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Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Check Details Now!

PWOnlyIAS June 20, 2024 04:25 13367 0

Get the Ancient history questions in UPSC prelims 2024. Ancient history questions in UPSC prelims 2024 will give an opportunity for aspirants to streamline their preparation.

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Check Details Now!

Ancient history questions in UPSC prelims have witnessed an upward trend in the past few years. In the last few years, the number of questions asked from this section has gone up, making it a vital part of a candidate’s preparation.

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The difficulty level of ancient history questions in UPSC prelims has also gone up as UPSC has been focusing more on ignored themes such as authors, ports, locations associated with religious sects etc. While going through, you will come across certain themes that UPSC has been giving special focus. Candidates who have been unable to decide what topics to study for ancient history will get an idea by the end of this article on ancient history questions in UPSC prelims.

Let us have a look at the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, along with the trends of the themes from the Previous years questions. The Trend Analysis of the previous  years Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims is also given here.

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers

The table below contains the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers:

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers
Serial No  Question  Answer 
1. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?

(a)  Kavyalankara

(b)  Natyashastra

(c)  Madhyama-vyayoga

(d)  Mahabhashya

(c)  Madhyama-vyayoga
2. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :

(a)  Prajnaparamita Sutra

(b)  Visuddhimagga

(c)  Sarvastivada Vinaya

(d)  Lalitavistara

(c)  Sarvastivada Vinaya
3. 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 b

(a)  1 only

(b)  2 and 3 only

(c)  1, 2 and 3

(d)  None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

(b)  2 and 3 only
4. Consider the following information:

  Archaeological Site State Description
1 Chandraketugarh Odisha Trading Port town
2 Inamgaon Maharashtra Chalcolithic site
3 Mangadu Kerala Megalithic site
4 Salihundam Andhra Pradesh Rock-cut cave shrines

In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

(a)  1 and 2

(b)  2 and 3

(c)  3 and 4

(d)  1 and 4

(b)  2 and 3
5. Consider the following statements:

  1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
  2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)  1 only

(b)  2 only

(c)  Both 1 and 2

(d)  Neither 1 nor 2

(b)  2 only

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2023

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 can be anticipated a little by seeing the Ancient History Questions of UPSC Prelims 2023 and other previous years. UPSC followed the same trend as in 2022 by asking 9 ancient history questions in UPSC prelims. Below are the questions asked from ancient history in UPSC prelims 2023.

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1) In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

(a) Andhra

(b) Gandhara

(c) Kalinga

(d) Magadha

Answer: (a)

2) With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well known as

(a) capital cities

(b) ports

(c) centres of iron-and-steel making

(d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

Answer: (b)

3) With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

  1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
  2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 
  3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (b)

4) Consider the following dynasties:

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

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

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

Answer: (d)

5) Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?

(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.

(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters

(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals

(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Answer: (d)

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6) “Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water, and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.”

The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Shaivism

(d) Vaishnavism

Answer: (b)

7) With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:

Literary Work  Author
Devichandraguptam  Bilhana
Hammira-Mahakavya  Nayachandra Suri
Milinda-panha  Nagarjuna
Nitivakyamrita  Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (c)

8) Consider the following pairs:

Site  Well known for
Besnagar Shaivite cave shrine
Bhaja Buddhist cave shrine
Sittanavasal Jain cave shrine

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (b)

Srijan 2024

Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims in the Last Few Years

The trend of Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 can be understood by analysing the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims from previous years. Examiners have been giving significant weightage to ancient history questions in UPSC prelims. This is the reason why candidates have to put efforts into covering the topics under ancient history. The following table contains the number of questions asked in ancient history in the last few years.

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Year Number of Ancient History Questions
2023 8
2022 8
2021 8
2020 11
2019 5
2018 6
2017 7

ancient history questions in UPSC prelims

Also Read: Ancient History Questions with Answers

Strategy for for Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims

Every candidate needs to understand the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims in the previous years to prepare the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024. Ancient history is a tricky subject which needs a slight tweak in approach to succeed. Candidates can follow some of the strategies mentioned below to score more marks in the subject.

  • Choosing the Correct Books: Candidates have to read basic NCERT books to understand the basics of the subject. Optional level reference books can be avoided.
  • Making Notes: Candidates need to make short notes during their initial phase so that they can revise them later. The notes need regular value addition.
  • Regular Revision: Candidates have to remember facts in order to attempt more questions. This is only possible through regular revision.
  • PYQ Analysis: By analyzing PYQs, candidates can identify themes that are regularly asked in exams. This will help in scoring more marks.
  • Test Series: Candidates’ knowledge needs to be tested before the exam. For this purpose, they can enroll in any good test series.

Repeated Themes of Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims

There are certain themes under ancient history that UPSC wants candidates to focus on. This is the reason why questions are regularly asked from these themes. The following table contains important themes for ancient history questions in UPSC prelims.

Themes Significance
Indus Valley Civilization 1-2 questions related to location, features etc.
Sangam Period 1-2 questions related to literature, society, kingdoms etc.
Jainism and Buddhism 2-3 questions
Mauryan Period 0-1 question related to society, economy etc
Asokan Inscriptions 0-1 question
Gupta Period 2-3 questions related to literature, personalities, society etc
Post-Gupta Period 0-1 question related to dynasties and their contribution.

Also Read: Questions in UPSC Prelims

Sample Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims

Candidates can check sample ancient history questions in UPSC prelims from important topics given below.

Indus Valley Civilization

Q. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channeling water into connected reservoirs? (2021)

(a) Dholavira

(b) Kalibangan

(c) Rakhigarhi

(d) Ropar

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Sangam Period

Q. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct? (2022)

(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.

(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

(c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethics.

(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

Buddhism and Jainism

Q. With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to (2018)

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Vaishnavism

(d) Shaivism

Asokan Inscriptions

Q. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? (2019)

(a) Kanganahalli

(b) Sanchi

(c) Shahbazagrhi

(d) Sohgaura

Post-Mauryan India

Q. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? (2021)

  1. The Guptas of Magadha
  2. The Paramaras of Malwa
  3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
  4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
  5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
  6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only

(c) 2, 3, and 4 only

(d) 5 and 6 only

Gupta Period

Q. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct? (2019)

(a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.

(b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.

(c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.

(d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.

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Must Read
UPSC Daily Editorials UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store 
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store UPSC Test Series 2024
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
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Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims FAQs

UPSC asks a mix of questions from ancient history which range from moderate to difficult.

Yes. Many questions asked from ancient history can be solved by reading NCERT books. Most of the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims are based on the facts and data from the NCERT books.

No. UPSC does not repeat the questions. However, the themes and options can be repeated in the exam. Candidates need to analyse the Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims to understand the complete pattern.

On an average, UPSC asks about 10-15 questions from ancient history topics in UPSC prelims.

Candidates can remember facts by reading the topic multiple times. Apart from that, regular revision holds the key to recalling the information.
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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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