Q91 · UPPSC Prelims 2018 · Set B · General Studies

← Q90 Q92 →

Which of the following inscriptions gives the information about two Ashwamedha Yajnas performed by the King Pushyamitra Shung?

A Saranath inscription
B Besnagar inscription
C Ayodhya inscription
D Hathigumpha inscription

Correct answer: (c) Ayodhya inscription

Explanation

  1. A

    Saranath inscription

    Sarnath inscriptions are central to Ashoka and later Buddhist history, not the record of Pushyamitra’s two ashvamedhas. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    Besnagar inscription

    The Besnagar (Vidisha) inscription of Heliodorus is a Garuda pillar of a Bhagavata ambassador, not Pushyamitra’s horse-sacrifices. This option is therefore wrong.

  3. C

    Ayodhya inscription

    The Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva, a first-century BCE ruler claiming Shunga descent, states that Pushyamitra performed two ashvamedha sacrifices. That is the source asked. This option is the official key.

  4. D

    Hathigumpha inscription

    The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga does not give this Pushyamitra detail. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c) Ayodhya inscription. Dhanadeva’s Ayodhya stone credits Senapati Pushyamitra with two horse-sacrifices after the Mauryas. Sarnath, Besnagar and Hathigumpha are famous but other stories. Only (c) carries the two-ashvamedha notice.

Same topic · past papers

UPPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2020 · Q8 · UPPGS

    Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) : and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): We have much more information about Cholas than their predecessors. Reason (R): The Chola rulers adopted the practice of having inscriptions written on the walls of temples giving a historical narrative of their victories. Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

    View answer →

PDF