1997 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies

Question 98: History and Culture

Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?

aChaturvedi Mangalam
bParishad
cAshtadikgaja
dManigrama

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Manigrama was a well-known merchant guild or corporation of early South India, active in trade. Chaturvedi Mangalam was a Brahmin settlement, a parishad was a council or assembly, and Ashtadiggaja were the eight poets of Krishnadevaraya's court. Remember Manigrama by its link with trade.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Chaturvedi Mangalam was a Brahmin village or settlement.
  • (b) A parishad was a council or assembly of learned persons.
  • (c) Ashtadiggaja were eight poets at the court of Krishnadevaraya.
  • (d) Right: Manigrama was a corporation of merchants.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.