Previous year UPSC questions – Ancient India and Culture – 01

1. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. 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? [Pre – 2023]

2. “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.”

The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India? [Pre – 2023]

3. Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? [Pre – 2022]

4. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. PranPratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: [Pre – 2022]

5. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. TrishashtilakshanaMahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts? [Pre – 2022]

6. 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? [Pre – 2022]

7. 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? [Pre – 2021]

8. Which one of the following statements is correct? [Pre – 2021]

9. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:

1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Which of the statements given above are correct? [Pre – 2021]

10. 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 Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [Pre – 2020]

11. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’? [Pre – 2020]

12. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? [Pre – 2019]

13. With reference to the Indian History, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world? [Pre – 2018]

14. The well-known painting “BaniThani” belongs to the [Pre – 2018]

15. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

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.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: [Pre – 2017]

16. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka? [Pre – 2016]

17. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty? [Pre – 2016]

18. Kalamkari painting refers to [Pre – 2015]

19. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? [Pre – 2014]

20. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to [Pre – 2014]

21. The Chinese traveler 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?

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. [Pre – 2013]

22. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:

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? [Pre – 2013]

23. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of [Pre – 2012]

24. The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the: [Pre – 2000]

25. Consider the following statements:

1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga
2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne.
3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras.

Which of these statements is/are correct? [Pre – 2003]