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UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Ancient History and Art & Culture

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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