Join us on WhatsApp
We are adding new Notes, Chapterwise MCQs, Quizzes, Previous Years Questions everyday
UPSC Previous Year Questions on Ancient History
Collection of Ancient History Previous Year Questions of Previous UPSC Prelims Examinations with detailed explanation.
Chapterwise MCQs
UPSC Prelims PYQs
Free Test Series
Short Notes
CivilsCracker Explains
1. The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by: (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Greeks
(b) Romans
(c) Chinese
(d) Arabs
Correct Answer – (d) Arabs
- The Arabs were the first to use the word ‘Hindu’ to refer to the people of India.
- The name of India is derived from the word Sindhu which is the name of the Indus River, mentioned in the Rig-Veda.Â
- Arabs and Iranians first called the people of this land as Hindu.
2. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak: (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Sanskrit
(b) Prakrit
(c) Pali
(d) Sauraseni
Correct Answer – (b) Prakrit
- In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras speak Prakrit language.
- Elite class used Sanskrit as the language of communication.
3. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas? (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Lopamudra
(b) Gargi
(c) Leelavati
(d) Savitri
Correct Answer – (a) LopamudraÂ
- Lopamudra was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas.
- She was also known as Kaushitaki.
- Other Brahmavadinis during the vedic period were:
- Â Vishvavara
- Sikta
- Navavari
- Ghosha
- Maitreyi
4. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is ? (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Chakravarti
(b) Dharmadeva
(c) Dharmakirti
(d) Priyadarsi
Correct Answer – (d) Priyadarsi
- The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is Priyadarshi or Devanampriya.
- Maski inscription for the first time provided the name of Ashoka with titles like Devanampriya and Priyadarshi and made it clear that Devanampriya Priyadarshi whose inscriptions were found at multiple places was Ashoka.
5. The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted: (UPSC – 1995)
(a) A fine variety of Indian Muslim
(b) Ivory
(c) Damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
(d) Pepper
Correct Answer – (d) Pepper
- Yavanas were Indo-Greeks.Â
- They liked pepper, that is why pepper was known as Yavanapriya.
- Menander who reigned from 165 BC –130 BC was the most successful Indo-Greek king.
6. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by: (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Mahayana Buddhism
(b) Hinayana Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) The Lokayata school
Correct Answer – (c) Jainism
- Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism.
- They were:
- Satya
- Ahimsa
- AsateyaÂ
- Aparigraha
- Brahmacharya
7. Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with: (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Eight hands
(b) Six hands
(c) Four hands
(d) Two hands
Correct Answer – (c) Four handsÂ
- Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period depict the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic dancer with four hands.
- It is one of the finest examples of Chola sculpture.
8. According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of which among the following ? (UPSC – 1995)
(a) Jnana
(b) Bhakti
(c) Yoga
(d) Karma
Correct Answer – (d) Karma
- There are six schools of Hindu Philosophy. They are:
- Nyaya
- Sankhya
- Yoga
- Vaisheshika
- Purva Mimamsa also know as only Mimansa
- Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta Philosophy)
- They deal with the ‘Karma’, Rebirth and other philosophical matters.
- Mimansa means investigation or enquiry.Â
- The Mimansa system of philosophy stresses on the doctrine of ‘Karma’. It says that liberation is only possible by means of performing good ‘Karma’.
- Hence it is also known as ‘Karma Mimamsa’.
9. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the sequential order of the cycle of four ‘Yugas’ is which among the following ? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Dwapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
(b) Krita, Dwapara, Treta and Kali
(c) Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali
(d) Treta, Dwapara, Kali and Krita
Correct Answer – (c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
- A complete Yuga starts with the Satya Yuga (also known as Krita) followed by Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga and ends with Kali Yuga.
10. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi ? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Jagannath temple, Puri
(b) Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu
(c) Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho
(d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat
Correct Answer – (a) Jagannath temple, Puri
- The Devadasi system was a social and religious practice in India.Â
- In this system, Young girls were dedicated to a Hindu deity and were expected to serve the temple for the rest of her life.Â
- This system was once prevalent in Orissa.
11. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is : (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Sindhu
(b) Sutudri
(c) Sarasvati
(d) Ganga
Correct Answer – (a) Sindhu
- The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is the Sindhu, which is now known as the Indus River.Â
- Indus and its six tributaries were called Sapta Sindhu.
- Other Rig-vedic rivers were:
- Satudri → Also known as SutlejÂ
- Vipasa → Also known as BeasÂ
- Asikni → Also known as ChenabÂ
- Parusni → Also known as RaviÂ
- Vitasta → Also known as JhelumÂ
- Saraswati
12. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature ? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Therigatha
(b) Acarangasutra
(c) Sutrakritanga
(d) Brihat Kalpasutra
Correct Answer – (a) TherigathaÂ
- Therigatha is a Buddhist literature.
- It is a collection of short poems of early enlightened women in the Pali language.
- Others are Jain literature.
13. Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? (UPSC – 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
Select the answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1 and 2
Correct Answer – (b) 2, 3 and 4
- Teaching which were common to both Buddhism and Jainism:
- Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
- Denial of efficacy of rituals
- Non-injury to animal life
- Emphasized on non-violence and living a simple life
- Opposed to the caste system
- Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment was preached by only Buddhism.Â
- Jainism preached extreme penance.
14. In the context of ancient Indian society which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Kula
(b) Vamsa
(c) Kosa
(d) Gotra
Correct Answer – (c) KosaÂ
- Kosa was used for treasury and the rest of the three terms were related to family.
15. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Saumilla
(b) Sudraka
(c) Shaunaka
(d) Susrutha
Correct Answer – (d) Susrutha
- Sushruta was an ancient Indian surgeon who lived during the Gupta period.
- He is the author of ‘Sushruta Samhita’, a comprehensive textbook on medicine and surgery.Â
- He is known as the “Father of Plastic Surgery” .
- Famous nine gems, or Navratna, in the court of Chandragupta II were:
- Amarasimha → A Sanskrit lexicographer and poetÂ
- Dhanvantri → A renowned physicianÂ
- Harisena → A poet and writer who composed the Allahabad pillar inscriptionÂ
- Kalidasa → A renowned poet and playwrightÂ
- Kshapanaka → An astrologerÂ
- Sanku → An architectÂ
- Varahamihira → An astronomer who wrote several famous books such as Brihat Samhita, Panchasiddhantika, and Brihat Jataka.
- Vararuchi → A grammarian and Sanskrit scholarÂ
- Vetalbhatta → A magician
16. Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium ? (UPSC – 1996)
(a) Maurya sculptures
(b) Mathura sculptures
(c) Bharhut sculptures
(d) Gandhara sculptures
Correct Answer – (c) Bharhut sculptures
- Bharhut is a village located in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh which is known for its famous relics from a Buddhist stupa.
- The Bharhut stupa may have been established by the Maurya King Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- SculpturesTh at Bharhut stupa contain numerous birth stories of the Buddha’s previous lives or Jataka tales.
- They invariably used green schist as the medium.
17. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC – 1996)
A. Vishakhadatta → Drama
B. Varahamihira → Astronomy
C. Charaka → Medicine
D. Brahmagupta → Mathematics
Select the correctly matched pair using the codes given below :
(a) All of the above
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1 and 2
Correct Answer – (a) All of the above
- Vishakhadatta → Drama (Wrote Mudra Rakshasa )
- Varahamihira → Astronomy (Wrote Brihat Samhita, Panchasiddhantika, and Brihat Jataka )
- Charaka → Medicine ( Wrote Charaka Samhita )
- Brahmagupta → Mathematics ( Introduced zero as a number )
18. Consider the following pairs:
A. Gupta → Deogarh
B. Chandella → Khajuraho
C. Chalukya → Panamalai
D. Pallava → Badami
Select the correctly matched pair using the codes given below :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1 and 2
Correct Answer – (d) 1 and 2
- Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh is an example of Gupta style architecture.
- Khajuraho Temples were built by Chandella rulers.
- Badami, also known as Vatapi in Bijapur district of Karnataka was the center of Chalukyas.Â
- Panamalai or Kanchi in Tamil Nadu was the capital of Pallavas.
19. Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is INCORRECT ? (UPSC – 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
Correct Answer – (d) These are parts of architectural structures
- Ashoka stone pillars were meant to spread his Dhamma.
- These were not part of the architectural structure.
20. Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left ? (UPSC – 1997)
(a) Brahmi
(b) Nand Nagri
(c) Sharada
(d) Kharosthi
Correct Answer – (d) Kharosthi
- Kharosthi script was deciphered by James Prinsep.
- It was written from right to left.
- It is to be noted here that some of the edicts of Ashoka from the northwest of the Asian subcontinent were written in the Kharosthi script.
More questions are coming soon. Join us on Whatsapp for latest updates: Join CivilsCracker on Whatsapp