QUES: Eventually, the Licchavi ruler Gunakamadeva merged Koligram and Dakshin Koligram, founding the city of Kathmandu. The city was designed in the shape of Chandrahrasa, the sword of Manjushri. The city was surrounded by eight barracks guarded by Ajimas. One of these barracks is still in use at Bhadrakali (in front of Singha Durbar). The city served as an important transit point in the trade between India and Tibet, leading to tremendous growth in architecture. Descriptions of buildings such as Managriha, Kailaskut Bhawan, and Bhadradiwas Bhawan have been found in the surviving journals of travelers and monks who lived during this era. For example, the famous 7th-century Chinese traveller Xuanzang described Kailaskut Bhawan, the palace of the Licchavi king Amshuverma. The trade route also led to cultural exchange as well. The artistry of the Newar peoplethe indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valleybecame highly sought after during this era, both within the Valley and throughout the greater Himalayas. Newar artists travelled extensively throughout Asia, creating religious art for their neighbors. For example, Araniko led a group of his compatriot artists through Tibet and China. Bhrikuti, the princess of Nepal who married Tibetan monarch Songtsan Gampo, was instrumental in introducing Buddhism to Tibet.

Who did Chandrahrasa belong to?
What is the answer?
ANS: Manjushri
QUES: The Sanskrit grammatical tradition, Vyakarana, one of the six Vedangas, began in the late Vedic period and culminated in the Astadhyayi of Panini, which consists of 3990 sutras (ca. fifth century BCE). About a century after Panini (around 400 BCE), Katyayana composed Vartikas on the Panini sutras. Patanjali, who lived three centuries after Panini, wrote the Mahabhasya, the "Great Commentary" on the Astadhyayi and Vartikas. Because of these three ancient Vyakaranins (grammarians), this grammar is called Trimuni Vyakarana. To understand the meaning of the sutras, Jayaditya and Vamana wrote a commentary, the Kasika, in 600 CE. Paninian grammar is based on 14 Shiva sutras (aphorisms), where the whole matrika (alphabet) is abbreviated. This abbreviation is called the Pratyahara.

What is the abbreviated alphabet called?
What is the answer?
ANS: Pratyahara
QUES: Modern Rajasthan includes most of Rajputana, which comprises the erstwhile nineteen princely states, two chiefships, and the British district of Ajmer-Merwara. Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Mewar (Chittorgarh), Alwar and Dhundhar (Jaipur) were some of the main Rajput princely states. Bharatpur and Dholpur were Jat princely states whereas Tonk was a princely state under a Muslim Nawab. Rajput families rose to prominence in the 6th century CE. The Rajputs put up a valiant resistance to the Islamic invasions and protected this land with their warfare and chivalry for more than 500 years. They also resisted Mughal incursions into India and thus contributed to their slower-than-anticipated access to the Indian subcontinent. Later, the Mughals, through skilled warfare, were able to get a firm grip on northern India, including Rajasthan. Mewar led other kingdoms in its resistance to outside rule. Most notably, Rana Sanga fought the Battle of Khanua against Babur, the founder of the Mughal empire.

How many princely states are included in Alwar?
What is the answer?
ANS:
unanswerable