Posted in Prelims PYQ Previous year UPSC questions – Ancient India and Culture – 2 November 14, 2023 Leave a comment 1. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims] (a) Odia (b) Konkani (c) Bhojpuri (d) Assamese 2. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: Term: Description Eripatti: Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above correctly matched? [2016 Prelims] (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3 3. Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims] (a)Kings employing women bodyguards (b)Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters (c)Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals (d)A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death 4. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following parts: [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims] Literary work Author Devichandragupta : Bilhana Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? Only one Only two Only three All four 5. Consider the following pairs: Traditions: Communities Chaliha Sahib Festival – Sindhis Nanda Raj JaatYatra – Gonds Wari-Warkari – Santhals Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims] (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) None of the above 6. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: It is a song and dance performance. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims] (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 only 7. Consider the following pairs: Tradition — State ChapcharKut Festival — Mizoram KhongjomParba ballad — Manipur Thang-Ta Dance — Sikkim Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims] (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3 8. With reference to culture history of India,consider the following statements: Most of the TyagarajaKritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna. Tyagaraja created several new ragas. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries. Annamacharyakirtnas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venketshwara. Which of the statement is given above are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims] (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2, 3 and 4 9. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims] (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people. (b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire. (c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages. (d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer. 10. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims] (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 11. Consider the following events in the history of India: Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims] (a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3 (b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2 (c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3 (d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2 12. With reference to the history of India, the terms ‘kulyavapa’ and ‘dronavapa’ denote [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims] (a) measurement of land (b) coins of different monetary value (c) classification of urban land (d) religious rituals 13. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place Present State Bhilsa – Madhya Pradesh Dwarasamudra – Maharashtra Girinagar – Gujarat Sthanesvara – Uttar Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims] (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 2 and 4 only 14. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were known as [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims] (a) ports handling foreign trade (b) capitals of powerful kingdoms (c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture (d) important of Buddhist pilgrimage centers 15. 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? The Guptas of Magadha The Paramaras of Malwa The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar The Maukharis of Kanauj The Yadavas of Devagiri The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the code given below. [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims] (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 5 and 6 only 16. With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims] (a) Dance forms of Northwest India (b) Musical instruments (c) Pre-historic cave paintings (d) Tribal languages 17. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims] (a) Jain monks (b) Playwrights (c) Temple architects (d) Philosophers 18. Which one of the following statement about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2022] (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture. (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets. (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic. (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational. 19. A community of people called Manganiyars is well- known for their [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2014] (a) Martial arts in North-East India (b) Musical tradition in North-West India (c) Classical vocal music in South India (d) Pietradura tradition in Central India 20. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2012] (a)1 and 2 only (b)2 and 3 only (c)1, 2 and 3 (d) None of the above 21. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? Dances occasionally speaking dialogues are found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2013] (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c)Both 1 and 2 (d)Neither 1 nor 2 22. 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? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2013] (a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck (b) Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters (C)Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story (d)A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism 23. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2006] (a) Shramana (b) Parivrajaka (c) Agrahaarika (d) Maagadha 24. ‘Mrichchhakatika’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2003] (a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan (b) the victory of Chandragupta II over the ShakaKshatrapas of Western India (c) the military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta (d) the love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa 25. Consider the following statements: The Islamic calendar is twelve days shorter than the Gregorian calendar The Islamic calendar began in AD 632 The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2004] (a) 1 only (b)1 and 2 only (c)1 and 3 only (d)3 only Loading … Related