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Home , Chanakya, Jainism in Delhi, Jainism in Haryana, Mudrarakshasa, Pillars of Ashoka, Pushyabhuti dynasty

ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

www.laex.in 9141 21 29 29 / 9121 44 29 29 (Bangalore) Civilsprep.com 9052 29 29 29 / 9052 49 29 29 (Hyderabad) ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

www.laex.in 9141 21 29 29 / 9121 44 29 29 (Bangalore) Civilsprep.com 9052 29 29 29 / 9052 49 29 29 (Hyderabad) ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Division of Ancient History and Sources 01 - 02

2. Indus Valley Civilization 04 - 05

3. Vedic Age 05 - 08

4. Religious Movements 08 - 15

5. Mahajanpadas 15 - 18

6. Rise of 18 - 19

7. Mauryan Era 19 - 22

8. Foreigner Ruling Group of Post Mauryan Period 22 - 24

9. Native Dynasty of Post Mauryan Period 26 - 26

10. Sangam Era 26 - 27

11. Gupta Dynasty 27 – 30

12. Pushyabhuti Dynasty 30 - 32

www.laex.in https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Ancient History Previous Year Questions 3) Mudrarakshasha-Vishakhadatt 4) Harshacharita-Banabhatta 1. Division of Ancient History & Sources Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1. What is the correct chronological a) 1,2, 3 and 4 order in which the following b) 1,3 and 4 appeared in ? c) 1 and 4 1) Gold coins d) 2 and 3 2) Punch-marked silver coins 3) Iron plough 4. Which one of the following pairs 4) Urban culture is correctly matched Select the correct answer using the a) Harappan Civilization-Painted Grey codes given below Ware a) 3, 4, 1, 2 b) The Kushans- School of Art b) 3, 4, 2, 1 c) The Mughals-Ajanta Paintings c) 4, 3, 1, 2 d) The Marathas-Pahari School of d) 4, 3, 2, 1 Painting

2. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which 1. Division of Ancient History & of the statements given below are Sources correct? 1) Different kinds of specialized surgical Key & Explanation instruments were in common use by 1. Key: D 1st century AD. Explanation: 2) Transplant of internal organs in the  Urban Culture first appeared in India human body had begun by the during mature Harappa phase.(2300- beginning of 3rd century AD. 1800 BC) 3) The concept of sine of an angle was  First evidence of Iron Plough comes known in 5th century AD. from later . (1000-600 BC) 4) The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals  Punch-marked coins are a type of was known in 7th century AD. early coinage of India, dating to Select the correct answer using the between about the 6th and 2nd codes given below: centuries BC. a) 1 and 2 only  In 100 AD, Kushan emperor Vima b) 3 and 4 only Kadaphises was the first one to c) 1, 3 and 4 only introduce a gold coin to the Indians. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 This was a gold dinar that had the image of Lord . So, the first gold 3. Which of the following pairs are coin was introduced to India almost correctly matched? about 2,000 years ago. 1) Mrichchakatika-Shudraka Educational Objective: Chronology of 2) Buddhacharita- important events in India

www.laex.in Page No. 1 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 2. Key: C 3. Key: B Explanation: Explanation:  Buddhacharita was written by  Different kinds of specialized surgical Asvaghosha instruments were in common use by  Other options are correctly matched. 1st century AD as inventions in this Educational Objective: Ancient Indian domain goes back to as early as 6th century BCE. Sushruta is a pioneer in Literature developing many surgical instruments. 4. Key: B  Sushruta, also spelled Suśruta, Explanation: (flourished c. 6th century BCE), ancient Indian surgeon known for his  The Harappan pottery is uniformly sturdy, well-baked and bright or dark pioneering operations and techniques in color. The plain pottery usually of and for his red clay with or without a fine red slip influential Sushruta-, is more common than the painted the main source of knowledge ware. The painted pottery is mostly of about surgery in ancient India. red and black colors.  For Sushruta, the concept of shalya  Painted Grey Ware is associated with (surgical science) was all- Vedic Period  Gandhara art, style of Buddhist visual encompassing. Examples of some of art that developed in what is now his groundbreaking operations include northwestern and rhinoplasty (the repairing or eastern Afghanistan between the 1st remaking of a nose), removal of a century BCE and the 7th century CE. dead fetus, and lithotomy (surgical The style, of Greco-Roman origin, incision into hollow organs such as seems to have flourished largely the urinary bladder to remove stones, during the Kushan dynasty and was contemporaneous with an important or calculi). He also developed many but dissimilar school of Kushan art at unique and practical techniques to Mathura (, India). dissect the human body and study its  The Ajanta Caves are 30 structure. So, option B is wrong. (approximately) rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the  The concept of sine of an angle was th 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in known in 5 century AD. Āryabhaṭa's Aurangabad table was the first sine table ever district of Maharashtra state of India. constructed in the history of The Ajanta Caves are generally mathematics. agreed to have been made in two  (born c. 598 CE, died distinct periods, Caves of the first c. 668 CE) was an Indian (Satavahana) period Caves of the mathematician and astronomer. He is later, or Vākāṭaka, period the author of works on mathematics  Pahari painting (literally meaning a and astronomy: the painting from the mountainous , a regions: pahar means a mountain theoretical treatise, and the in Hindi) is an umbrella term used for a Khaṇḍakhādyaka , a more practical form of Indian painting, done mostly in text. Brahmagupta's formula provides miniature forms, originating from the area A of a cyclic Himalayan hill kingdoms of North India, quadrilateral (i.e., a simple during 17th-19th century, otably quadrilateral that is inscribed in a Basohli, Mankot, Nurpur, Chamba, ). Kangra, Guler, Mandi, and Garhwal. Educational Objective: Periods and their Educational Objective: Scientific unique characteristics progress of ancient India www.laex.in Page No. 2 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

www.laex.in Page No. 3 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 4. Which one of the following 2. Indus Valley Civilization animals was not represented on the seal and terracotta art of the 1. Which one of the following is not Harappan culture? a Harappan site? a) Cow a) Chanhudaro b) Elephant b) Kot Diji c) Rhinoceros c) Sohgaura d) Tiger d) Desalpur 2. Indus Valley Civilization 2. Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the Key & Explanation following statements: 1) It was predominantly a secular 1. Key: C civilization and the religious element, Explanation: though present, did not dominate the Sohgaura -A village on the banks of scene. the Rapti River, about 20 km south-east 2) During this period, cotton was used of Gorakhpur, in the Gorakhpur for manufacturing textiles in India. District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Which of the statements given above A copper plate inscription has been found is/are correct? in this place.The Sohgaura copper plate a) 1 only inscription is an Indian copper plate b) 2 only inscription written in in c) Both 1 and 2 the . The earliest known d) Neither 1 nor 2 copper-plate known as the Sohgaura copper-plate is a Maurya record that 3. Match List-I with List-II and mentions famine relief efforts. It is one of select the correct answer: the very few pre- Brahmi List-I List-II inscriptions in India. Eastern most (Ancient site) (Archaeological finding) Harappan site was Alamgirpur and A. Lothal 1. Ploughed field Sohgaura is further East. B Kalibangan 2. Dockyard Other three are Harrapan sites- C. Dholavira 3. Terracotta replica Chanhu-daro is an archaeological of a plough site belonging to the Indus Valley D. Banawali 4. An inscription Civilization. The site is located 130 comprising ten kilometers (81 mi) south of Mohenjo-daro, large sized signs of in Sindh, Pakistan. the Harappan The ancient site at Kot Diji was the script forerunner of the Indus Civilization. The occupation of this site is attested already at Codes: 3300 BCE. The remains consist of two parts; A B C D the citadel area on high ground (about a) 1 2 3 4 12 m), and outer area. Located about b) 2 1 4 3 24 kilometers south of Khairpur in the c) 1 2 4 3 province of Sindh, Pakistan, it is on the d) 2 1 3 4 east bank of the Indus opposite Mohenjo- daro. www.laex.in Page No. 4 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS Desalpur archaeological site or 4. Key: A 'Gunthli' is a portion of the Indus Valley Explanation: Civilization which is situated at Nakhtrana Varying type of animals were present on Taluka, Kutch District in Gujarat. Harappan seals like sheep, goat, humped Educational Objective: Know about bull, buffalo, elephant, tiger, lion, the Harappan sites and their features. gaur or Indian bison, the rhinoceros, a short-horned humpless bull, etc. There 2. Key: C are mythical and composite creatures Explanation: too; e.g. human faced goat or part ram or goat, part bull and part elephant, three-  Secular is where there is the headed chimeras, semi-human semi-bovine lack of authority of religious leaders creatures. So, cow was not represented on over political decisions. Religious the seal and terracotta art of the Harappan elements were present in Harappa culture. Civilization like Pasupathi seal, terracotta figurine of male and female, Educational Objective: Know about great bath of Mohenjo-Daro. However, Harappan Civilization’s features. Harappa was predominantly a secular civilization, as these elements, though present, did not dominate the political 3. Vedic Age decisions as reflect from evidences.  Farmers in Indus Valley Civilization 1. With reference to the difference used to weave cotton textiles. Some of between the culture of Rigvedic cotton textiles were unearthed in 1929 and Indus Valley people, in Mohenjo-Daro site which is now in which of the following statements Pakistan. is/are correct? Educational Objective: Know about 1) Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail Harappan Civilization’s features. and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did 3. Key: B not leave any evidence of using them. Explanation: 2) Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and Lothal (Manchester of Indus Valley copper whereas Indus Valley people Civilisation) in Gujarat – dockyard, knew only copper and iron. double burial, risk husk, fire altars, painted 3) Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the jar, modern day chess, terracotta figure of horse whereas there is no evidence of ship, instruments for measuring 45, 90 and Indus Valley people having been 180-degree angles. aware of this animal. Kalibangan in Rajasthan- Ploughed field, Earthquake, Fire altars, A charging bull, Select the correct answer using the no drainage system code given below: Dholavira in Gujarat – giant water a) 1 only reservoir, unique water harnessing system, b) 2 and 3 only stadium, dams and embankments, c) 1 and 3 only inscription comprising 10 large sized signs d) 1, 2 and 3 like an advertisement board. Banawali in – toy plough, 2. The religion of early Vedic Aryans barley grains, oval-shaped settlement, the was primarily of only with radial streets. a) Educational Objective: Know about b) image worship and Harappan Civilization’s features. c) worship of and Yajnas d) worship of nature and Bhakti www.laex.in Page No. 5 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS one that did not engage in any 3. The "" and "rita" depict a warfare, evidences like city walls are central idea of ancient Vedic not effectively fortified to withstand civilization of India. In this attack in comparison with from context, consider the following the early historic era, paucity of well statements: designed weapons, no depiction of warfare or conquest on objects that 1) Dharma was a conception of have survived but there is not obligations and of the discharge of conclusive evidence to support this one's duties to oneself and to others. belief, and some archaeologists 2) Rita was the fundamental moral law consider it a pervasive myth. governing the functioning of the  Gold, copper, universe and all it contained. silver, bronze metals were known Which of the statements given above to Indus Valley Civilization but not iron. is/are correct?  Surkotada site contains horse remains a) 1 only dated to ca. 2000 BCE, which is b) 2 only considered a significant observation c) Both 1 and 2 with respect to Indus Valley d) Neither 1 nor 2 Civilisation. Sándor Bökönyi (1997), on examining the bone samples found 4. What does Baudhayan theorem at Surkotada, opined that at least six (Baudhayan Sulva ) relate samples probably belonged to true to? horse. During 1974, Archaeological Survey of India undertook excavation a) Lengths of sides of a right angled in this site and J.P.Joshi and A.K.Sharma reported findings of horse b) Caculation of the value of pi bones at all levels (cicra 2100-1700 c) Logarithmic calculations BCE). d) Normal distribution curve Educational Objective: Understand difference between Harappan and Rigvedic 5. Which one of the following four Phase. contains charms and spells? a) Rig-veda 2. Key: C b) Yajur-veda Explanation: c) Atharva-veda Religion of Early Vedic - d) Sama-veda  The mode of worship was simple. The 6. The term 'Aryan' denotes Vedic worship meant primarily only a) an ethnic group oblation and prayer. A great value was attached to the hymns. The b) a nomadic people Aryans chanted hymns to appease the c) a speech group various divinities. or sacrifice d) a supporter race was another mode to appease the gods and goddesses. They offered milk, 3. Vedic Age ghee, grains, wine, fruits etc. as into fire. Key & Explanation  Animals like horses, buffaloes, rams, bulls, and even cows were also 1. Key: A sometimes sacrificed. The process of Explanation: sacrifice was simple. Every Aryan family took part in the offering of  It is widely believed that the prayers and performing of fire- Harappan civilization was a peaceful sacrifice. There was no priestly class www.laex.in Page No. 6 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS for performing these religious sites. 4. Key: A No shrine or temple was built. Image Explanation: worship was unknown in those days. The Shulba Sutras are texts  The theory of reincarnation or belonging to the Śrauta ritual and was not completely containing related to fire- formed.  The doctrine of transmigration of altar construction. soul was not properly developed. Various Sulbasutras- Educational Objective: Understanding  Apastamba religious beliefs of Vedic Phase.  Baudhayana  3. Key: C  Maitrayaniya (somewhat similar to Explanation: Manava text)  The eternal and inherent nature of  (in manuscript) reality, regarded in as a  Vadhula (in manuscript) cosmic law underlying right behaviour  Hiranyakeshin (similar to Apastamba and social order. Dharma was a Shulba Sutras) conception of obligations and of The Baudhayana Sulbasutra the discharge of one's duties to gives only a special case of the oneself and to others. Pythagorus Theorem explicitly:-  Rita, ṛta (“truth” or The rope which is stretched across the “order”), in Indian religion and philosophy, the cosmic order diagonal of a produces an area mentioned in the Vedas, the double the size of the original square. ancient sacred scriptures of India. The Katyayana Sulbasutra As Hinduism developed from the however, gives a more general ancient Vedic religion, the concept version:- of rita led to the doctrines of The rope which is stretched along the dharma (duty) length of the diagonal of a and (accumulated effects of good and bad actions). Rita is the produces an area which the vertical physical order of the universe, the and horizontal sides make together. order of the sacrifice, and Educational Objective: Developments in the moral law of the world. Because the field of Science in Ancient India of rita, the sun and moon pursue their daily journeys across the sky, and the 5. Key: C seasons proceed in regular movement. Explanation: Vedic religion features the belief The basic Vedic texts are the Samhita that rita was guarded by , “Collections” of the four Vedas: the god-sovereign, who was  “Knowledge of the Hymns assisted by Mitra, the god of Rig-Veda honour, and that the proper of Praise”, for recitation. performance of sacrifices to the gods  Sama-Veda “Knowledge of the was necessary to guarantee its Melodies”, for chanting. continuance. Violation (anrita) of the  Yajur-Veda “Knowledge of the established order by incorrect or Sacrificial formulas”, for liturgy. improper behaviour, even if  Atharva-Veda “Knowledge of the unintentional, constituted sin and required careful expiation. Magic formulas”, contains charms and spells and named after a kind Educational Objective: To understand of group of priests. important components of Vedic religion Educational Objective: Learn about Vedic Literature www.laex.in Page No. 7 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 4. With reference to ancient , 6. Key: C which one of the following Explanation: statements is correct? The word Aryan comes from the ancient a) Jainism was spread in languages of and India. It was the under the leadership of Sthulabahu term that ancient Indo-Iranian- b) The Jainas who remained under the speaking people likely used to identify leadership of were called themselves in the period around 2000 Shvetambaras after the Council held B.C.E. This ancient group's language was at one branch of the Indo-European language c) Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the family. Literally, the word Aryan may Kalinga king Kharavela in the first mean a noble one. century BC Educational Objective: Learn about d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Vedic Literature Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhists 4. Religious Movements 5. Consider the following statements: 1) Vardhaman 's mother was 1. Which of the following statements the daughter of Lichchhavi chief is/are applicable Jain doctrine? Chetaka. 1) The surest way of annihilating Karma 2) 's mother was a is to practice penance princess from the Kosalan dynasty. 2) Every object, even the smallest 3) , the twenty-third particle has a soul , belonged to Benaras. 3) Karma is the bane of the soul and Which of these statements is/are must be ended correct? Select the correct answer using the a) Only 1 codes given below: b) Only 2 a) 1 only c) 2 and 3 b) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 6. A: The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence () prevented 2. The holds that agriculturalists from embracing the world is created and Jainism. maintained by R: Cultivation involved killing of a) Universal Law. insects and pests. b) Universal Truth a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the c) Universal Faith correct explanation of A d) Universal Soul b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not 3. is a core theory the correct explanation of A and philosophy of which one of c) If A is true but R is false the following? d) If A is false but R is true a) b) Jainism 7. With reference to the religious c) Sikhism , consider the d) following statements:

www.laex.in Page No. 8 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 1) Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to sects of Jainism. witness his purity and chastity 2) Sarvastivadin held that the despite the temptations of constituents of phenomena were not c) Buddha's reminder to his followers wholly momentary, but existed forever that they all arise from the Earth and in a latent form. finally dissolve into the Earth, and Which of the statements given above thus this life is transitory is/are correct? d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are a) l only correct in this context b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 11. In ancient Indian Buddhist d) Neither 1 nor 2 monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was 8. Consider the following: the 1) Deification of the Buddha a) occasion to elect the Sanghaparinayaka 2) Treading the path of and two speakers, one on Dhamma and 3) Image worship and rituals the other on Which of the above is/are the feature/ b) confession by monks of their offence features of Buddhism? committed during their stay in the a) 1 only monasteries during the rainy season b) 1 and 2 only c) ceremony of initiation of new person c) 2 and 3 only into theBuddhist in which the d) 1, 2 and 3 head is shaved and yellow robes are offered 9. Which of the following Kingdoms d) gathering of Buddhist monks on the were associated with the life of next day to thefullmoon day of the Buddha? when they take up a fixed 1) Avanti abode for the next four months of 2) Gandhara rainy season 3) 4) Magadha 12. The concept of Eight-Fold Path Select the correct answer using the forms the theme of code given below a) Dipavamsa a) 1, 2 and 3 b) Divyavadana b) 2 and 4 c) Mahaparinirvan Sutta c) 3 and 4 only d) Dharma Pravartana Sutta d) 1, 3 and 4 13. Many of the Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism 10. A Lord Buddha's image is rather than Hinduism because sometimes shown with the hand a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at gesture called 'Bhumisparsha that time '. It symbolizes b) they had renounced the policy of war a) Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch and violence over Mara and to prevent Mara from c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract disturbing his meditation them d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society www.laex.in Page No. 9 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS Select the correct answer using the 14. Who among the following codes given below: presided over the Buddhist a) 1 only Council held during the reign of b) 2 and 3 only Kanishka at ? c) 1 and 3 only a) Parsva d) 1, 2 and 3 b) c) Sudraka d) 4. Religious Movements Key & Explanation 15. Consider the following statements: 1) The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien 1. Key: D attended the fourth Great Buddhist Explanation: Council held by Kanishka  The annihilation () of karma 2) The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met comes about through penance. and found him to be  Souls are not only the property of antagonistic to Buddhism animal and plant life, but also of Which of the statements given above entities such as stones, rocks, running is/are correct? water, and many other natural objects a) 1 only not looked upon as living by other sects. b) 2 only  The Jaina holds that every living and c) Both 1 and 2 non-living being is gifted with d) Neither 1 nor 2 souls.They are obstructed by karma, just as the natural light of the sun is 16. Which of the following pairs are hindered by clouds. By removing the correctly matched? , a soul can remove bondage 1) Lothal: Ancient dockyard and regain its natural perfections. 2) : First Sermon of Buddha Educational Objective: Religious 3) : Reform Movements 4) Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning 2. Key: A Select the correct answer using the Explanation: codes given below: According to the Jain doctrine, the universe Codes: and its constituents (soul, matter, space, a) 1, 2, 3, and 4 time, and motion) have always existed. All b) 3 and 4 the constituents and actions are governed c) 1, 2 and 4 by universal natural laws. d) 1 and 2 Educational Objective: Religious Reform Movements- Jainism 17. With reference to the history of 3. Key: B ancient India, which of the Explanation: following was/were common to  According to Jainism, no single, both ? specific statement can describe the 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance nature of existence and the absolute and enjoyment truth. This knowledge (), 2. Indifference to the authority of the it adds, is comprehended only by Vedas the Arihants. Other beings and their statements about absolute truth are 3 Denial of efficacy of rituals www.laex.in Page No. 10 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS incomplete, and at best a partial truth. dynasty of Kalinga. Most of the All knowledge claims, according to the information about him is known from anekāntavāda doctrine must be in Udayagiri qualified in many ways, including hills near Bhubaneshwar. The being affirmed and Hathigumpha inscription begins with denied. Anekāntavāda is a a variation of the salute fundamental doctrine of Jainism. to arihants and . This is  Syadvada: All judgments are similar to the Jain Pancha- conditional, holding good only in Namaskara , in which three certain conditions, circumstances, or more entities are invoked in addition senses. Syadavada literally means the to the arihants and siddhas.[28] The ‘method of examining different inscription mentions that Kharavela probabilities’. brought back an idol of Agrajina to  The basic difference between them is Kalinga. Many historians identify that Anekantavada is the knowledge Agrajina with Rishabha, the first of all differing but opposite attributes Jain tirthankara whereas Syadavada is a process of the  In the initial stage of Jainism, the relative description of a particular Jainas did not worshipped images just attribute of an object or an event. like Buddhists but in later phase image worship became a prominent Educational Objective: Religious feature of both the religions. Reform Movements- Jainism Educational Objective: Religious 4. Key: C Reform Movements- Jainism Explanation: Sects/ School of Jainism- 5. Key: C  Jain order has been divided into two Explanation: major sects: and  , Trishala , Priyakarini, Svetambara. The division occurred or Trishala Mata (Mother Trishala) mainly due to famine in Magadha was the mother of Mahavira, the which compelled a group led by 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, and wife Bhadrabahu to move South India. of the Jain monarch, Siddhartha of  During the 12 years famine, the group Kundagrama, of present-day . in South India stick to the strict Trishala was born into royalty. Jain practices while the group in Magadha text, Uttarapurāṇa details the life of adopted a more lax attitude and all and started wearing white clothes. other Salakapurusa. It is mentioned  After the end of famine, when the in the text that Southern group came back to King Chetaka of had ten Magadha, the changed practices led to sons and seven daughters. His the division of Jainism into two sects. eldest daughter Priyakarini (Trishala)  Bhadrabahu was an exponent of was married to Siddartha. Digambar sect.  Gautam Buddha mother's name was  was an exponent of Mahamaya who was the princess of Svetambar sect. the Kosalan dynasty .  The Jainas who remained under the  Parsvnath was born in 23rd leadership of Sthulabhadra were Tirthankara of Jain religion called Shvetambaras after the Council in / Benares. His father’s held at Pataliputra. name was Ashvaseen and mother’s  Kharavela was a king of Kalinga in name was Vamdevi. present-day Odisha. He ruled somewhere around first or second Educational Objective: Religious Reform century BCE. Kharavela is the best Movements known king of the Mahameghavahana www.laex.in Page No. 11 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 6. Key: A The Buddha was simply a man who Explanation: found a way to .   Ahimsa means non- Mahayana worships the bodhisattvas injury. Jains consider nonviolence t and read the while o be the most essential duty for Hinayanists do not perform these. everyone (ahinsā paramo  Mahayana sect of Buddhism believes dharmaḥ). It is an indispensable in the heavenliness of Buddha and condition for liberation from the cycle believes in Idol Worship. of reincarnation, the ultimate goal follows the original teaching of of Jainism. The aim of ahimsa is to prevent the accumulation of such Buddha. It emphasizes individual karma. salvation through self discipline and  Jainism does not forbid agriculture meditation. as such. The opposition to Educational Objective: Religious Reform agriculture mainly comes from the Movements fact that it entails more himsa than many other trades or professions. So, 9. Key: C for agriculturists this became a Explanation: hindrance in accepting Jainism. Educational Objective: Religious Reform  Avanti was not directly related to life Movements- Jainism of Buddha, so this needs to be opted out.  We have read that Pasenadi 7. Key: B (Prasenajit), king of Kosala, was the Explanation: Buddha’s contemporary and is  Sautrantikas and Sammtiyas are frequently mentioned in texts. Kosala and Magadha were linked Buddhism sects. through matrimonial ties. Buddha  Sarvastivadins - This sect of wandered through the towns and Buddhism believes that all things villages in the kingdoms of Kosala and exist, and exist continuously, in the Magadha teaching his philosophy. past and the future as well as in the  Gandhara is not directly associated present. with the life of Buddha. It was expansion of Maurya that Educational Objective: Religious Gandhara received much Buddhist reform movements in Ancient India influence, notably during the reign of Ashoka. 8. Key: D Educational Objective: Religious Explanation: Reform Movements Major difference between Hinayana and Mahayana  Mahayana Buddhism followers think 10. Key: B that The Buddha is a God because Explanation: they think that the Buddha came What is Mudra? It is a positions of hand down to earth to help people cross the often depicted in and used in sea of life. So the Buddha can be practice to evoke a particular state of mind. worshipped as a God because he is Bhumisparsha Mudra- eternal and comes down to earth.On Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his the other hand, Hinayana Buddhists purity and chastity despite the temptations think that The Buddha was a Human of Mara instead of a God because they think Other and their meaning- www.laex.in Page No. 12 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Educational Objective: Religious Reform ritual of ascetic vetting (ordination) by Movements which a candidate, if deemed acceptable, enters the community as upasampadān (ordained) and 11. Key: B authorised to undertake ascetic life. Explantiaon:  - The Vassa is the three-month Pavarana- assembly at the end of annual retreat observed by Vassa to their offence committed practitioners. Taking place during the during their stay in the monasteries wet season, Vassa lasts for three during the rainy season. lunar months, usually from July to October.  - liberated beings,  Upostha-  Nirvana- State of Supreme Bliss The (Sanskrit: povosooko)  Sheel- Good Conduct is a Buddhist day of observance, The  Pravrajya- means "to go forth" and Buddha taught that the Uposatha day refers to when a layperson leaves is for "the cleansing of the defiled home to live the life of a Buddhist mind," resulting in inner calm and joy. renunciate among  Posadha-restoration of vows a community of  Śramaṇa- one who labours, toils, or Educational Objective: Religious Reform exerts themselves (for some higher or Movements- Buddhism religious purpose) or "seeker, one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic. 12. Key: D  Upasampadā (Pali) literally denotes Explanation: "approaching or nearing the ascetic tradition." In more common parlance it specifically refers to the rite and www.laex.in Page No. 13 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

The concept of Eight-Fold Path forms the 483 rni apa , Suttapitaka- theme of Dharma Chakra Pravartana BC cave, Ajatashatr Ananda and Sutta. Rajgir u Vinaya Pitaka by Upali The is an early Seco Divide into summary of the path of Buddhist practices Chullav Sabbaka nd Sthaviradins leading to liberation from samsara, the ana mi 383B and painful cycle of rebirth. This consists of- Vaishali Kalashoka C Mahasangikas Ashoka Thir Mogalipu Compilation of d 250 Vihar tta Tissa Abhidamapitt BC Patalip Ashoka aka utra Compilation of Kundal Fout Mahavibhash a Vasumitr h a . Vana a 98A Division into Kashmi Kanishka D Hinnayan and r Mahayana

Educational Objective: Buddhist Educational Objective: Religious Reform Councils Movements- Buddhism 15. Key: D 13. Key: D Explanation: Explanation: Greek, Kushanas and (337 – c. 422) was a Shakas entered India through North Chinese Buddhist monk and translator who Western frontier and established their traveled by foot from Ancient rule or kingdom. They needed China to Ancient India, visiting many legitimacy for their rule for people to sacred Buddhist sites in Central Asia, accept them as their king. Accepting the and Southeast religion of local area was the best way Asia between 399-412 to acquire Buddhist to achieve legitimacy. Buddhism texts. Faxian's visit provided easiest entry in to India occurred during the reign of comparison to Hinduism which II. had strict birth related caste According to the Chinese Buddhist structure. So these rulers traveller , Harsha was a embraced Buddhism in order to devout Buddhist. Xuanzang states that strengthen their dominance over Harsha banned animal slaughter for food, the local people. and built monasteries at the places visited Educational Objective: Religious by Gautama Buddha. He erected several Reform Movements- Buddhism thousand 100-feet high on the banks of the river, and built well- 14. Key: D maintained hospices for travellers and poor Explanation: people on highways across India. He organized an annual assembly of global Cou Chairma scholars, and bestowed charitable alms on Venue n and Result ncil them. Every five years, he held a great Patron assembly called . Xuanzang also First Saptapa Mahakass Compilation of www.laex.in Page No. 14 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS describes a 21-day religious festival Avoidance of extremities of penance and organized by Harsha in ; during enjoyment is propagated by Jainism to this festival, Harsha and his subordinate attain salvation while Buddhism advised kings performed daily rituals before a life- its Upasakas to follow the middle path or sized golden statue of the Buddha. Tathagata marg. Educational Objective: Foreign Ahimsa : Though both emphasise the Travellers in Ancient India principle of Ahimsa, yet Jainism is more strict in this connection. 16. Key: C Soul: Buddhists do not believe in the Explanation: existence of soul whereas Jainism believes the existence of soul in every living being.  The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a of four Asiatic Regarding Conduct: Buddhism lions standing back to back, on an emphasises the eightfold path whereas elaborate base that includes other Jainism emphasises Tri Ratna. animals. A graphic representation of Educational Objective: Religious Reform it was adopted as the official Emblem Movements of India in 1950. It was originally placed on the top of the Ashoka pillar at the important Buddhist site 5. Mahajanpadas of Sarnath by the Emperor Ashoka, in about 250 BCE.  Option 1,2,4 are correct. 1. Between which of the following Educational Objective: Important was the ancient town of sites of Ancient India Takshasila located? a) Indus and Jhelum 17. Key: B b) Jhelum and Chenab Explanation: c) Chenab and Ravi Similarities between Jainism and d) Ravi and Beas Buddhism : 2. Who among the following was not  Both deny the existence of God.  Both denied the authority of the a contemporary of the other three? Vedas and the necessity of performing a) Bimbsara sacrifices and rituals. b) Gautama Buddha  Both taught in the language of the c) Milinda common people i.e. Prakrit and not in d) Prasenjit Sanskrit which was the language of the priests. 3. Which one of the following was  Both of them were opposed to animal sacrifices. initially the most powerful city  Both of them admitted disciples from state of India in the 6th century all the castes and from both sexes. BC?  Ahimsa is the prominent principle of a) Gandhar both the religions. b) Kamboj  Both Buddhism and Jainism put c) Kashi stress on right conduct and right d) Magadha knowledge and not on religious ceremonial and ritual as the way to obtain salvation. 4. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that Dis-similarities between Buddhism played a very important role in and Jainism : www.laex.in Page No. 15 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS the country's economy, which of  By some accounts, was the following statements is/are considered to be one of the earliest (or correct? the earliest) universities in the world. Others do not consider it a 1) Every guild was registered with the university in the modern sense, in central authority of the State and the that the teachers living there may not king was the chief administrative have had official membership of authority on them. particular colleges, and there did not 2) The wages, rules of work, standards seem to have existed purpose-built and prices were fixed by the guild. lecture halls and residential quarters 3) The guild had judicial powers over its in Taxila, in contrast to the own members. later Nalanda university in eastern India. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Educational Objective: Important sites a) 1 and 2 only of Ancient India b) 3 only c) 2 and 3 only 2. Key: C d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation:  Bimbisāra (c. 558 – c. 491 BC) also 5. Mahajanpadas known as Seniya or Shrenika in the Jain histories was a King Key & Explanation of Magadha and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.  1. Key: A Buddha was born in the 6th century B.C., or possibly as early as 624 B.C., Explanation: according to some scholars. Other  Taxila meaning "City of Cut Stone" researchers believe he was born later, or "Takṣa Rock" is an important even as late as 448 B.C. And some archaeological site in Indian Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha lived from 563 B.C. to 483 subcontinent located between B.C. Buddha died around the age of rivers Indus and Jhelum in 80, possibly of an illness from eating the modern city with the same spoiled meat or other food. name in Punjab, Pakistan.  Menander I Soter was an Indo-  Ancient Taxila was situated at the Greek King of the Indo-Greek pivotal junction of the Indian Kingdom (165/155 –130 BC) who administered a large empire in the subcontinent and Central Asia. The North Western regions of the Indian origin of Taxila as a city goes back to c. Subcontinent from his capital 1000 BCE. Some ruins at Taxila date at Sagala. Menander is noted for to the time of the Achaemenid having become a patron of Buddhism. Empire in the 6th century BCE,  Raja Prasenjit or King Pasenadi of followed successively by Mauryan Kosala ruled during the 6th century Empire, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, BC. He was notable for being a prominent lay follower of Gautama and Kushan Empire periods. Buddha, building many Buddhist  Taxila was designated a UNESCO monasteries. World Heritage Site in 1980 in Educational Objective: Famous particular for the ruins of the four settlement sites which "reveal the personalities of Ancient India pattern of urban evolution on the Indian subcontinent through more than five centuries" www.laex.in Page No. 16 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

www.laex.in Page No. 17 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 3. Key: D Political factors Explanation:  Magadha was lucky to have many Magadha was the most powerful city state powerful and ambitious rulers. of India in the 6th century BC. Reasons for  They had strong standing armies. the same are-  Availability of iron enabled them to Geographical factors develop advanced weaponry.  They were also the first kings to use  Magadha was located on the upper elephants in the army. and lower parts of the Gangetic valley.  The major kings also developed a good  It was located on the mainland route administrative system. between west and east India. Educational Objective: Rise of  The area had fertile soil. It also Kingdoms in Ancient India received enough rainfall.  Magadha was encircled by rivers on three sides, the Ganga, Son and 4. Key: D Champa making the region Explanation: impregnable to enemies.  Different Names- Shreni, Puga,  Both Rajgir and Pataliputra were Nigama, Sangha, Gana, Head- located in strategic positions. Jyastha, Shresthi Economic factors  Term for mobile Guild- Sartha, Head of mobile guild- Sarthavaha  Magadha had huge copper and iron  Every guild was registered with the deposits. central authority of the State and the  Because of its location, it could easily king was the chief administrative control trade. authority on them. This reflects  Had a large population which could be subordinate position of guild with used for agriculture, mining, building respect to state. cities and in the army.  Autonomy of Guilds on internal  General prosperity of the people and matters reflects from-The wages, rules the rulers. of work, standards and prices were  The mastery over Ganga meant fixed by the guild. economic hegemony. Ganga was  The guild had judicial powers important for trade in North India. over its own members.  With the annexation of Anga by Bimbisara, river Champa was added Shrenidharma to the Magadha Empire. Champa was  Rules and regulations of guilds important in the trade with South-  Recognised by Dharmasastra East Asia, and South India.  It had force of law Cultural factors Educational Objective: Guilds in Ancient  Magadhan society had an unorthodox India character.  It had a good mix of Aryan and non- Aryan peoples. 6. Rise of Magadha  Emergence of Jainism and Buddhism led to a in terms of philosophy and thought. They 1. Which one of the following enhanced liberal traditions. dynasties was ruling over North  Society was not so much dominated by India at the time of Alexander's the and many kings of invasion? (2000) Magadha were ‘low’ in origins. a) Nanda b) Maurya c) Sunga d) Kanva www.laex.in Page No. 18 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

6. Rise of Magadha 7. Mauryan Era Key & Explanation

1. Key: A 1. In which of the following relief Explanation: sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo  In 326 BC, Alexander invaded Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned India, after crossing the river Indus along with the stone portrait of he advanced towards Taxila. Ashoka?  The Nanda dynasty ruled in a) Kanganahalli northern part of the Indian b) subcontinent during the 4th century c) Shahbazgarhi BCE, and possibly during the 5th d) Sohgaura century BCE. The chroniclers of , 2. The ancient Indian play who invaded north-western India of Visakhadatta during 327-325 BCE, characterize this has its subject on king as a militarily powerful and a) a conflict between Gods and Demons prosperous ruler. The Nanda rule, of ancient Hindu lore spanning the reigns of nine kings, b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince lasted for 155 years, after which the and a tribal woman Mauryas came to power. c) the story of power struggle between  The was a two Aryan tribes geographically extensive Iron Age d) the court intrigues at the time of historical power based in Magadha and founded by Chandragupta which Maurya 3. A: Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the dominated the Indian subcontinent Mauryan Empire. between 322 and 185 BCE. R: Kalinga controlled the land  The Shunga dynasty was a and sea routes to south India. dynasty, established in 185 BCE, a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the about 50 years after Ashoka's death, correct explanation of A when the emperor Brihadratha Maurya, the last ruler of the Maurya b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not Empire, was assassinated by his the correct explanation of A Senānī or commander-in-chief, c) If A is true but R is false Pushyamitra Shunga d) If A is false but R is true  The Kanva dynasty or Kanvayana was 4. The following persons came to India a Brahmin dynasty that replaced at one time or another: the Shunga dynasty in parts of 1) Fa-Hien eastern and central India, and ruled 2) I-Tsing from 75 BCE to 30 BCE 3) Megasthenese Educational Objective: Dynasties of 4) Hieun-Tsang Ancient India and their chronology The correct chronological sequence of their visits is: a) 3, 1, 2, 4 b) 3, 1, 4, 2 c) 1, 3, 2, 4 www.laex.in Page No. 19 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS d) 1, 3, 4, 2 7. Mauryan Era 5. Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the Key & Explanation earliest royal order to preserve food grains to be utilized during 1. Key: A the crises in the country? Explanation: a) Sohogaura Copper-plate b) Rumminidei pillar-edict of Ashoka  Kanganahalli in Gulbarga district is situated on the left bank of the river c) Prayag-Prasasti Bhima and the archaeological site is d) pillar inscription of Chandra located about 3 km from the famous Chandralamba temple at 6. The given map relates to where Ashokan inscriptions have been discovered.  One of the most important and rare sculptural slabs had a portrait of Mauryan king Ashoka. The majestic king is accompanied by his queen and they are attended by two chauri beares. To confirm that it was the portrait of Ashoka, the sculptor has carved a single line label a) Kanishka at the time of his death inscription, reading “Rayo Asoko” in Brahmi script of the Satavahana b) after the close of his period. Perhaps this is the first South Indian campaign inscribed image of Ashoka discovered c) Ashoka towards close of his reign in India. d) Empire of Thaneswar on the eve of Educational Objective: Famous Harsha's accession personalities of Ancient India

7. The Ashokan major rock edicts 2. Key: D which tell us about the Sangam Explanation: kingdom include rock edicts Mudrarakshasa written by Vishakadatta a) I and X (Translated by R S Pandit) in 6th century b) I and XI CE, is a political thriller set in an c) II and XIII interesting period in Indian history. It is d) II and XIV the time of , Chandragupta Maurya, and the Nandas. By this time, in 8. A: According to Ashoka's edicts, Kusumapura (), the last of the Nanda social harmony among the people kings has renounced the world and his was more important than kingdom taken over by Chandragupta and religious devotion. Chanakya. Malayaketu, a small vassal king, R: He spread the ideas of equity left Chandragupta’s court after his father instead of promotion of religion. was poisoned. Though he fled, Malayaketu a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the has a trump card in , the honest correct explanation of A and smart minister. The goal of Chanakya b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not at the beginning of the play is to bring the correct explanation of A Rakshasa to his camp so that c) If A is true but R is false Chandragupta would have an able minister d) If A is false but R is true by his side. www.laex.in Page No. 20 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS Educational Objective: Famous  Pillar Edict in is personalities of Ancient India known as the Rummindei Pillar Inscription .The Lumbini Pillar Edict recorded that sometime after 3. Key: A the twentieth year of his reign, Explanation: Ashoka travelled to the Buddha’s  The (ended c. 265 birthplace and personally made BCE) was fought in what is now India offerings. He then had a stone pillar between the Maurya set up and reduced the taxes of the Empire under Ashoka and the state people in that area. of Kalinga, an independent feudal  The pillar is an Ashoka kingdom located on the east coast, in , one of the Pillars of Ashoka, the present-day state of Odisha and erected by Ashoka, Emperor of north parts of Andhra Pradesh. the Maurya dynasty, who reigned in  The conquest of Kalinga was the 3rd century BCE. While it is one necessary to complete the political of the few extant pillars that carry unification of India. Since Kalinga his edicts, it is particularly notable for territory was like the land bridge containing later inscriptions between the north and the south, attributed to its conquest could result in safe the Gupta emperor Samudragupta passage for the Magadhan army for (4th century CE). Also engraved on aggression in the far south. The the stone are inscriptions by Maurya power had also Reason to the Mughal emperor , from apprehend invasion from Kalinga the 17th century. from the south. The existence of a Inscription (Prayag Prasasti) This was powerful independent state touching issued by Samudragupta and was upon the Magadhan territory was like composed by . It is written a direct threat to Mauryan in very simple and refined Sanskrit in imperialism. Champu kavya style. It lists achievements of Samudragupta. This Educational Objective: Famous Inscription is a eulogy of personalities of Ancient India Samudragupta and mentions about the conquests of Samudragupta and 4. Key: B boundaries of the . Explanation: nother term used by Harisena for him is Kaviraja, which testified him as a  Megasthenes from Greece (302-298 patron of poetic arts and a poet B.C.) himself. Samudragupta also assumed  Fa Hien from China (405-411 A.D.) the title of Vikramanka.  Hiuen Tsang from China (630-645  Mahrauli Inscription / Garuda A.D.) Pillar The Mahrauli Iron Pillar was  I-tsing (671-695 AD) : A Chinese originally placed on a hill near the traveller Beas and was brought to by a Educational Objective: Foreigners King of Delhi by a King of Delhi. This pillar credits Chandragupta with visited India during Ancient Time conquest of the Vanga Countries by his battling alone against the 5. Key: A confederacy of the enemies united Explanation: against him. It also credits him for conquest of Vakatkas in a fight that  Sohagaura Copper-plate is ran across seven mouths of Sindhu. the ancient Indian records which is This pillar was established by earliest royal order to preserve food- Chandragupta-II of Gupta grains to be utilised during the crises dynasty as Vishnupada in the in the country. honor of Lord . www.laex.in Page No. 21 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS Educational Objective: Important sites Magas of Cyrene (Maka), Antigonus of of Ancient Period Macedon (Amtikini), Alexander of Epirus (Alikasudaro). Also mentions Pandyas, 6. Key: C Cholas, etc. Explanation: Educational Objective: Ashoka’s Rock The extent of the territory controlled by Edicts and Pillar Edicts Ashoka's predecessors is not certain, but it is possible that the empire of his 8. Key: A grandfather Chandragupta extended Explanation: northern India from western coast (Arabian Major Rock Edict VII, Major Rock Edict Sea) to the eastern coast (), XII- Talks about Tolerance for all religions. covering nearly two-thirds of the Indian Educational Objective: Ashoka’s Rock subcontinent. and Ashoka Edicts and Pillar Edicts appear to have extended the empire southwards. The distribution of 8. Foreigner Ruling Group of Post Ashoka's inscriptions suggests that his Mauryan Period empire included almost the entire Indian subcontinent, except its southernmost parts. The Rock Edicts 2 1. The Indo-Greek kingdom set up in and 13 suggest that these southernmost north Afghanistan in the parts were controlled by the Cholas, the beginning of the second century Pandyas, the Keralaputras, and the BC was Satiyaputras. In the north-west, Ashoka's a) Bactria kingdom extended up to , to the b) Scythia east of the ruled c) Zedrasia by Antiochus II.[2] The capital of Ashoka's d) Aria empire was Pataliputra in the Magadha region. 2. The practice of military Educational Objective: Famous governorship was first introduced personalities of Ancient India in India by the a) Greeks 7. Key: C b) Explanation: c) Parthians The Major Rock Edicts of Indian Emperor d) Mughals Ashoka refer to 14 separate major which are significantly detailed and 3. With reference to the invaders in represent some of the earliest dated rock ancient India, which one of the inscriptions of any Indian monarch.These following is the correct edicts are preceded chronologically by the chronological order? Minor Rock Edicts. a) Greeks -Sakas - Kushans Major Rock Edict II- Care for man and b) Greeks- Kushans - Sakas animals, mentions the Pandyas, c) Sakas- Greeks- Kushans Satyapuras and Keralaputras of South d) Sakas- Kushans- Greeks India. Major Rock Edict XIII- Mentions victory 4. A: The Gandhara School of Art over Kalinga. Mentions Ashoka’s Dhamma bears the mark of Hellenistic victory over Greek Kings Antiochus of Syria influence. (Amtiyoko), Ptolemy of Egypt (Turamaye), www.laex.in Page No. 22 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS R: Hinayana form was influenced by that art. 2. Key: A a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the Explanation: correct explanation of A The practice of military governorship was b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not first introduced in India by the Greeks. the correct explanation of A  The military governors were called c) If A is true but R is false Strategos. d) If A is false but R is true Educational Objective: Unique Initiatives by Rulers 8. Foreigner Ruling Group of Post Mauryan Period 3. Key: A Explanation: Key & Explanation Foreign Dynasties- The Indo-Greek kings 1. Key: A  Indo-Greeks (Bacterian Explanation: Greeks) were the first foreign rulers of North-Western India  The Indo-Greek Kingdom or Graeco- in the Post-Maurya period. Indian Kingdom also known locally  The most famous Indo- as Yavanarajya (Kingdom Greek ruler was Menander of Yavanas), was (165 BC – 145 BC), also a Hellenistic kingdom spanning known as Milinda. modern-day Afghanistan, into the  His capital was Sialkot classical circumscriptions of  He is mentioned in the famous the Punjab of the Indian Buddhist text Milind-Panaho. subcontinent (northern Pakistan and  He was converted to Buddhism by northwestern India), during the last or Nagarjuna. two centuries BC and was ruled by  more than thirty kings, often The Indo-Greek kings introduced the conflicting with one another. regular coinage in India in large  The kingdom was founded when  The last Indo-Greek king was the Graeco- Hesatrius. Bactrian king Demetrius invaded the subcontinent early in the 2nd The Sakas: century BC. The Greeks in the Indian Subcontinent were  The Sakas, also known as Scythians, eventually divided from the Graeco- replaced the Indo-Greeks in India. Bactrians centered in Bactria (now  The most famous ruler in the border India was Rudradaman (130 AD between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan), -150 AD). He is famous not only and the Indo-Greeks in the present- for his military conquests but day north-western Indian also for his public works Subcontinent. The most famous Indo-  He repaired the famous Greek ruler was Menander (Milinda). Sudarsan lake of the He had his capital at Sakala in Mauryan period and gave the Punjab (present-day Sialkot). patronage to Sanskrit  The Indo Greeks were followed by language Sakas, Parthians and Kushana in  The Junagarh inscription in chronological order. Gujarat is attributed to Rudradaman is first ever Educational Objective: Dynasties ruled inscription written in Sanskrit over different parts of India  In about 58 BC a king of www.laex.in Page No. 23 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS , – is  The empire of Kanshika was supposed to have fought spread over a large area in effectively against the Sakas. the portion of five countries An era called Vikrama i.e. Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Samvat is reckoned from 58 Pakistan and India. B.C. His capital was Peshawar  Kanishka was a great patron The Parthians: (1st Century BC – 1st of Mahayana Buddhism. In Century AD) his reign 4th Buddhist council  Originally the Parthians (Pahlavas) was held in Kundalavana, lived in Iran Kashmir where the doctrines  They replaced the Sakas in of the Mahayana form of North-Western India, but Buddhism were finalized. controlled an area much  Kanishka patronized various smaller than the Sakas. scholars like Nagarjuna,  Famous Parthian king was Ashvagosha, Vasumitra, Gondaphernes in whose Parsava, & Charaka. reign St. Thomas is said to  Large size headless statue of have come to India from Kanishka is found at Mathura Israel for the propagation of  The last great Kushan ruler was Christianity. Vasudeva I. The Kushans (1st to 3rd Century A.D.) Educational Objective: Dynasties and chronology of their rule  The Kushans were one of the five Yeu- chi clans of Central Asia. 4. Key: C  They replaced the Parthians in North- Explanation: Western India and then  Gandhara School was based on Greco- expanded to the lower Roman norms encapsulating foreign Indus basin and the upper techniques and an alien spirit. It is and middle Gangetic basin. also known as Graeco-Buddhist School  The Kushans controlled of art. The foreign influence is evident famous silk route starting from the of Buddha in from China, passing which they bear resemblance to the through their empire on to Greek sculptures. Grey sandstone Iran & Western Asia. (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is  The dynasty was founded by used in Gandhara School of Art. The Kadphises I or Kujul Kadhphises. Gandharan Buddha image was  The Kushans were the first rulers in inspired by Hellenistic realism, India to issue gold coins on a wide influenced by Persian, Scythian, scale. and Parthian models.  The second king was  This style of art was closely Kadphises II or Vema associated with Mahayana Kadphises was the first king Buddhism and hence the main who issued the gold coins. theme of this art was Lord  The most famous Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Thus, it Kushan ruler was can be conjectured that in idea and Kanishka (78 AD – 101 conception this style was Indian and AD), also known as in execution it was foreign. One ‘Second Ashoka’. example of the Gandhara style of art  He started an era in 78 AD is the Bamiyan Buddha statues. which is now known as the Saka era and is used officially Educational Objective: Gandhara School by the of India. of Art www.laex.in Page No. 24 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

www.laex.in Page No. 25 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

9. Native Dynasty of Post Mauryan 10. Sangam Era Period

1. One consistent feature found in 1. Consider the following statements: the history of southern India was 1) The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha the growth of small regional was assassinate by his commander-in- kingdoms rather than large chief, Pushyamitra Sunga. because of 2) The last Sunga King, Devabhuti was a) The absence of minerals like iron assassinate by his minister b) Too many divisions in the social Vasudeva Kanva who Usurped the structure throne. c) The absence of vast areas of fertile 3) The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty land was deposed By Andhras. d) The scarcity of manpower Which of these statements is/are correct? 2. A: The Ahm and Puram poems of a) I and 2 the Padinen Kilukanakku group b) Only 2 formed a continuation of the C) Only 3 Sangam composition. d) 1, 2 and 3 R: They were included under the Post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper. 9. Native Dynasty of Post Mauryan a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the Period correct explanation of A b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not Key & Explanation the correct explanation of A c) If A is true but R is false 1. Key: D d) If A is false but R is true Explanation:

 The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, 10. Sangam Era was assassinated in 185 BC by his commander-in- chief, Pushyamitra Key & Explanation Sunga, who established his own Sunga dynasty. 1. Key: C  In 73 BC, Devabhuti, the last ruler of Explanation: the Sunga dynasty, was murdered by his minister Vasudeva, who usurped One consistent feature found in the history the throne and founded the Kanva of southern India was the growth of small dynasty. regional kingdoms rather than large  The period of Kanva rule came to an empires because of absence of vast areas of end in28 BC when their kingdom was fertile land. The Chola Empire of the South annexed by Satavahanas/ Andhras. emerged in the middle of the 9th century Educational Objective: Dynasties and A.D., covered a large part of Indian chronology of their rule peninsula, as well as parts of Sri Lanka and the Maldives Islands whereas in North India Magadha emerged in 6th BCE. Educational Objective: History of southern India www.laex.in Page No. 26 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 2. Key: C 2. From the third century AD when Explanation: the Hun invasion ended the  is broadly classified Roman Empire, the Indian into akam{Ahm} (inner), merchants relied more and more and puram (outer). The akam poetry on the is about emotions and feelings in the a) African Trade context of romantic love, sexual union b) West-European Trade and eroticism. The puram poetry is c) South-East Asian Trade about exploits and heroic deeds in the d) Middle-Eastern Trade context of war and public life. Approximately three-fourths of 3. With reference to forced labour the Sangam poetry is akam themed, (Vishti) in India during the Gupta and about one fourth is puram. period, which one of the following  Sangam literature, statements is correct? both akam and puram, can be a) It was considered a source of income subclassified into seven minor genre for the State, a sort of tax paid by the called tiṇai . This minor genre is based people. on the location or landscape in which b) It was totally absent in the Madhya the poetry is set. These are: kuṟiñci , Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the mountainous regions; mullai , Gupta Empire. pastoral forests; marutam , riverine c) The forced labourer was entitled to agricultural land; neytal coastal weekly wąges. regions; pālai arid d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.  The Eighteen Lesser Texts, known as the Patiṉeṇkīḻkaṇakku in the 4. There are only two known literature, is a collection of eighteen poetic works mostly created during examples of cave paintings of the the 'post Sangam period' (between 100 Gupta period in ancient India. One - 500 CE). The poems of this of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. collection differ from the earlier Where is the other surviving works of the Eighteen Greater example of Gupta painting? Texts (Patiṉeṇmēlkaṇakku), which a) Bagh caves are the oldest b) surviving Tamil poetry. c) Lomas Rishi cave Educational Objective: Sangam Age d) Nasik caves

11. Gupta Dynasty 5. 'Mrichhakatikam' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with 1. The Allahabad Pillar inscription a) the love affair of rich merchant with is associated with which one of the daughter of a courtesan the following? b) the victory of Chandragupta II over a) Mahapadma Nanda the Shaka Kshtrapas of western India b) Chandragupta Maurya c) the military expeditions and exploits c) Ashoka of Samudragupta d) Samudragupta d) the love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of

www.laex.in Page No. 27 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 6. Which one of the following ports 11. Gupta Dynasty handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period? Key & Explanation a) Tamralipti b) Broach 1. Key: D c) Kalyan Explanation: d) Cambay  The inscription is a panegyric 7. A: The origin of feudal system in praising Samudragupta and lists the political and military achievements of ancient India can be traced to his reign including his expeditions to military campaigns. the south. It provides a unique R: There was considerable snapshot of the Gupta empire and its expansion of the feudal system neighbours and is the source of much during the Gupta period. of what is known of the geopolitical a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the landscape of that era.  correct explanation of A Harisena was the author of allahabad pillar inscription . b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not  The Pillar was established during the correct explanation of A Ashoka regime. c) If A is true but R is false Educational Objective: Allahabad Pillar d) If A is false but R is true inscription 8. Why did Buddhism start declining 2. Key: C in India in the early medieval Explanation: times? After the 3rd century AD Roman Empire 1) Buddha was by that time considered came to an end. Indian merchants as one of the incarnations of Vishnu meanwhile had begun to rely more heavily and thus became a part of on the south-east Asian Trade. Along with Vaishnavism this came the cultural exchange. Temples 2) The invading tribes from Central Asia of Angkor , Pagan, Borobudur and till the time of last Gupta king Prambanan bear evidence to the deep adopted Hinduism and persecuted penetration of and Buddhists 3) The Kings of Gupta dynasty were architectural forms in these famous strongly opposed to Buddhism Southeast Asian monuments in which Indian traders and merchants have a Which of the' statements given above very important role. is/are correct ? Educational Objective: Ancient India’s a) 1 only cultural and economic interaction with b) 1 and 3 only South East Asia c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 3. Key: A Explanation:  Vishti was form of forced labour extracted by either state, provincial governor or local chief. It is also mentioned on Gupta era copper inscriptions that enlist variety of taxes. www.laex.in Page No. 28 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS  Junagarh inscription mentions some religious aspect attached to the vishti as one form of tax, which painting style of the Gupta period. indicates that it was extracted from Lomas Rishi Caves were built during Gujarat and region. Since it Ashok’s reign. was a forced labour in lieu of tax, it Nasik caves also called Pandavleni was not a wage labour. Wage labour Caves are associated with Satvahanas. existed in ancient India but it was not Educational Objective: cave paintings of called vishti. Vishti could be the Gupta period extracted from anyone, not in particular from eldest son only. 5. Key: A Explanation: Educational Objective: Taxation during Gupta Period  Mrichchhakatika' or 'The little clay art' is an ancient 4. Key: A Sanskrit play written by king Sudraka(Ujjayini) in 3rd century Explanation: A.D. Mrichchhakatika is one of the Bagh Painting: most famous prakaranas i.e.  Bagh Caves are in Dhar District of a play whose plot is partly derived on the banks of river from history and partly derived from Baghani. author's fancy of the ancient India.  There were originally 9 caves cut in  A ten act play based on the love of the lofty hills but only 4 of them are Charudatta, a prominent but poor inhabitant of Ujjayini (also called destroyed. Avanti) and Vasantasena, an  The paintings in these caves were exquisitely beautiful and pure minded engraved in the time period of 500 AD courtesan of the same city. to 700 AD. Educational Objective: Ancient Indian Ajanta Paitings: Literature  The Ajanta caves were begun around the 2nd century BCE. and were 6. Key: A continued until the 7th century. Explanation:  Ajanta paintings now in Maharashtra Gupta Empire had robust international and lies in the Western Ghats which internal trade despite fall in Roman trade. marks the boundary of the Deccan Riverine trade was also conducted through land separating it from that of Ganges, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Khandesh along the valley of the river etc. The important ports included Tapti. An outstanding feature of Tamralipti, Braoch, Kalyan, and Cambay. Ajanta art is that it combines Broach (Bharuch). The main items of trade architecture, sculpture, and painting included spices, pearls, gold, horses in its variety of expression. etc. Tamralipti port handled the north  The paintings in the cave of Ajanta in Indian trade during the Gupta the state of Maharashtra and the period. Located on the banks of the paintings in the cave of Bagh in the Rupnarayan River, ships sailed along the state of Madhya Pradesh symbolize coasts of Bengal and Myanmar to the the Gupta style painting. Malaya Peninsula and Indo China from  The cave paintings of the Gupta here. period commonly highlighted the life Educational Objective: Ports under of Buddha and various stories from Gupta Empire the Jataka tales. As such, there was www.laex.in Page No. 29 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS 7. Key: D varies. In some texts such as the Explanation: , he is portrayed as an avatar born to mislead those who  Generally it is believed that Feudal deny the Vedic knowledge. institutions develop in a state where  The invading tribes from Central Asia there is no efficient system of till the time of last Gupta King mostly centralized government, transport and had belief in Buddhism. communication. Under such  The Guptas were traditionally circumstances the life and property of a Hindu dynasty. They were the people can only be ensured if the orthodox , but did not force civil and criminal is their beliefs on the rest of the administered by local influential population,as Buddhism and Jainism persons. These influential persons will also were have their own army, own machinery encouraged. Sanchi remained an to collect taxes and customary dues, important centre of Buddhism. pay tributes and go to the rescue of Kumaragupta I (c. 414 – c. 455CE) is their overlord with military forces said to have founded Nalanda. when called for. So, assertion is wrong. Educational Objective: Decline of  Starting from the Gupta period the Buddhism in India. term samanta (neighbour) became to be applied to those granted land or to subjugated feudatory rulers. Weak 12. Pushyabhuti Dynasty enforcement of power over the conquered regions led to the resumption of independence and some 1. The Chinese traveler Yuan high administrative positions became Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who hereditary. Samantas were officials granted lands instead of a salary and visited India recorded the general proceeded to seize ownership of the conditions and culture of India at area while continuing to refer to that time. In this context, which themselves as vassals of their ruler. of the following statements is/are They were required to pay a small correct? fraction of revenue and provide troops 1) The roads and river-routes were for the overlord. These lords often completely immune from robbery. aped their royal suzerains, for instance, by constructing miniature 2) As regards punishment for offences, royal palaces. This encouraged the ordeals by fire, water and poison were fragmentation of authority and the instruments for Determining the growing parochialism which has been innocence or guilt of a person. suggested as a cause for the weak 3) The tradesmen had to pay duties at resistance against Muslim conquest. ferries and barrier stations. So, reason is correct. Select the correct answer using the Educational Objective: Feudalism in codes given below, India a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only 8. Key: A c) 1 and 3 only Explanation: d) 1, 2 and 3  In Vaishnava Hinduism, the historic Buddha or 2. Emperor Harsha's southward Gautama Buddha, is considered to be march was stopped on the an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. by Buddha's portrayal in Hinduism a) Pulkesin-I www.laex.in Page No. 30 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS b) Pulkesin-II among government employees; the c) Vikramaditya-I third of it was given to scholars; and d) Vikramaditya-II the fourth part of it was given in charity to Brahamanas and the 3. A: Harshavardhana convened the Buddhist monks. Prayag Assembly.  Hiuen Tsang wrote that the army of R: He wanted to popularize only Harsha consisted of 60,000 war- the Mahayana form of Buddhism. elephants, 50,000 strong a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the chariots and a 1,00,000 strong correct explanation of A infantry. b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not  He described Harsha as a perfect the correct explanation of A devotee of Buddha. c) If A is true but R is false  Hiuen Tsang described the social d) If A is false but R is true condition of India in detail. He wrote that caste-system was rigid.  Hiuen Tsang also wrote about the 12. Pushyabhuti Dynasty economic condition of India at that Key & Explanation time. He gave a long list of Indian fruits and agricultural products. India 1. Key: B produced the best cotton, silk and Explanation: woolen cloth at that time and Hiuen Tsang- prepared all sorts of garments from them. He praised very much the  The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang quality of Indian pearls and ivory. visited India during the period of  Hiuen Tsang wrote about the religious emperor Harsha. When he went back to China, he wrote a detailed condition of India as well. He description of India during the reign described that Brahamanism, of Harsha in his book ‘Si-yu-ki’ or Buddhism and Jainism were all ‘Record of the Western Countries’. popular religions in India.  He described that travelling was  His account of India is not not very much safe at that time. entirely dependable as At several He himself was robbed while places it is confused, while mostly travelling in India.  As regards punishment for it is biased because Hiuen Tsang offences, ordeals by fire, water used his description as a means to and poison were the instruments glorify Buddhism and Harsha as for its follower.  Determining the innocence or Educational Objective: Foreign guilt of a person. travellers and their accounts  The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. 2. Key: B  The main source of income of the state Explanation: was land-revenue which formed 1/6th of the produce. Hiuen Tsang described  Many inscriptions are found at , important among which is the that Harsha divided his income into inscription at Meguti Temple four parts. popularly known as Aihole inscription,  One part of it was spent on or Aihole Prashasti (Eulogy) of the administrative routine of the state; Chalukya king Pulakeshi-II written the second part of it was distributed by the Ravikirti, royal poet at the www.laex.in Page No. 31 https://elearn.laex.in ANCIENT HISTORY UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS court of Chalukya King, Pulakeshi II Educational Objective: Aihole who reigned from 610 to 642 CE. inscription  The inscription uses Sanskrit language and is written in Kannada 3. Key: C script by Ravikirti. Explanation:  There is a mention about the defeat of King Harshavardhana by Pulikeshi II Every five years, Harsha called for in the inscription. an assembly at Prayag. This ceremony  There is also a mention about the began with the worship of Surya, Shiva and victory of Chalukyas over the Pallavas Buddha (a testimony to his tolerance to all and of the shifting the capital from faiths), and after that he use do charitable Aihole to Badami by Pulikeshi-II. distribution.So, reason given is wrong.  The poet Kalidasa finds mention in the inscription and this has helped in Educational Objective: To know about determining his time. Harsha’s Regime

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