In the first century AD, which among the following was not a major item of Indian exports to Rome?
- A.Pepper
- B.Spikenard
- C.Tortoiseshell
- D.Nutmeg
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Nutmeg. Nutmeg comes from the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of present-day Indonesia, and it was not one of the main goods India sent to Rome.
Trade between India and the Roman Empire grew strongly after sailors learnt to use the monsoon winds to cross the Arabian Sea. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a Greek guide of the first century AD, lists the goods loaded at Indian ports such as Muziris, Barygaza (Bharuch) and Arikamedu: pepper, spikenard, malabathrum, pearls, ivory, fine cotton cloth, precious stones and tortoiseshell. Rome paid largely in gold and silver coins, many of which have been found in south India, and Pliny complained of this drain of wealth.
Option A is wrong because pepper, called 'black gold' and Yavanapriya, dear to the Yavanas, was the chief export. Option B is wrong because spikenard, a costly perfumed oil from a Himalayan plant, was a prized export. Option C is wrong because tortoiseshell is listed among the goods shipped from India.
Exam tip: Indo-Roman trade: pepper the top export; ports Muziris, Barygaza, Arikamedu; source the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.
Practice Questions
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- A.He was a member of the moderate group of Congress.
- B.He was a member of the extremist group of Congress.
- C.He was the Minister of Defence in the first Government of independent India.
- D.He was the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
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- A.A. O. Hume
- B.Arthur Griffith
- C.Annie Besant
- D.Lord Dufferin
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Read the full explanation →Statement I : King Ashoka abolished capital punishment and disbanded his army.
Statement II : After Kalinga War, Ashoka was remorseful and became a Buddhist.
- A.Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
- B.Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
- C.Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- D.Statement I is false but Statement II is true
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Read the full explanation →The Hunter Commission (1882) appointed to survey the state of education in India
- A.deprecated University education
- B.overruled the Despatch of 1854
- C.endorsed the Despatch of 1854 with greater emphasis on primary education
- D.criticized the grants-in-aid system of schooling
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Read the full explanation →Which one of the following Viceroys was the first to officially shift his Council to Simla in summer season?
- A.John Lawrence
- B.Lord Dalhousie
- C.Lord Mayo
- D.William Bentinck
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In 1864 Sir John Lawrence made Simla the official summer capital, moving the Viceroy and his Council there from Calcutta for the hot months.
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