Gardening in ancient and medieval period – arbori horticulture MCQ for ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, All Agriculture Competitive Exams. 1. Which civilization revered trees and worshipped them during the Chalcolithic period? – A) Mesopotamian Civilization – B) Egyptian Civilization – C) Indus Valley Civilization – D) Greek Civilization **Answer: C) Indus Valley Civilization** Explanation: The passage mentions that during the chalcolithic period, the people of the Indus Valley Civilization had great reverence for trees and worshipped them. 2. Which tree was considered sacred by the ancient people of the Indus Valley? – A) Mango – B) Neem – C) Oak – D) Pine **Answer: B) Neem** Explanation: The passage specifically mentions neem (Azadirachta indica) as one of the sacred trees held in reverence by the ancient people of the Indus Valley. 3. What is the term used to describe the belief that trees were symbolic of gods and goddesses in the Indus Valley Civilization? – A) Arboreal Worship – B) Vriksha Devata – C) Botanic Devotion – D) Tree Deification **Answer: B) Vriksha Devata** Explanation: The passage mentions the belief in vriksha devata or vriksha devi, which refers to the gods and goddesses believed to dwell within trees in the Indus Valley Civilization. 4. According to the passage, what were trees considered to be in ancient India? – A) Merely Natural Elements – B) Divine and Spiritual Entities – C) Economic Resources Only – D) Obstacles to Human Progress **Answer: B) Divine and Spiritual Entities** Explanation: The passage states that in ancient India, trees were considered divine and spiritual, symbolizing various aspects such as tree knowledge, the tree of life, and medicinal properties. 5. What literary texts mentioned the Cosmic Tree rooted in the Brahman during the Mauryan period? – A) Vedas and Upanishads – B) Greek Epics – C) Chinese Classics – D) Persian Poetry **Answer: A) Vedas and Upanishads** Explanation: The passage states that texts like Vedas and Upanishads from the Mauryan period described the Cosmic Tree rooted in the Brahman. 6. Which period saw vast secular literature and texts discussing various aspects of trees and nature? – A) Gupta Period – B) Mauryan Period – C) Vedic Period – D) Kushan Period **Answer: B) Mauryan Period** Explanation: The passage mentions that after the rise of the Mauryas in the 4th to 3rd century BC, there was vast secular literature and texts discussing trees and nature. 7. What were the branches of the Cosmic Tree described in the Upanishads? – A) Wood, Leaves, and Fruits – B) Space, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth – C) Love, Hope, and Faith – D) Sun, Moon, and Stars **Answer: B) Space, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth** Explanation: According to the passage, the Upanishads describe the branches of the Cosmic Tree as space, wind, fire, water, and earth. 8. Which tree was personified as human attributes in the archaeological evidences of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa? – A) Mango – B) Pipal (Ficus religiosa) – C) Olive – D) Willow **Answer: B) Pipal (Ficus religiosa)** Explanation: The passage mentions that in archaeological evidences of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, certain trees like pipal were personified with human attributes. 9. What did trees symbolize in the Indus Valley Civilization? – A) Material Wealth – B) Environmental Balance – C) Gods and Goddesses – D) Agricultural Productivity **Answer: C) Gods and Goddesses** Explanation: The passage indicates that in the Indus Valley Civilization, trees were believed to symbolize gods and goddesses, with divine entities dwelling within them. 10. Which period marked the belief in trees as the tree of life and medicinal resources? – A) Gupta Period – B) Vedic Period – C) Mauryan Period – D) Harappan Period **Answer: B) Vedic Period** Explanation: The passage suggests that in ancient India, particularly during the Vedic period, trees were believed to symbolize the tree of life and were also seen as medicinal resources. 11. Which tree is identified with Shiva in Brahmanical religion? – A) Ashoka (Saraca asoca) – B) Asvattha (Ficus religiosa) – C) Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) – D) Bilva (Aegle marmelos) **Answer: B) Asvattha (Ficus religiosa)** Explanation: According to the passage, in Brahmanical religion, the tree identified with Shiva is asvattha (Ficus religiosa). 12. Which of the following trees is associated with Lord Buddha’s birth and attainment of nirvana? – A) Ashoka (Saraca asoca) – B) Pipal (Ficus religiosa) – C) Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) – D) Amla (Emblica officinalis) **Answer: B) Pipal (Ficus religiosa)** Explanation: The passage mentions that Lord Buddha was born under the pipal tree and attained nirvana under the bodhi tree, which is also a type of pipal tree. 13. What kind of tree is the bodhi tree, sacred to Buddhists? – A) Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) – B) Ashoka (Saraca asoca) – C) Pipal (Ficus religiosa) – D) Amla (Emblica officinalis) **Answer: C) Pipal (Ficus religiosa)** Explanation: The passage indicates that the bodhi tree, under which the Buddha attained nirvana, is sacred to Buddhists, and it is a type of pipal tree. 14. Which of the following literary works describes the layout of gardens and parks in the city of Indraprastha? – A) Vedas – B) Ramayana – C) Mahabharata – D) Jatakas **Answer: C) Mahabharata** Explanation: The passage mentions that the layout of gardens and parks in the city of Indraprastha is described in the Sabha-Parva of the Mahabharata. 15. Which tree is predominant in the Ashokavana or Panchavati garden where Sita was held captive in the Ramayana? – A) Bilva (Aegle marmelos) – B) Amla (Emblica officinalis) – C) Ashoka (Saraca asoca) – D) Asvattha (Ficus religiosa) **Answer: C) Ashoka (Saraca asoca)** Explanation: The passage mentions that Ashoka trees were predominant in the Ashokavana or Panchavati garden where Sita was held captive in the Ramayana. 16. According to the passage, which literary work mentions Kalpavrksa and kalpalata? – A) Vedas – B) Ramayana – C) Mahabharata – D) Jatakas **Answer: B) Ramayana** Explanation: The passage states that Kalpavrksa and kalpalata are mentioned in the