UPSC previous year question paper of subject Ancient History from the year 1995 to 2000 with answers.
Results
#1. With reference to the art and archaeo-logicalhistory ofIndia, which one amongthe following was madeearliest? [2015]
#2. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? [2014 ] 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answerusing the code given below.
#3. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem ofIndiais taken from [2014]
#4. Whichoneofthe following pairs does not form part ofthe six systems of Indian Philosophy? [2014 ]
#5. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture Site : Ajanta : Mount Abu : Mamallapuram in India, considerthe followingpairs: [2014 ] Famousshrine Location 1. Tabo monastery and Spiti Valley temple complex 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang Zanskar Valley temple, Nako 3. Alchi temple complex Ladakh Whichofthe pairs given aboveis/are correctly matched?
#6. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: [2014] Famous work of Sculpture : Site 1. A grand image ofBuddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerouscelestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta 2 Ahuge imageofVaraha Avatar(boar incarnation) ofVishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu 3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/ “Descent of Ganga”sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given aboveis/are correctly matched?
#7. Conside rthe following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
#8. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indianartists from ancient time still today. Which one ofthe following statements best describes this pose? [2013]
#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 statementsis/are correct? [2013] 1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery. 2. As regards punishment for offences, or deals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocenceor 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.
#10. With reference to the history ofIndian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: [2013] 1. The caves at Badamiare the oldest surviving rock-cut cavesin India. 2. The Barabarrock-cut caves were originally madefor Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. 3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths. Which of the statements given aboveis/are correct?
#11. Whichofthe following statementsis/are applicable to Jain doctrine? [2013 ] 1. The surest way of annihilating Karmais to practice penance. 2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul. 3. Karmais the bane of the soul and must be ended. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
#12. Which of the following characterizes / characterize the people of Indus Civilization? [2013 ] 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
#13. Whichone of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism? [2013 ]
#14. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: [2013 ] 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 influenceor agent. Which of the statements given aboveis/are correct?
#15. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two? [2013 ]
#16. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very importantrole in the country’s economy, which ofthe following statements is/are correct? [2012 ]1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king wasthe chiefadministrative authority on them. 2. The wages, rules ofwork, standards and prices were fixed by the guild. 3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
#17. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of [2012]
#18. Lord Buddha’s imageis sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes [2012]
#19. The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesaraare the [2012]
#20. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were commonto both Buddhism and Jainism? [2012 ] 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 3. Denial ofefficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
#21. ith referenceto the scientific progress of ancient India, whichofthe statements given below are correct? [2012] 1. Different kinds ofspecialized surgical instruments were in commonuse by Ist century AD. 2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun bythe beginning of 3rd century AD. 3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in Sth century AD. 4. Theconceptofcyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD. Select the correct answerusing the codes given below:
#22. he “Dharma”and “Rita” depict a central Idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements: [2011 -I] 1. Dharma wasa conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others. 2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained. Which ofthe statements given aboveis/are correct?
#23. egarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India [2011 – I] Which ofthe statements given aboveis/are correct?
#24. India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay ofBengal. For this preeminenceofearly maritime history ofBay ofBengal, which ofthe following could be the most convincing explanation/ explanations ?
#25. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by [2011 ]
