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Civil Services Prelims Examination History Of India (Ancient)- GS Paper I

Civil Services Examination 2019


1. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

  1. Chanhudaro
  2. Kot Diji
  3. Sohagaura
  4. Desalpur


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

  1. Kanganahalli
  2. Sanchi
  3. Shahbazgarhi
  4. Sohgaura


3. Consider the following:

  1. Deification of the Buddha
  2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
  3. Image worship and rituals

Which of above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


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

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


Civil Services Examination 2018


1. Consider the following pairs:

Craft Heritage of
1. Puthukkuli Shaw ls Tamil Nadu
2. Sujni Embroidery Maharashtra
3. Uppada Jamdani Saris Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2
  3. 3 only
  4. 2 and 3


2. With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

  1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
  2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
  3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contem-poraries.
  4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 2 and 4 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 2, 3 and 4


3. The well-known painting “Bani Thani”belongs to the

  1. Bundi School
  2. Jaipur School
  3. Kangra School
  4. Kishangarh School


4. With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to-

  1. Buddhism
  2. Jainism
  3. Vaishnavism
  4. Shaivism


5. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?

  1. Avalokiteshvara
  2. Lokesvara
  3. Maitreya
  4. Padmapani


6. Consider the following pairs:

Tradition State
Chapchar Kut Festival Mizoram
Khonom Parba Ballad Manipur
Thang-Ta Dance Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2
  3. 3 only
  4. 2 and 3


Civil Services Examination 2017


1. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

  1. Arasavalli
  2. Amarakantak
  3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


2. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at

  1. Ajanta
  2. Badami
  3. Bagh
  4. Ellora


3. Consider the following pairs:

Tradition Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. None of the above


4. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

  1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
  2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


5. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

  1. It is a song and dance performance.
  2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
  3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1 only


6. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

  1. Kakinada
  2. Motupalli
  3. Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
  4. Nelluru


7. 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. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


Civil Services Examination 2016


1. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to

  1. Bonded labour
  2. Land grants made to military officer
  3. Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
  4. Wasteland converted to cultivated land


2. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of whom of the following?

  1. Shramana
  2. Parivrajaka
  3. Agrahaarika
  4. Maagadha


3. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term Description
1. Eripatti Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas Colleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above is / are correctly matched?

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 3 only
  3. 2 and 3
  4. 1 and 3


4. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

  1. Swapnavasavadatta
  2. Malavikagnimitra
  3. Meghadoota
  4. Ratnavali


5. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

  1. Georg Buhler
  2. James Prinsep
  3. Max Muller
  4. William Jones


6. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

  1. The Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
  2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
  3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


7. What is / are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

  1. Both were built in the same period.
  2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
  3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. None of the statements given above is correct


Civil Services Examination 2015


1. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?

  1. Odia
  2. Konkani
  3. Bhojpuri
  4. Assamese


2. Kalamkari painting refers to:

  1. a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
  2. a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
  3. a block-painted woolen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
  4. a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India


3. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

  1. Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
  2. Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
  3. Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
  4. Varaha Image at Udayagiri


4. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?

  1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
  2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
  3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


5. 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. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 3 and 4
  4. 3 and 4 only


6. Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?

  1. AmoghavarshaI
  2. Ballala II
  3. Harihara I
  4. Prataparudra II


Civil Services Examination 2014


1. Consider the following languages:

  1. Gujarati
  2. Kannada
  3. Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


2. Consider the following towns of India:

  1. Bhadrachalam
  2. Chanderi
  3. Kancheepuram
  4. Karnal

Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees / fabric?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 1, 3 and 4


3. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

  1. Katha Upanishad
  2. Chandogya Upanishad
  3. Aitareya Upanishad
  4. Mundaka Upanishad


4. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian philosophy?

  1. Mimamsa and Vedanta
  2. Nyaya and Vaisheshika
  3. Lokayata and Kapalika
  4. Sankhya and Yoga


5. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

  1. an assembly of village elders
  2. a religious sect
  3. a style of temple construction
  4. an administrative functionary


6. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:

  1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
  2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
  3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


7. Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

  1. 22nd March (or 21st March)
  2. 15th May (or 16th May)
  3. 31st March (or 30th March)
  4. 21st April (or 20th April)


8. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs:

Famous work of sculpture/b> Site
1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana
with numerous celestial musicians above
and the sorrowful figures of his followers below 		Ajanta
2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (Boar incarnation)
of Vishnu, 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 		Mamalla purram

Which of the pairs given above is / are correctly matched?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


9. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is “Kalaripayattu”?

  1. It is an ancient Bhakti cult of shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India.
  2. It is an ancient style bronze and brass work still found in southern part of Coromandel area.
  3. It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar.
  4. It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India.


10. Consider the following pairs:

Garba Gujarat
Mohiniattam Odisha
Yakshagana Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


11. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India consider the following pairs:

Famous Shrine Location
1. Tabo Monastery &Temple Complex Spiti Valley
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang Temple, Nako Zanskar Valley
3. Alchi Temple Complex Ladakh

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


Civil Services Examination 2013


1. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?

  1. One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck.
  2. Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters.
  3. Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story.
  4. A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism.


2. Consider the following historical places:

  1. Ajanta Caves
  2. Lepakshi Temple
  3. Sanchi Stupa

Which of the above places is / are also known for mural paintings?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. None


3. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India consider the following statements regarding Sankhya School:

  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 influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


4. Which of the following statements is / are applicable to Jain doctrine?

  1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
  2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
  3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


5. Which of the following characterizes / cha-racterize 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. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. None of the statements given above is correct


6. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?

  1. Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks.
  2. Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks.
  3. Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it.
  4. There is no material difference between the two.


7. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

  1. The extinction of the flame of desire
  2. The complete annihilation of self
  3. A state of bliss and rest
  4. A mental stage beyond all comprehension


8. The Chinese traveler 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 statements is/are correct?

  1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
  2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


9. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:

  1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
  2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
  3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Civil Services Examination 2012


1. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?

  1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
  2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD.
  3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
  4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 and 4 only
  3. 1, 3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4


2. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

  1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
  2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
  3. Denial of efficacy of rituals

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


3. The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:

  1. three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
  2. three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
  3. three main styles of Indian temple architecture
  4. three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India


4. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called’ Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes

  1. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation.
  2. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
  3. Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the earth and family dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory.
  4. Both the statement (a) and (b) are correct in this context.


5. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?

  1. Dancers’ occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
  2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


6. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of

  1. Bhakti
  2. image worship and Yajnas
  3. worship of nature and Yajnas
  4. worship of nature and Bhakti


7. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
  2. The wages, rules of work, 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:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Civil Services Examination 2011


1. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

  1. Universal Law
  2. Universal Truth
  3. Universal Faith
  4. Universal Soul

2. Regarding 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.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

3. The “dharma” and “rita” depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements:

  1. Dharma was a 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 of the statements given above is/ are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2