Ancient History of India UPSC Mains

Ancient History of India UPSC Mains. We covered all the Ancient History of India UPSC Mains in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.

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Ancient History of India UPSC Mains for Students

Which of the following statements are correct about the Impact of Central Asian contacts on India?

1. Sakas and Kushans introduced turban, tunics, trousers, and heavy long coats.
2. Central Asian contact led to the introduction of the satrap system of government in which the empire was divided into numerous satrapies.
3. It also led to the introduction of better cavalry and horsemen started using iron stirrups which facilitated their movements.
4. The curtain was borrowed from the Greeks and it came to be known as ‘yavanika’.
5. Indians learned the art of making horoscopes from the Greeks.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 4 and 5 only

b) 2, 3 and 4 only

c) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Show Answer

Consider the following scripts/languages: ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Kharosthi
2. Brahmi
3. Greek
4. Aramaic

How many of the above scripts/languages are used in Ashokan Inscriptions?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) Only three

d) All four

Show Answer

Consider the following statements about the political history of Ancient India:

1. Agnimitra, the hero of Kalidasa’s drama ‘Malvikagnimitra’ belonged to the Satvahana dynasty.
2. The Bhagavata religion saw a revival during the Shunga dynasty.
3. The Shunga dynasty was succeeded by the Kanva dynasty.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

With reference to the Mauryan Empire, which of the following statements is correct? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

a) Megasthenes’s book ‘Indica’ provides details of the Mauryan administration, particularly the city of Pataliputra.

b) Vishakhadatta wrote Mudrarakshasa under the patronage of later Mauryan rulers.

c) Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa describe the role played by Ashoka in the spread of Buddhism in Central Asia and Java.

d) Divyadana, which is a Brahmanical text, ascribed the Mauryan emperors the status of Shudras.

Show Answer

With reference to the coinage system in Medieval India, consider the following statements:

1. The coins of the Delhi Sultanate had the name, title, and image of the issuing monarch.
2. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq introduced a token currency, whose intrinsic value was much higher than its face value.
3. The Mughals issued a copper coin called ‘mohr’, which was commonly used in commercial transactions.
4. Aurangzeb issued ‘llahi’ gold coins in accordance with Shariat and Dar-ul-Islam.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Consider the following statements about coinage system in ancient India: ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. The year of issue and the image of the king were specified on Indo-Greek coins.
2. The coins issued by Kushana ruler Kanishka employed only Greek characters.
3. The Satvahana kings mostly issued silver coins with inscriptions on them in Prakrit language.
4. The collapse in long-distance trade with the Roman Empire led to a debasement of the coins produced by later Gupta emperors.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Show Answer

Consider the following statements:

1. No state in India has English or Sanskrit as its official language.
2. Sanskrit was the first language to be declared as classical language of India.
3. At present, all the classical languages are listed under eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

With reference to various awards conferred by Indian Government, consider the following statements: ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. The Bharat Ratna Award can be conferred to both Indian citizens and foreigners.
2. The Padma Awards have been announced every year since its inception.
3. The Jnanpith award is the highest literary award in India and can only be conferred upon an Indian citizen.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

Consider the following statements regarding various inscriptions in Indian history:

1. Banskhera inscription contains Harshavardhana’s signature and exhibits his calligraphic skills.
2. Uttaramerur inscription majorly concerns with information on Chera, Chola and Pandya struggle in the south.
3. Nashik inscription, written by Gautami Balashri, ascertains her husband’s victory over the Shaka king Nahapana.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding Negama coins? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

(a) Negama coins were created by merchants of Taxila for local trade.

(b) These coins were square in shape and made of copper.

(c) Absence of Negama coins from 300 BCE to 200 BCE in the Indian subcontinent suggest declining power and authority of merchant guilds.

(d) They were mostly circulated in the Gandhara region.

Show Answer

The terms ‘Suvarnarupa’, ‘Tamrarupa’, ‘Sisarupa’ mentioned in the Arthashastra treatise are best related to which one of the following?

(a) Name of ports

(b) Taxes levied by the Mauryas

(c) Punch-marked coins

(d) State officials

Show Answer

With reference to scientific advancement in Indian history, consider the following statements: ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. ‘Shanku yantra’ was a surgical instrument used in the treatment of cataract and other eye surgery.
2. ‘Bhojshala’ was built by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty to increase the availability of food during famines.
3. ‘Yantraraja’ was an Indian astronomical device used to measure the position of stars and planets.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Which of the following statements with respect to Rabindranath Tagore is not correct?

(a) Visva-Bharati University was founded by Government of India immediately after independence to pay homage to Rabindranath Tagore and his ideas.

(b) Tagore believed in open-air education and was against teaching done within four walls of school buildings.

(c) Poush mela and Basant Utsav are the important cultural events celebrated at Santiniketan.

(d) Gandhiji’s views on education was based on “Nai Talim” and Tagore’s view was based on “Spiritual Humanism”.

Show Answer

Richa is planning to visit all the UNESCO World heritage sites located in the Agra district. She would be visiting which of the following monuments? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Buland Darwaza
2. Tomb of Akbar
3. Jami Masjid
4. Tomb of Salim Chishti
5. Agra Fort

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Show Answer

With reference to the ancient texts, consider the following statements:

1. Vikramankadevacharita is an eulogy written by Bilhana that praises the virtues of King Vikramaditya VI of Western Chalukya dynasty.
2. Mulamadhyamaka-karika is a Buddhist text written by Kamandaka which explains the doctrine of Sunya-vada.
3. Kathasaritsagara is a Sanskrit text written by Somdeva which provides historical chronicle of the eastern part of India, particularly the Gupta kings.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Show Answer

Which of the following texts are directly or indirectly related with the development of Sanskrit grammar? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Nirukta
2. Ratnavali
3. Mahabhasya
4. Ashtadhyayi

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

The famous poem ‘White Man’s Burden’ was written by which one among these?

(a) Sarojini Naidu

(b) George Orwell

(c) Rudyard Kipling

(d) Annie Besant

Show Answer

Which of the following statements is not correct? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

(a) Dasha-Kumara-Charita is a book written by Dandin describing the adventures of ten young men.

(b) Rasa-Ratnakara is a book written by Nagarjuna related to metallurgy and alchemy.

(c) Maha-Vibhasa is a book written by Vasumitra and contains doctrinal material related to Mahayana sect of Buddhism.

(d) Kalpa-Sutra is a book written by Bhadrabahu containing the biographies of the Bodhisattvas.

Show Answer

Consider the following statements about the sources used to reconstruct the history of sufi traditions:

1. Fawa’id-al-Fu’ad is a collection of conversations of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, compiled by Amir Hasan Sijzi Dehlavi.
2. Maktubat is a biographical account of saints whereas the Tazkiras is collections of letters written by sufi saints.

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

Show Answer

Patanjali set out his definition of yoga in the Yoga Sutras as having ‘Ashtanga’, the eight limbs of Yoga. With this reference, how many of the following are considered as a part of Ashtanga?

1. Niyama
2. Samma kammanta
3. Dharana
4. Dhyana

Select the correct answer using code given below:

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Show Answer

The Four Noble Truths are the most important tenets of Buddhism. How many of the following principles represent one of those four noble truths? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Aparigraha
2. Dukkha samudaya
3. Brahmacharya
4. Dukkha-nirodha-marga

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) Only one principle

(b) Only two principles

(c) Only three principles

(d) All four principles

Show Answer

Consider the following statements:

1. The sacred books of the Madhyamaka school of Buddhism are known as Siddhanta or Agama.
2. The 2nd Buddhist Council was presided over by Mahakassappa and it was at this council that the Buddha’s teachings were divided into three categories or ‘pitaka’.
3. Syadavada is one of the important doctrines of Jainism, which states the theory of conditioned predication.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Which of the following statements are correct regarding Bhakti movement? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Bhakti Movement in North India had the influence of the spread of Islam in India.
2. The rise of the Bhakti Movement is seen as a reaction against feudal oppression.
3. Lingayats strongly opposed child marriage and widow remarriage.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1 only

Show Answer

Which of the following statements are correct regarding Sufi movement?

1. The chanting of a name or sacred formula in the Sufi tradition is known as Sama.
2. The Sufi masters held their assemblies in their khanqahs.
3. Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and Baba Farid belonged to the Suhrawardi silsila.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

Verses ascribed to poet-saint Kabir have been compiled in how many of the following traditions? ( Ancient History of India UPSC Mains MCQ )

1. Adi Granth Sahib in Punjab
2. Bijak in Varanasi
3. Kabir Granthavali in Rajasthan

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) None of the traditions

(b) Only one tradition

(c) Only two traditions

(d) All three traditions

Show Answer

Consider the following statements about the philosophies of Bhakti saints of Maharashtra:

1. Sant Dnyaneshwar followers are known as Varkaris.
2. Sant Eknath used Marathi in his religious discourses and composed songs in the language of the common people.

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

Show Answer

Consider the following important Sufi terms:

1. Khanqah: Musical gatherings
2. Zikr: Recitation of God’s name
3. Sama: Place where Sufis lived
4. Murid: Followers

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

Show Answer

Which one of the statements given below is not correct about the Bhakti saints?

(a) Shankardeva was a famous 15th-16th century Tamil polymath.

(b) Namadeva is considered as one of the five revered gurus in the Dadupanth tradition within Hinduism.

(c) Kabir strongly denounced idol worship and laid great stress on the equality of man before God.

(d) Guru Nanak aimed at bridging distinctions between the Hindus and the Muslims in order to create an atmosphere of peace.

Show Answer

Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya belonged to which one of the following Sufi Silsila/order?

(a) Naqshbandi

(b) Chisti

(c) Qadiriyah

(d) Suhrawardi

Show Answer

With reference to the Lingayats, consider the following statements:

1. They are the followers of 12th-century saint-philosopher Basavanna.
2. Basavanna propagated ritualistic worship and supremacy of the Vedas.
3. The community has a strong presence in the state of Karnataka.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Show Answer

With reference to Sufism, consider the following statements:

1. In Sufism, Bashara obeyed Islamic laws.
2. The Chisti saints believed in living a simple, austere life.
3. Suhrawardis believed that a Sufi should possess the three attributes of property, knowledge and mystical enlightenment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

With reference to Alvars and Nayanars, consider the following statements:

1. Nambiyandar Nambi, converted the hymns of Alvars into volumes known as the ‘Tirumurai’.
2. The hymns of the Nayanars were converted into a consolidated volume known as ‘Divya Prabandha’.
3. Alvars worshipped Lord Vishnu and his avatars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

Consider the following statements:

1. The doctrine of Advaita was propounded by Adi Shankara.
2. Adi Shankara wrote Brahmasutrabhasya.
3. Madhavacharya propounded Vishishtadvaita (modified monism).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

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