Trade, Economy & Guilds in Ancient India UPSC PYQ

Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?

1. AAn advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
2. BA diary to be maintained for daily accounts
3. CA bill of exchange
4. DAn order from the feudal lord to his subordinates

With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.

1. A1 and 2 only
2. B3 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?

1. AAs compared to other countries, India had a better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times
2. BThe rulers of southern India always patronized traders, brahmin priests and buddhist monks in this context
3. CMonsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages
4. DBoth (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context