Previous year UPSC questions – Ancient India and Culture – 2

1. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

2. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term: Description

1. Eripatti: Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above correctly matched? [2016 Prelims]

3. Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]

4. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following parts: [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]

Literary work             Author

1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

5. Consider the following pairs:

Traditions: Communities

1. Chaliha Sahib Festival – Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj JaatYatra – Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari – Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]

6. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. 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]

7. Consider the following pairs:

Tradition                        —  State

1. ChapcharKut Festival — Mizoram
2. KhongjomParba ballad — Manipur
3. Thang-Ta Dance — Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]

8. With reference to culture history of India,consider the following statements:

1. Most of the TyagarajaKritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
4. Annamacharyakirtnas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venketshwara.

Which of the statement is given above are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]

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]

10. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

11. 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 Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

12. With reference to the history of India, the terms ‘kulyavapa’ and ‘dronavapa’ denote [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

13. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Famous Place                 Present State

1. Bhilsa –         Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra –         Maharashtra
3. Girinagar –         Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara –         Uttar Pradesh

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

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]

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?

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 Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

16. With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

17. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

18. Which one of the following statement about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2022]

19. A community of people called Manganiyars is well- known for their [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2014]

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?

1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2012]

21. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?

1. Dances occasionally speaking dialogues are found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
2. 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]

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]

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]

24. ‘Mrichchhakatika’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2003]

25. Consider the following statements:

1. The Islamic calendar is twelve days shorter than the Gregorian calendar
2. The Islamic calendar began in AD 632
3. The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Prelims 2004]