This is the third and final part of 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. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two? [2013]
Q2. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: [2013]
1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q3. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism? [2013]
Q4. Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization? [2013]
1. They possessed great palaces and temples.
2. They worshipped both male and female deities.
3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
Q5. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? [2013]
1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Q6. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: [2013]
1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Q7. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2013]
1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Q8. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called 'Tribhanga' has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose? [2013]
Q9. Consider the following historical places: [2016]
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
Q10. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: [2014]
| Famous work of Sculpture | Site |
|---|---|
| 1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures | Ajanta |
| 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock | Mount Abu |
| 3. "Arjuna's Penance"/"Descent of Ganga" sculpted on the surface of huge boulders | Mamallapuram |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Q11. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: [2014]
| Famous shrine | Location |
|---|---|
| 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex | Spiti Valley |
| 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako | Zanskar Valley |
| 3. Alchi temple complex | Ladakh |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Q12. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? [2014]
Q13. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from [2014]
Q14. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? [2014]
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q15. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? [2015]
Q16. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty? [2016]
Q17. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2016]
Term: Description
1) Eripatti: Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2) Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3) Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples
Q18. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: [2017]
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
Q19. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at [2017]
Q20. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? [2017]
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
Q21. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2017]
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.
Q22. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? [2017]
Q23. With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to [2018]
Q24. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world? [2018]
Q25. Consider the following pairs – Craft vs Heritage of: [2018]
| Craft | Heritage of |
|---|---|
| 1. Puthukkuli shawls | Tamil Nadu |
| 2. Sujni embroidery | Maharashtra |
| 3. Uppada Jamdani saris | Karnataka |
Q26. Consider the following pairs of Tradition vs State: [2018-1]
| Tradition | State |
|---|---|
| 1. Chapchar Kut festival | Mizoram |
| 2. Khongjom Parba ballad | Manipur |
| 3. Thang-Ta dance | Sikkim |
Q27. Which one of the following is not a Harappan Site? [2019]
Q28. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? [2019]
Q29. Consider the following: [2019]
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?
Q30. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct? [2019]
Q31. Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of [2019]
Q32. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'? [2020]
Q33. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: [2020]
1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II
Q34. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: [2020]
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 Mahayana Buddhism.
Q35. Consider the following events in the history of India: [2020]
1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman - I
3. Establishment of Chola Parantaka - I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
Q36. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period? [2020]
Q37. With reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denote [2020]
Q38. 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." [2020]
Q39. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2020]
| No. | Famous Place | Present State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhilsa | Madhya Pradesh |
| 2 | Dwarasamudra | Maharashtra |
| 3 | Girinagar | Gujarat |
| 4 | Sthaneshwara | Uttar Pradesh |
Q40. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as [2020]
Q41. With reference to cultural history of India consider the following pairs: [2020]
1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana - Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism
Q42. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhutti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshwara were famous [2021]
Q43. Which one of the following statements is correct? [2021]
Q44. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: [2021]
- It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
- It is the only circular temple built in India.
- It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
- Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Q45. 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? [2021]
Q46. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following were holding power in Northern India? [2021]
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabutis of Thanesar
4. The Yadavas of Devagiri
5. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Q47. Consider the following pairs: [2021]
| Place | Well-known for |
|---|---|
| 1. Burzahom | Rock-cut shrines |
| 2. Chandraketugarh | Terracotta art |
| 3. Ganeshwar | Copper artefacts |
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 the 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 the 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 code given below:
Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts
| # | Site | Location in the State of |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhauli | Odisha |
| 2 | Erragudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | Jaugada | Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | Kalsi | Karnataka |
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
Q52. With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: [2022]
| Historical Person | Known as |
|---|---|
| 1. Aryadeva | Jaina scholar |
| 2. Dignaga | Buddhist scholar |
| 3. Nathamuni | Vaishnava scholar |
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Q53. According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? [2022]
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?
Q54. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as [2023]
Q55. Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal as mentioned in Sangam poems? [2023]
Q56. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located? [2023]
Q57. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: [2023]
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?
Q58. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: [2023]
| Literary work | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. Devichandragupta | Bilhana |
| 2. Hammira-Mahakavya | Nayachandra Suri |
| 3. Milinda-Panha | Agarjuna |
| 4. Nitivakyamrita | Somadeva Suri |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Q59. "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." [2023]
The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
Q60. Consider the following pairs: [2023]
| Site | Well Known for |
|---|---|
| 1. Besnagar | Shaivite cave shrine |
| 2. Bhaja | Buddhist cave shrine |
| 3. Sittanavasal | Jain cave shrine |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
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