The term ‘Aryan’ denotes
- (a)an ethnic group
- (b)a nomadic people
- (c)a speech group
- (d)a superior race
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Official answer(c) a speech group
Ancient History
101 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.
Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?
- (a)Tamralipti
- (b)Broach
- (c)Kalyan
- (d)Cambray
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Official answer(a) Tamralipti
From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the
- (a)African trade
- (b)West European trade
- (c)Southeast Asian trade
- (d)Middle Eastern trade
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Official answer(c) Southeast Asian trade
The following persons came to India at one time or another: I. Fa-Hien II. I-Tsing III. Megasthenes IV. Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
- (a)III, I, II, IV
- (b)III, I, IV, II
- (c)I, III, II, IV
- (d)I, III, IV, II
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Official answer(b) III, I, IV, II
Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C.?
- (a)Gandhar
- (b)Kamboj
- (c)Kashi
- (d)Magadh
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Official answer(c) Kashi
The Indo-Greek kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century BC was
- (a)Bactria
- (b)Scythia
- (c)Zedrasia
- (d)Aria
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Official answer(a) Bactria
Assertion (A): According to Asoka’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.
- (a)Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b)Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
- (c)A is true, but R is false
- (d)A is false, but R is true
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Official answer(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
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?
- (a)Sohagaura Copper-plate
- (b)Rumminidei pillar-edict of Asoka
- (c)Prayaga-Prasasti
- (d)Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra
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Official answer(a) Sohagaura Copper-plate
The given map relates to The original map is not available for this question.
- (a)Kaniska at the time of his death
- (b)Samudragupta after the close of his South Indian campaign
- (c)Asoka towards the close of his reign
- (d)Empire of Thanesar on the eve of Harsha’s accession
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Official answer(c) Asoka towards the close of his reign
The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts
- (a)I and X
- (b)I and XI
- (c)II and XIII
- (d)II and XIV
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Official answer(c) II and XIII
What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India? I. Gold coins II. Punch-marked silver coins III. Iron plough IV. Urban culture Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a)III, IV, I, II
- (b)III, IV, II, I
- (c)IV, III, I, II
- (d)IV, III, II, I
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Official answer(d) IV, III, II, I
Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Asoka?
- (a)Kalsi
- (b)Rummindei
- (c)Special Kalinga Edict
- (d)Maski
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Official answer(d) Maski
The following map shows four of the sixteen mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India. The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are
- (a)Matsya, Cedi, Kosala, Anga
- (b)Surasena, Avanti, Vatsa, Magadha
- (c)Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga
- (d)Surasena, Cedi, Kosala, Magadha
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Official answer(c) Matsya, Avanti, Vatsa, Anga
The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called
- (a)rupaka
- (b)karshapana
- (c)dinara
- (d)pana
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Official answer(a) rupaka
Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?
- (a)Chaturvedi Mangalam
- (b)Parishad
- (c)Ashtadikgaja
- (d)Manigrama
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Official answer(d) Manigrama
The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be
- (a)601
- (b)300
- (c)330
- (d)407
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Official answer(a) 601
The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is
- (a)Sindhu
- (b)Sutudri
- (c)Sarasvati
- (d)Ganga
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Official answer(a) Sindhu
In the context of ancient Indian society, which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three?
- (a)Kula
- (b)Vamsa
- (c)Kosa
- (d)Gotra
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Official answer(c) Kosa
Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?
- (a)Saumilla
- (b)Sudraka
- (c)Shaunaka
- (d)Susrutha
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Official answer(d) Susrutha
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Visakhadatta II. Varahamihira III. Charaka IV. Brahmagupta List II A) Medicine B) Drama C) Astronomy D) Mathematics
- (a)I – A, II – C, III – D, IV – B
- (b)I – B, II – A, III – C, IV – D
- (c)I – B, II – C, III – A, IV – D
- (d)I – C, II – B, III – A, IV – B
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Official answer(c) I – B, II – C, III – A, IV – D
Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?
- (a)Lopamudra
- (b)Gargi
- (c)Leelavati
- (d)Savitri
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Official answer(a) Lopamudra
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Eras) I. Vikrama era II. Saka era III. Gupta era IV. Kali era List II (Reckoned from) A) 3102 B.C. B) 320 A.D. C) 78 A.D. D) 58 B.C. E) 248 A.D.
- (a)I-B, II-D, III-E, IV-A
- (b)I-A, II-C, III-B, IV-D
- (c)I-D, II-E, III-B, IV-C
- (d)I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
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Official answer(d) I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak
- (a)Sanskrit
- (b)Prakrit
- (c)Pali
- (d)Sauraseni
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Official answer(b) Prakrit
The name by which Asoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is
- (a)Chakravarti
- (b)Dharmadeva
- (c)Dharmakirti
- (d)Priyadarshini
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Official answer(d) Priyadarshini
The term Yavanapriya, mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts, denoted
- (a)a fine variety of Indian muslin
- (b)ivory
- (c)damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
- (d)pepper
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Official answer(d) pepper