Ancient India — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 2)

Q1. 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? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 1 optionsANone of the pairsBOnly one pairCOnly two pairsDAll three pairs
Q2. 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? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 2 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q3. 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? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 3 optionsAOnly one pairBOnly two pairsCOnly three pairsDAll four pairs
Q4. 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? UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 4 optionsADholaviraBKalibanganCRakhigarhiDRopar
Q5. From the decline 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 code given below. UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 5 optionsA1, 2 and 5B1, 3, 4 and 6C2, 3 and 4D5 and 6
Q6. Consider the following pairs :
( Historical place ) — ( Well-known for )
1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandraketugarh : Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 6 optionsA1 onlyB1 and 2C3 onlyD2 and 3
Q7. With 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 code given below. UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 7 optionsA1 and 2B2 onlyC1 and 3D3 only
Q8. 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 ? UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 8 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q9. 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 ? UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 9 optionsA2 – 1 – 4 – 3B3 – 1 – 4 – 2C2 – 4 – 1 – 3D3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Q10. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period ? UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 10 optionsAAn advisory issued by the king to his subordinatesBA diary to be maintained for daily accountsCA bill of exchangeDAn order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
Q11. With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 11 optionsAmeasurement of landBcoins of different monetary valueCclassification of urban landDreligious rituals
Q12. 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.” UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 12 optionsAAshokaBSamudraguptaCHarshavardhanaDKrishnadeva Raya
Q13. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs :
1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana — Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ? UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 13 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB1 and 3 onlyC2 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q14. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as UPSC Prelims 2020

Question 14 optionsAports handling foreign tradeBcapitals of powerful kingdomsCplaces of exquisite stone art and architectureDimportant Buddhist pilgrimage centres
Q15. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? UPSC Prelims 2019

Question 15 optionsAChanhudaroBKot DijiCSohgauraDDesalpur
Q16. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? UPSC Prelims 2019

Question 16 optionsAKanganahalliBSanchiCShahbazgarhiDSohgaura
Q17. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct? UPSC Prelims 2019

Question 17 optionsAIt was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.BIt was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.CThe forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.DThe eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.

0 of 17 answered

Ancient India — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 2)

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