Ans: A

Exp:

The Nandas extended the Magadhan power by conquering Kalinga from where they brought an image of jina as a victory trophy. All this took place during the reign of Mahapadma Nanda. This ruler claimed to be Ekarat, the sole sovereign who had destroyed all the other ruling princes. It seems that he captured not only Kalinga but also Koshala which had probably rebelled against him.

Ans: A

Exp:

Udayana was the king of Vatsa Mahajanapada. He was also the hero of three Sanskrit dramas which were known as Svapnavasavadatta written by Bhasa, Priyadarshika and Ratnavali written by Harsha. The dramatist Bhasa, has immortalised one of the Kings of the Vatsas named Udayana in his plays. These plays are based on the story of the romantic affair between Udayana and Vasavadatta, the Princess of Avanti. 

Ratnavali is based on the lives of the magnificent King Udayana and the lovely Princess Ratnavali.

The Priyadarshika of Harsha centres on the union of Udayana and Priyadarshini, emperor Dridhavarman’s daughter.

Ans: D

Exp:

The expansion of Magadha, the largest state in India before the Mauryas, was driven by several factors. 

• The rulers of Magadha, such as Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, and Mahapadma Nanda, were ambitious and used various means to conquer their neighbours. 
  • Magadha also had geographical advantages, such as rich iron deposits, strategic capitals, abundant timber, fertile soil, and easy river transport. 
• Magadha also benefited from the rise of towns and trade in the mid-Gangetic plains, which provided them with wealth and resources.
• Magadha enjoyed an advantageous geographical position in the age of iron, because the richest iron deposits were situated not far away from Rajgir, the earliest capital of Magadha. The ready availability of the rich iron ores in the neighbourhood enabled the Magadhan princes to equip themselves with effective weapons which were not easily available to their rivals. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The two capitals of Magadha, the first at Rajgir and the second at Pataliputra, were situated at very strategic points. Rajgir was surrounded by a group of five hills, and so it was impregnable in those days when there was no easy means of storming citadels such as cannons. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The princes of Magadha also benefited from the rise of towns and use of metal money. A Pali text speaks of twenty towns in the age of the Buddha. Most of them were located in the mid-Gangetic plains. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Ans: C

Exp: 

Haryanka Dynasty (544-413 BC): Haryanka is the name of a new dynasty founded in Magadha by Bimbisara after overthrowing the Brihadrathas.

Sisunaga Dynasty (413-345 BC): According to the Buddhist tradition Udayin and his three successors were all unworthy to rule. So the people got disgusted and elected Sisunaga as the king, the minister of the last king, and hence called it the Sisunaga Dynasty.

Nanda Dynasty (345-322 BC): Kalasoka, the son and the successor of Sisunaga, was succeeded by a barber (according to some accounts) named Mahapadma Nanda, who founded a new dynasty known as the Nandas. 

Ans: C

Exp:

The establishment of the Mauryan dynasty by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 B.C. signifies a significant turning point in the early history of India. Among the most crucial literary sources from this period are the Arthasastra authored by Kautilya The Arthashastra, a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, offers advice to rulers on the governance of their realms and the fulfilment of their responsibilities.  The Indica written by the Greek ambassador Megasthenes. It provides an account of ancient India, as observed by Megasthenes during his embassy to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.  Hence, Option 1 is correct.

In addition to these works, the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, two historical texts originating from Ceylon, along with the play Mudrarakshasa by Visakhadatta, serve as valuable sources of information on the historical and cultural context of ancient India during the Mauryan period.  Hence, Option 2 and 4 are correct.

The works of Kalidasa who lived during the Gupta period comprise poems and dramas. The famous among them are Abhijananashakuntalam, Ritusamhara and Meghadutam.  Hence, Option 3 is incorrect.