Previous year UPSC questions – Ancient India and Culture – 3

1. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak: [1995]

2. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period? [1996]

3. Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left? [1997]

4. The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called: [1997]

5. Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period? [1999]

6. Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the PadinenKilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition.

Reason (R): They were included under the post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper. [2000]

7. Assertion (A): The origin of feudal system in ancient India can be traced to military campaigns.

Reason (R): There was considerable expansion of the feudal system during the Gupta period. [2000]

8. Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly.

Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism. [2001]

9. Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon? [2001]

10. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on: [2002]

11. Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada River by: [2003]

12. Consider the following statements:

1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.
2. The Cholas sent an expedition against Sailendra empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas.

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

13. There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings? [2010]