Archaeology of the British Raj

Description: Archaeology of the British Raj
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: archaeology british raj indian history
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What was the primary objective of the British Raj's archaeological efforts in India?

  1. To promote tourism

  2. To excavate ancient ruins

  3. To establish museums

  4. To suppress Indian cultural identity


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The British Raj's archaeological efforts were primarily focused on excavating ancient ruins in order to gain a better understanding of India's past and its cultural heritage.

Which British archaeologist is widely regarded as the father of Indian archaeology?

  1. Alexander Cunningham

  2. John Marshall

  3. James Prinsep

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Alexander Cunningham is considered the father of Indian archaeology due to his extensive surveys and excavations of ancient sites across India, including the ruins of Sanchi and Taxila.

Which archaeological site in India was first excavated by the British Raj in the 19th century?

  1. Mohenjo-daro

  2. Harappa

  3. Taxila

  4. Nalanda


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Taxila was the first archaeological site in India to be excavated by the British Raj in the 19th century, under the leadership of Alexander Cunningham.

What was the significance of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization by British archaeologists?

  1. It revealed a previously unknown ancient civilization in India.

  2. It provided evidence of India's trade relations with Mesopotamia.

  3. It led to the decipherment of the Indus script.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization by British archaeologists was significant because it revealed a previously unknown ancient civilization in India, provided evidence of India's trade relations with Mesopotamia, and led to the decipherment of the Indus script.

Which British archaeologist is credited with deciphering the Brahmi script?

  1. James Prinsep

  2. Alexander Cunningham

  3. John Marshall

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

James Prinsep is credited with deciphering the Brahmi script, an ancient Indian writing system, in the 19th century.

What was the primary focus of British archaeological research in India during the early 20th century?

  1. Excavating Buddhist sites

  2. Exploring ancient trade routes

  3. Investigating the origins of Hinduism

  4. Studying the architecture of Mughal monuments


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

During the early 20th century, British archaeological research in India primarily focused on excavating Buddhist sites, such as Sanchi and Nalanda, in order to gain a better understanding of Buddhism's history and influence in the region.

Which archaeological site in India is known for its well-preserved remains of a Mauryan palace?

  1. Pataliputra

  2. Taxila

  3. Nalanda

  4. Sarnath


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Pataliputra, the ancient capital of the Mauryan Empire, is known for its well-preserved remains of a Mauryan palace, which have been excavated by British archaeologists.

What was the main purpose of establishing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1861?

  1. To regulate archaeological excavations in India

  2. To preserve and protect ancient monuments

  3. To promote archaeological research and education

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 with the aim of regulating archaeological excavations in India, preserving and protecting ancient monuments, and promoting archaeological research and education.

Which British archaeologist led the excavation of Mohenjo-daro in the 1920s?

  1. John Marshall

  2. Alexander Cunningham

  3. James Prinsep

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John Marshall led the excavation of Mohenjo-daro in the 1920s, which revealed the remains of an ancient Indus Valley Civilization city.

What was the significance of the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in Egypt for archaeology in India?

  1. It helped decipher the Indus script.

  2. It provided evidence of ancient trade between India and Egypt.

  3. It led to the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India.

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The discovery of the Rosetta Stone in Egypt helped decipher the Indus script because it provided a key to understanding the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic script, which was similar to the Indus script.

Which British archaeologist is known for his work on the decipherment of the Kharoshthi script?

  1. James Prinsep

  2. Alexander Cunningham

  3. John Marshall

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

James Prinsep is known for his work on the decipherment of the Kharoshthi script, an ancient Indian writing system used in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent.

What was the main objective of the British Raj's archaeological efforts in India during the late 19th century?

  1. To promote tourism

  2. To excavate ancient ruins

  3. To establish museums

  4. To suppress Indian cultural identity


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

During the late 19th century, the British Raj's archaeological efforts focused on establishing museums to house and display artifacts excavated from ancient ruins, such as the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the Government Museum in Chennai.

Which British archaeologist is credited with discovering the ruins of the ancient city of Taxila?

  1. Alexander Cunningham

  2. John Marshall

  3. James Prinsep

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Alexander Cunningham is credited with discovering the ruins of the ancient city of Taxila in the Punjab region of Pakistan.

What was the main purpose of the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) conservation efforts during the British Raj?

  1. To restore ancient monuments to their original condition

  2. To prevent further deterioration of ancient monuments

  3. To make ancient monuments more accessible to tourists

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) conservation efforts during the British Raj aimed to restore ancient monuments to their original condition, prevent further deterioration, and make them more accessible to tourists.

Which British archaeologist is known for his work on the excavation of the ancient city of Nalanda?

  1. Alexander Cunningham

  2. John Marshall

  3. James Prinsep

  4. Max Müller


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

John Marshall is known for his work on the excavation of the ancient city of Nalanda, a renowned Buddhist monastic and educational center in Bihar, India.

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