UPSC Prelims History PYQs: Ancient History, Part I

This section covers UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) related to Ancient Indian History. It includes authentic questions along with answers to help build conceptual clarity and factual understanding.

Q1. The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by: [1995]

(a) the Greeks (b) the Romans (c) the Chinese (d) the Arabs

Answer: (d) the Arabs

Q2. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas? [1995]

(a) Lopamudra (b) Gargi (c) Leelavati (d) Savitri

Answer: (a) Lopamudra

Q3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer (using codes given below the lists) [1995]

List-I (Eras)	List-II (Reckoned Era)
A. Vikrama Era	1. 3102 B.C.
B. Saka Era	3. 78 A.D.
C. Gupta Era	5. 248 A.D.
D. Kali Era	2. 320 A.D.

(a) A-2, B-4, C-5, D-1 (b) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4 (c) A-4, B-5, C-2, D-3 (d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Answer: (d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Q4. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras speak: [1995]

(a) Sanskrit (b) Prakrit (c) Pali (d) Priyadarsi

Answer: (b) Prakrit

Q5. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions [1995]

(a) Chakravarti (b) Dharmadeva (c) Dharmakirti (d) Sauraseni

Answer: (d) Sauraseni

Q6. The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted: [1995]

(a) a fine variety of Indian Muslim (b) ivory (c) damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance (d) pepper

Answer: (d) pepper

Q7. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by: [1995]

(a) Mahayana Buddhism (b) Hinayana Buddhism (c) Jainism (d) The Lokayata school

Answer: (c) Jainism

Q8. According to Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of: [1995]

(a) jnana (b) bhakti (c) yoga (d) karma

Answer: (d) karma

Q9. Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with: [1995]

(a) eight hands (b) six hands (c) four hands (d) two hands

Answer: (c) four hands

Q10. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four acons (yugas) is: [1996]

(a) Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali (b) Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali (c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali (d) Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita

Answer: (c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali

Q11. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi? [1996]

(a) Jagannath temple, Puri (b) Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu (c) Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho (d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat

Answer: (a) Jagannath temple, Puri

Q12. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is: [1996]

(a) Sindhu (b) Sutudri (c) Sarasvati (d) Ganga

Answer: (a) Sindhu

Q13. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature? [1996]

(a) Therigatha (b) Acarangasutra (c) Sutrakritanga (d) Brihatkalpasutra

Answer: (a) Therigatha

Q14. Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? [1996]

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment

2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas

3. Denial of efficacy of rituals

4. Non-injury to animal life

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 3, and 4 (d) 1 and 2

Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4

Q15. In the context of ancient Indian society which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three? [1996]

(a) Kula (b) Vamsa (c) Kosa (d) Gotra

Answer: (c) Kosa

Q16. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period? [1996]

(a) Saumilla (b) Sudraka (c) Shaunaka (d) Susrutha

Answer: (d) Susrutha

Q17. Which one of the following sculptures was invariably used green schist as the medium? [1996]

(a) Maurya sculptures (b) Mathura sculptures (c) Bharhut sculptures (d) Gandhara sculptures

Answer: (c) Bharhut sculptures

Q18. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: [1996]

List-I

A. Vishakhadatta

B. Varahamihira

C. Charaka

D. Brahmagupta

List-II

1. Medicine

2. Drama

3. Astronomy

4. Mathematics

Codes:

(a) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2 (b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4 (c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4 (d) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

Answer: (c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Q19. Which one of the following texts of ancient India allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband? [1996]

(a) Kamasutra (b) Manava Dharma Shastra (c) Sukra Nitisara (d) Arthashastra

Answer: (d) Arthashastra

Q20. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes below:

List-I

A. Gupta

B. Chandella

C. Chalukya

D. Pallava

List-II

1. Badami

2. Panamalai

3. Khajuraho

4. Deogarh

Codes:

(a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2 (b) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1 (c) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1 (d) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

Answer: (a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Q21. Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is incorrect? [1997]

(a) These are highly polished (b) These are monolithic (c) The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape (d) These are parts of architectural structures

Answer: (d) These are parts of architectural structures

Q22. Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left? [1997]

(a) Brahmi (b) Nandnagari (c) Sharada (d) Kharosthi

Answer: (d) Kharosthi

Q23. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the: [1997]

(a) Chhandogyopanishad (b) Mundakopanishad (c) Kathopanishad (d) Kenopanishad

Answer: (c) Kathopanishad

Q24. Milindapanho is in the form of a dialogue between the king Menander and Buddhist monk: [1997]

(a) Nagasena (b) Nagarjuna (c) Nagabhatta (d) Kumarilabhatta

Answer: (a) Nagasena

Q25. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka? [1997]

(a) Kalsi (b) Rummindei (c) Special Kalinga Edict (d) Maski

Answer: (d) Maski

Q26. The following map shows four of the sixteen Mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India [1997]
The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are:

(a) Matsya, Cedi, Kosala, Anga (b) Surasena, Avanti, Vatsa, Magadha (c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga (d) Surasena, Cedi, Kosala, Magadha

Answer: (c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga

Q27. In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara was also known as: [1997]

(a) Vajrapani (b) Manjusri (c) Padmapani (d) Maitreya

Answer: (c) Padmapani

Q28. The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called: [1997]

(a) Rupaka (b) Karshapana (c) Dinara (d) Pana

Answer: (a) Rupaka

Q29. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists [1997]

List-I (Author)

A. Varahamihira
B. Vishakhadatta
C. Sudraka
D. Bilhana

List-II (Text)

Prabandha Chintamani
Mrichchha-Katikam
Brihat-Samhita
Devi-Chandraguptam
Vikramankadeva-Charita

(a) A-3, B-4, C-5, D-2 (b) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-5 (c) A-5, B-3, C-4, D-1 (d) A-1, B-3, C-5, D-2

Answer: (b) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-5

Q30. Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India? [1997]

(a) Chaturvedimangalam (b) Parishad (c) Ashtadikgaja (d) Manigrama

Answer: (d) Manigrama

Q31. The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be: [1997]

(a) 601 (b) 300 (c) 330 (d) 407

Answer: (a) 601

Q32. Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because: [1998]

(a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at that time (b) They had renounced the policy of war and violence (c) Caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them (d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society

Answer: (c) Caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them

Q33. The Ashoka major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts: [1998]

(a) I and X (b) I and XI (c) II and XIII (d) II and XIV

Answer: (c) II and XIII

Q34. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? [1998]

1. Mrichchakatikam – Shudraka

2. Buddhacharita – Vasuvandhu

3. Mudrarakshasha – Vishakadatta

4. Harshacharita – Banabhatta

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4

Q35. What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India? [1998]

1. Gold coins

2. Punch marked silver coins

3. Iron plough

4. Urban culture

(a) 3, 4, 1, 2 (b) 3, 4, 2, 1 (c) 4, 3, 1, 2 (d) 4, 3, 2, 1

Answer: (d) 4, 3, 2, 1

Q36. Assertion (A): According to Ashoka’s edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion.
Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion. [1998]

(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A (c) A is true but R is false (d) A is false but R is true

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A

Q37. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? [1998]

1. Lothal: Ancient dockyard
2. Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir: Lion capital of Ashoka
4. Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1 and 2

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4

Q38. Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food-grains to be utilised during the crises in the country? [1998]

(a) Sohgaura Copper-plate (b) Rummindei Pillar-edict of Ashoka (c) Prayaga-prasasti (d) Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra

Answer: (a) Sohgaura Copper-plate

Q39. The concept of Eight fold path forms the theme of: [1998]

(a) Dipavamsa (b) Divyavadana (c) Mahaparinibban (d) DharmaChakara Pravarthana Sutta

Answer: (d) DharmaChakara Pravarthana Sutta

Q40. The given map relates to: [1998]

(a) Kanishka at the time of his death. (b) Samudragupta after the close of his South Indian campaign. (c) Ashoka towards close of his reign. (d) Empire of Thaneswar on the eve of Harsha’s accession.

Answer: (c) Ashoka towards close of his reign.

Q41. From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the: [1999]

(a) African trade (b) West-European trade (c) South-East Asian trade (d) Middle-Eastern trade

Answer: (c) South-East Asian trade

Q42. The following persons came to India at one time or another: [1999]

1. Fa-Hien

2. I-Tsing

3. Megasthanese

4. Hieun-Tsang

The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:

(a) 3, 1, 2, 4 (b) 3, 1, 4, 2 (c) 1, 3, 2, 4 (d) 1, 3, 4, 2

Answer: (b) 3, 1, 4, 2

Q43. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C.? [1999]

(a) Gandhar (b) Kamboj (c) Kashi (d) Magadh

Answer: (d) Magadh

Q44. The Indo-Laws Kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century B.C. was: [1999]

(a) Bactria (b) Scythia (c) Zedrasia (d) Aria

Answer: (a) Bactria

Q45. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes: [1999]

(a) an ethnic group (b) a nomadic people (c) a speech group (d) a superior race

Answer: (c) a speech group

Q46. Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period? [1999]

(a) Tamralipti (b) Broach (c) Kalyan (d) Cambray

Answer: (a) Tamralipti

Q47. Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition. [1998]

Reason (R): They were included under the post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper. [2000]

(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A (c) A is true but R is false (d) A is false but R is true

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A

UPSC Prelims History PYQs: Ancient History, Part I

List-I

List-II

List-I

List-II

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