest land). [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

Jaswant and Dasawan were famous painters in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar established painting departments and karkhanas. Other notable painters: Humayun (Sayyid Ali, Abdul Samad), Jahangir (Abul Hasan, Bishan Das, Mansur, Inayat, Balchand), Shahjahan (Mir Hasim, Fakir Ulla, Muhammad Nadir Samarkandi, Murar, Hunar Muhammad Nadir, Anoop, Chitra). [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

The founder of the Bahmani Kingdom was Alauddin Bahman Shah, also known as Hasan Gangu in 1347. The capital was Gulbarga. Fourteen sultans ruled the kingdom, including Alauddin Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I, and Firoz Shah. Ahmad Wali Shah later shifted the capital to Bidar. The kingdom peaked under Muhammad Shah III, extending from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, aided by his minister Mahmud Gawan. [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]

Explanation:

Abdur Razzak (1443-44 AD), a Persian ambassador of Sharukh of the Timurid Dynasty, visited India during the reign of Dev Raya II of the Sangama dynasty of Vijayanagara. He documented the life and events in Calicut under the Zamorin and the city of Vijayanagara at Hampi in his book 'Majma-ul-Bahrain'. Other foreign travelers: Nicolo de Conti visited Deva Raya I, Duarte Barbosa and Dominigo Paes visited Krishnadeva Raya, Caesar Frederick visited Sadashiva Raya. [60-62nd BPSC Prelims Exam 2017]