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UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Ancient History and Art & Culture

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UPSC Prelims Ancient History & Art and Culture - 2026

1) The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was
(a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
(c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

Correct Answer : (b)

Araghatta, an irrigation device was a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes.
2) Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Gunabhara’?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman

Correct Answer : (a)

Mahendravarman 1, the Pallava ruler (600-630A.D.) assumed the titles such as Mattavilasa, Gunabhra, Satyasandha, Chettakari, Chitrakaraputi, Vichitrachitta. The Manadagapattu inscription describes him as Vichitrachitta.

He was the author of Matavilassa Prahasana. The music inscription at Kudumianmalai is ascribed to him.
3) Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta

Correct Answer : (b)

Fa-hein, a buddhist scholar, visited India during Chandragupta II. He gave a detailed analysis of India in his work- “Record of Buddhist Kingdoms”. He praised the Gupta Administration and called Hinayana, Buddhism one of the major religions of India.
4) Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
(a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c) Rajendra 1 (Chola)
(d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

Correct Answer : (c)

Rajendra 1 of the Chola kingdom led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya.
5) With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs:
Territorial region River flowing in the region
(I) Asmaka Godavari
(II) Kamboja Vipas
(III) Avanti Mahanadi
(IV) Kosala Sarayu
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

Correct Answer : (b)

Pair I is correctly matched. River Godavari flows through the Asmaka region. Its capital was Podana.

Pair II is incorrect. The river Vitasta, called as Jhelum in the modern state flows through Kamboja. Kamboja is located in present day Pakistan. The Vipas river or the Beas river flows through present day Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

Pair III is incorrect. Avanti is located in the Malwa region. Mahanadi river does not flow through this region.

Pair IV is correct. Sarayu river flows through the region of Kosala.
6) Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and Yukta’ were important officers at the
(a) village-level administration
(b) district-level administration
(c) provincial administration
(d) level of the central administration

Correct Answer : (b)

Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta were important officers at the district level administration.

Pradeshika was overall in-charge of the district. Rajuka was heading the district administration and Yukta was a junior officer in the district.
7) The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in
(a) Delhi
(b) Gwalior
(c) Ujjain
(d) Lahore

Correct Answer : (d)

Vishnu Digambar Palushkar set up the first Gandharva Mahavidhalaya, a music training school in 1901 in Lahore. Later, it was shifted to Mumbai.
8) Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of ‘Gandhi Peace Prize’?

I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) II and IV only
(b) I, II and III
(c) II, III and IV
(d) I and III only

Correct Answer : (c)

The International Gandhi Peace Prize, started from 1995 is an initiative of Ministry of Culture to honour contribution of eminent personalities in the field of non-violence by transforming social, economic and political spheres. The award includes a citation and a prize money of Rs. 1 crore.

The jury members include the Prime Minster of India, Chief Justice of India, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and two eminent personalities.
9) The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
(a) carnelian
(b) clay
(c) bronze
(d) gold

Correct Answer : (c)

The Harappan civilization’s Dancing Girl figurine is made up of Bronze using the lost wax technique.
10) Consider the following statements-

I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., Kahapana, Nikkha, Kamsa, and Kakanika.

II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.

The above statements have been associated with which of the following?

1. Emergence of urban life
2. Transition to money economy

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : (c)

Coinage was introduced in 6th century BC as evidenced by Pali texts and punch marked coins this shows evidence of some major developments like-

Emergence of urban life: Wide use of coinage system indicates a well-defined monetary system with development of guild system and it shows the rise of 2nd urbanisation in the mahajanapada era.

Transition to money economy: coinage system put a limit to the ongoing barter system and introduced the modern money market economy.
11) Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:

I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.

Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : (a) 1 and 2

Statement 1 is correct. The occurrence of spindle whorls and absence of spinning wheels indicates that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.

Statement 2 is correct. The discovery of weights and measurement systems shows the scientific knowledge of Harappans. The weights were in the multiple of 16 to have a standardised system.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The presence of houses with private wells, bathrooms and rooms indicate private property system rather than common property system.
12) Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:

I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.

II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of Ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and Ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like Parashu / Kulisha (axe) and Datra / Sreni (sickle).
3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer : (c) 1 and 3

Statement 1 is correct. Rig Veda mentions about the use of Ashma Chakra and Ahava Chakra to draw up water that allowed agricultural irrigation to expand away from flood plains in Haryana, Punjab, etc.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Although Rig Veda mentions about the use of Parashu and Datra but it does not provide evidence regarding irrigation from wells or the use of draught animals for irrigation purposes.

Statement 3 is correct. It also supports the above information.
13) Consider the following assertion:

In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.

Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion?

1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda
2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote
3. The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systems

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer : (d) 3 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Nadi sukta mentions about these rivers in geographical terms but does not provide for such shifts taking place in these rivers.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Robert Brooce Foote, the father of Indian Prehistory did provide breathtaking discoveries but the Satluj-Yamuna explorations were attributed to E.H. Pascore and G.E. Pilgrim.

Statement 3 is correct. The presence of Platanista Gangetica or the Ganga River dolphin in both Ganga and Indus provides basis of a shared river history. These dolphins are freshwater mammals and are blind.
14) Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

1. Vitasta: Chenab
2. Asikni: Jhelum
3. Parushni: Ravi
4. Yavyavati: Beas

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 3 only
(d) 4 only

Correct Answer : (c) 3 only

The correct pairing is-

Vitasta - Jhelum
Askini - Chenab
Parushni - Ravi
Vipasha - Beas
15) Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

1. Senguttuvan: Chera
2. Udiyanjeral: Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan: Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer : (b) 2 only

Pair 1 is correctly matched. Sengattuvan was a Chera, often called as Red Chera or good Chera who started the Pattini cult, honouring Kannaghi, wife of Kovalan. This is a story of sangam dynasty in Mannimeghalai wriiten by Ilango Adikal.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Udiyanjeral was also a Chera. He was the first recorded historical ruler of Chera dynasty and is known for serving the mythical Kauravas of the Mahabaharata.

Pair 3 is correctly matched. Nedunjeliyan was from pandyan dynasty and is also mentioned in the Sanagam literature of Mannimeghalai.
16) In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?
(a) Rigaveda
(b) Atharvaveda
(c) Ashthadhyayi
(d) Arthashastra

Correct Answer : (b) Atharvaveda

The term kshetra-patni, meaning mistress of the field has originated from Atharvaveda. While the term kshetra-pati has originated from Rigaveda that means lord of the field.

UPSC Prelims Ancient History & Art and Culture - 2025

1) The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was
(a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
(c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

Correct Answer : (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

Araghatta, an irrigation device was a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes.
2) Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Gunabhara’?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman

Correct Answer : (a) Mahendravarman I

Mahendravarman 1, the Pallava ruler (600-630 A.D.) assumed the titles such as Mattavilasa, Gunabhra, Satyasandha, Chettakari, Chitrakaraputi, Vichitrachitta. The Manadagapattu inscription describes him as Vichitrachitta.

He was the author of Matavilassa Prahasana. The music inscription at Kudumianmalai is ascribed to him.
3) Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta

Correct Answer : (b) Chandragupta II

Fa-hein, a Buddhist scholar, visited India during Chandragupta II. He gave a detailed analysis of India in his work- Record of Buddhist Kingdoms. He praised the Gupta Administration and called Hinayana, Buddhism one of the major religions of India.
4) Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
(a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c) Rajendra I (Chola)
(d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

Correct Answer : (c) Rajendra I (Chola)

Rajendra I of the Chola kingdom led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya.
5) With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs:
Territorial region River flowing in the region
(I) Asmaka Godavari
(II) Kamboja Vipas
(III) Avanti Mahanadi
(IV) Kosala Sarayu
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

Correct Answer : (b) Only two

Pair I is correctly matched. River Godavari flows through the Asmaka region. Its capital was Podana.

Pair II is incorrect. The river Vitasta, called as Jhelum in the modern state flows through Kamboja. Kamboja is located in present day Pakistan. The Vipas river or the Beas river flows through present day Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

Pair III is incorrect. Avanti is located in the Malwa region. Mahanadi river does not flow through this region.

Pair IV is correct. Sarayu river flows through the region of Kosala.
6) Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and ‘Yukta’ were important officers at the
(a) village-level administration
(b) district-level administration
(c) provincial administration
(d) level of the central administration

Correct Answer : (b) district-level administration

Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta were important officers at the district level administration.

Pradeshika was overall in-charge of the district. Rajuka was heading the district administration and Yukta was a junior officer in the district.
7) The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in
(a) Delhi
(b) Gwalior
(c) Ujjain
(d) Lahore

Correct Answer : (d) Lahore

Vishnu Digambar Palushkar set up the first Gandharva Mahavidhalaya, a music training school in 1901 in Lahore. Later, it was shifted to Mumbai.
8) Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of ‘Gandhi Peace Prize’?

I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) II and IV only
(b) I, II and III
(c) II, III and IV
(d) I and III only

Correct Answer : (c) II, III and IV

The International Gandhi Peace Prize, started from 1995 is an initiative of Ministry of Culture to honour contribution of eminent personalities in the field of non-violence by transforming social, economic and political spheres. The award includes a citation and a prize money of Rs. 1 crore.

The jury members include the Prime Minister of India, Chief Justice of India, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and two eminent personalities.
9) The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
(a) carnelian
(b) clay
(c) bronze
(d) gold

Correct Answer : (c) bronze

The Harappan civilization’s Dancing Girl figurine is made up of Bronze using the lost wax technique.

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2024

1) Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
(a) Kavyalankara
(b) Natyashastra
(c) Madhyama-vyayoga
(d) Mahabhashya

Correct Answer :(c) Madhyama-vyayoga
2) Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :
(a) Prajnaparamita Sutra
(b) Visuddhimagga
(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
(d) Lalitavistara

Correct Answer :(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
3) With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?

1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given b
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

Correct Answer :(b) 2 and 3 only
4) Consider the following information:
  Archaeological Site State Description
1 Chandraketugarh Odisha Trading Port town
2 Inamgaon Maharashtra Chalcolithic site
3 Mangadu Kerala Megalithic site
4 Salihundam Andhra Pradesh Rock-cut cave shrines

In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4

Correct Answer :(b) 2 and 3
5) Consider the following statements:

1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(b) 2 only

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2023

1) In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
(a) Andhra
(b) Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha

Correct Answer :(a) Andhra
2) With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

1.The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2.Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3.Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Correct Answer :(b) Only two
3) With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
(a) capital cities
(b) ports
(c) centers of iron-and-steel making
(d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

Correct Answer :(b) ports
4) Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.
(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Correct Answer :(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
5) Consider the following dynasties:

1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None

Correct Answer :(d) None
6) With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work - Author
1. Devichandragupta - Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya - Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha - Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita - Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Correct Answer :(b) Only two
7) "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Shaivism
(d) Vaishnavism

Correct Answer :(b) Jainism
8) Consider the following pairs:
Site - Well known for
Besnagar - Shaivite cave shrine
Bhaja - Buddhist cave shrine
Sittanawasal - Jain cave shrine.

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None

Correct Answer :(b) Only two

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2022

1) With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer :(B) 2 and 4 only
2) With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:

Historical person Known as

1. Aryadeva __ Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga— Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni Vaishnava scholar

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) None of the pairs
(b) Only one pair
(c) Only two pairs
(d) All three pairs

Correct Answer :(C) Only two pairs
3) According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?

1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(D) 1, 2 and 3
4) Consider the following pairs:

Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts — Location in the State of

1. Dhauli — Odisha
2. Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi — Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs

Correct Answer :(B) Only two pairs
5) Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
(c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

Correct Answer :(B) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
6) The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

Correct Answer :(A) The best means of salvation was devotion.

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2021

1) With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
(a) Dance forms of Northwest India
(b) Musical instruments
(c) Pre-historic cave paint
(d) Tribal languages

Correct Answer :(D) Tribal languages
2) With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
(a) Jain monks
(b) Playwrights
(c) Temple architects
(d) Philosophers

Correct Answer :(B) Playwrights
3) Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river. (b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.
(c) Pandu-lena Cave shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.
(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.

Correct Answer :(A) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
4) Consider the following statements:

1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(B) 2 only
5) With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:

1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer :(C) 1 and 4
6) Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
(a) Dholavira
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Rakhigarhi
(d) Ropar

Correct Answer :(A) Dholavira
7) From the declines of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?

1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 5 and 6

Correct Answer :(B) 1, 3, 4 and 6
8) Consider the following pairs:

(Historical Place) (Well-known for)

1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandra-Ketugarh : Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(D) 2 and 3
9) In reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 Only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 Only

Correct Answer :(B) 2 only

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2020

1) With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

1.Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
2.Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
3.Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(C) 3 only
2) With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

1.Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the State
2.Banian — Indian agent of the East India Company
3.Mirasidar — Designated revenue payer to the State

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(B) 2 and 3 only
3) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1.Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
2.Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3.The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(B) 2 and 3 only
4) Consider the following events in the history of India:

1.Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2.Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
3.Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I
4.Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
(a) 2-1-4-3
(b) 3-1-4-2
(c) 2-4-1-3
(d) 3-4-1-2

Correct Answer :(C) 2-4-1-3
5) Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
(a) An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
(b) A diary -to be maintained for* daily accounts
(c) A bill of exchange
(d) An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates

Correct Answer :(C) A bill of exchange
6) With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
(a) measurement of land
(b) coins of different monetary value
(c) classification of urban land
(d)religious rituals

Correct Answer :(A) measurement of land
7) Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
(a) Ashoka
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Harshavardhana
(d) Krishnadeva Raya

Correct Answer :(A) Ashoka
8) With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Famous Place Present State

1.Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh
2.Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra
3.Girinagar - Gujarat
4.Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only

Correct Answer :(A) 1 and 3 only
9) With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kaduraand Chaulwere well known as

Ports handling foreign trade
Capitals of powerful kingdoms
Places of exquisite stone art and architecture
Important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer :(A) 1 and 2 only
10) With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:

(a) Parivrajaka-Renunciantand Wanderer
(b) Shramana-Priest with a high status
(c) Upasaka-Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(B) 1 and 3 only

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2019

1) Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
(a) Chanhudaro
(b) Kot Diji
(c) Sohgaura
(d) Desalpur

Correct Answer :(c) Sohgaura
2) In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
(a) Kanganahalli
(b) Sanchi
(c) Shahbazagrhi
(d) Sohgaura

Correct Answer :(A) Kanganahalli
3) Consider the following:

1.Deification of the Buddha
2.Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3.Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(D) 1, 2 and 3
4) Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of
(a) Chalukya
(b) Chandela
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Vijayanagara

Correct Answer :(D) Vijayanagara

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2018

1) Consider the following pairs:

Tradition : State

1. Chapchar Kut Festival — Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
3. Thang-Ta Dance — Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(B) 1 and 2
2) With reference to culture history of India,consider the following statements:

1.Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
2.Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
3.Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
4.Annamacharya kirtnas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venketshwara.

Which of the statement is given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer :(B) 2 and 4 only
3) With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

1.White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
2.Red Sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(D) Neither 1 nor 2
4) With reference to the Indian History, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
(a) Avalokiteshvara
(b) Lokesvara
(c) Maitreya
(d) Padmapani

Correct Answer :(C) Maitreya
5) The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
(a) Bundi school
(b) Jaipur school
(c) Kangra school
(d) Kishangarh school

Correct Answer :(D) Kishangarh school
6) With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Shaivism

Correct Answer :(B) Jainism

UPSC Prelims Ancient History and Art & Culture - 2017

1) With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2.Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3.Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(C) 1 and 3 only
2) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1.Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2.Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(B) 2 only
3) Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
(a) Kakinada
(b) Motupalli
(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d) Nelluru

Correct Answer :(B) Motupalliy
4) The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at:
(a) Ajanta
(b) Badami
(c) Bagh
(d) Ellora

Correct Answer :(A) Ajanta
5) Consider the following pairs:

Traditions : Communities

1.Chaliha Sahib Festival : Sindhis
2.Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra : Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari : Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer :(A) 1 only
6) Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

1.Arasavalli
2.Amarakantak
3.Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer :(A) 1 only
7) With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

1.It is a song and dance performance.
2.Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3.It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only

Correct Answer :(B) 1 and 3 only