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    Ancient History: UPSC Prelims previous year questions

    8 official questions, topic-wise, with answers and explanations. Revise the topic in the study notes, then practise with chapter tests.

    How many questions each year

    Questions from Ancient History in UPSC Prelims GS Paper I, by topic (top six topics shown).

    • Ancient India8 · 100%

    8 questions

    1. UPSC Prelims 2024 · Ancient India

      With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?

      1. Nayaputta
      2. Shakyamuni
      3. Tathagata

      Select the correct answer using the code given below:

      1. a) 1 only
      2. b) 2 and 3 only
      3. c) 1, 2 and 3
      4. d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
      Question 1

    2. UPSC Prelims 2021 · Ancient India

      From the declines 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 codes given below.

      1. a) 1, 2 and 5
      2. b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
      3. c) 2, 3 and 4
      4. d) 5 and 6
      Question 2

    3. UPSC Prelims 2020 · Ancient India

      With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as

      1. a) Ports handling foreign trade
      2. b) Capitals of powerful kingdoms
      3. c) Places of exquisite stone art and architecture
      4. d) Important Buddhist pilgrimage centres
      Question 3

    4. UPSC Prelims 2019 · Ancient India

      With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

      1. a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
      2. b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
      3. c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
      4. d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
      Question 4

    5. UPSC Prelims 2019 · Ancient India

      Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

      1. a) Chanhudaro
      2. b) Kot Diji
      3. c) Sohgaura
      4. d) Desalpur
      Question 5

    6. UPSC Prelims 2017 · Ancient India

      With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

      1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
      2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
      3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

      Select the correct answer using the code given below:

      1. a) 1 only
      2. b) 2 and 3 only
      3. c) 1 and 3 only
      4. d) 1, 2 and 3
      Question 6

    7. UPSC Prelims 2014 · Ancient India

      Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

      1. Avanti
      2. Gandhara
      3. Kosala
      4. Magadha

      Select the correct answer using the code given below.

      1. a) 1, 2 and 3
      2. b) 2 and 4
      3. c) 1, 3 and 4 only
      4. d) 3 and 4
      Question 7

    8. UPSC Prelims 2013 · Ancient India

      Which of the following characterizes/ characterize the people of Indus Civilization?

      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.

      1. a) 1 and 2 only
      2. b) 2 only
      3. c) 2 and 3 only
      4. d) None of the statements given above is correct
      Question 8