UPSC Prelims PYQs – Gupta and Post- Gupta Age (Ancient History)

1. Consider the following dynasties:

1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]

2. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

3. 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]

4. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

5. 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]

6. With reference to the history of India, the terms ‘kulyavapa’ and ‘dronavapa’ denote

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

7. 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]

8. 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]

9. The Chinese traveller 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 code given below:

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2013 Prelims]

10. India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]