UPSC previous year question paper of subject Ancient History from the year 1995 to 2000 with answers
Results
#1. Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander’s invasion?[2000]
#2. The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the: [2000]
#3. Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.
#4. 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.
#5. Assertion (A): The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence (ahimsa)prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism. Reason (R): Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests. [2000]
#6. Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilukanakku 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. Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period?
#8. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes:[1999]
#9. The Indo-Laws Kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century B.C. was:[1999]
#10. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C. ?[1999]
#11. The following persons came to India at one time or another: 1. Fa-Hien 2. I-Tsing 3. Megasthanese 4. Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
#12. From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the:
#13. The concept of Eight fold path forms the theme of: [1998]
#14. Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food-grains to be utilised during the crises in the country? [1998]
#15. which of the following pairs are correctly matched? [1998] 1. Lothal Ancient dockyard 2. Sarnath First Sermon of Buddha 3. Rajgir Lion capital of Ashoka 4. Nalanda Great seat of Buddhist learning Select the correct answerusing the codes given below:
#16. Assertion (A): According to Ashoka’s edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion. Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion.
#17. What is the correct chronological order in which the following appearedin India? [1998] 1. Gold coins 2. Punch marked silver coins 3. Iron plough 4. Urban culture Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
#18. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? [1998] 1. Mrichchakatikam—Shudraka 2. Buddhacharita—Vasuvandhu 3. Mudrarakshasha—Vishakadatta 4, Harshacharita—Banabhatta Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
#19. The Ashoka major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts:
#20. Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because: [1998]
#21. The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:[1997]
#22. Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India? [1997]
#23. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:[1997] List-I (Author) List-II (Text) A. Varahamihira 1. Prabandha Chintamani B. Vishakhadatta 2. Mrichchha-Katikam C. Sudraka 3. Brihat-Samhita D. Bilhana 4. Devi-Chandraguptam 5. Vikramankadeva-Charita
#24. The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called:[1997]
#25. In the Mahayana Buddhism,the Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara was also known as:[1997]
#26. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?[1997]
#27. Milindapanho is in the form of a dialogue between the king Menander and Buddhist monk:[1997]
#28. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the:[1997]
#29. Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left?[1997]
#30. Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is incorrect?
#31. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [1997] List-I List-II A. Gupta 1. Badami B. Chandella 2. Panamalai C. Chalukya 3. Khajuraho D. Pallava 4. Deogarh
#32. Which one of the following texts of ancient India allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband?[1996]
#33. Match List-I with List-I and select the correct answer:[1996] List-I List-II A. Vishakhadatta 1. Medicine B. Varahamihira 2. Drama C. Charaka 3. Astronomy D. Brahmagupta 4. Mathematics
#34. Which one of the following sculptures was invariably used green schist as the medium?[1996]
#35. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?[1996]
#36. In the context of ancient Indian society which one ofthe following terms does not belong to the category ofthe other three? [1995]
#37. Which of the following were commonto both Buddhism and Jainism? [1996] 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 3. Denial of efficacy of rituals 4. Non-injury to animal life Select the answer using the codes given below:[1996]
#38. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature?[1996]
#39. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is:[1996]
#40. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi? [1996]
#41. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the sequential order ofthe cycle of four acons (yugas)is:[1996]
#42. Bronze icons of nataraja cast during the chola period invariably show the deity with:1995]
#43. According to Mimamsa system of philosophy,liberation is 7 possible by means by: [1995]
#44. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by: [1995]
#45. The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted:[1995]
#46. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to his inscriptionsis:[1995]
#47. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak:[1995]
#48. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer (using codes given below the lists)[1995] List-I (Eras) List-II (Reckoned from) A. Vikramaera 1. 3102BC. B. Sakaera 2. 320A.D. C. Gupta era 3. 78A.D. v D. Kaliera 4. 58BC. . 5. 248A.D.
#49. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?[1995]
#50. The word ‘Hindu’asreference to the people of Hind (India). was first used by:[1995]
