UPSC PYQs
2025
- Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman
Answer: (a) Mahendravarman I
Explanation:
·Mahendravarman I was a ruler of the Pallava dynasty.
·He was known as a scholar, poet and patron of art.
·The title Mattavilasa is linked to his Sanskrit play Mattavilasa Prahasana.
·Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara indicate artistic creativity and intellectual excellence.
·He also initiated early rock-cut temple architecture.
·Other Pallava rulers listed were mainly political or military figures, not associated with these titles. - Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Answer: (b) Chandragupta II
Explanation:
·Fa-hien visited India between about 399 and 414 CE.
·Chandragupta II ruled during this period.
·Fa-hien described peace, prosperity and a mild penal system.
·His account reflects the social and religious conditions of the Gupta age.
·Samudragupta ruled earlier, while Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta ruled later.
·Hence, Chandragupta II is the correct answer. - With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:
Territorial region – River flowing in the region
I. Asmaka : Godavari
II. Kamboja : Vipas
III. Avanti : Mahanadi
IV. Kosala : Sarayu
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
Ashmaka/Assaka lay in the Godavari valley near Nanded (Maharashtra), between the Godavari and Manjira rivers. It is mentioned in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, Markandeya Purana, and Brihatsamhita; Buddhist texts also place it along the Godavari. The capital Potana/Podana is identified with modern Bodhan. Jatakas note periods under Kashi’s influence and a military victory over Kalinga. Kamboja was mainly drained by the Jhelum (Vitasta), not the Vipas. It included Rajaori (Hazara district, Pakistan). Kambojas were monarchical till ~6th century BCE; later, the Arthashastra calls them a gana-sangha. The Vipas (Beas) flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Avanti lay in the Malwa region; the Mahanadi does not flow through it but Narmada. Avanti had two capitals—Ujjayini (Ujjain) and Mahishmati (Mandhata)—both key trade-route centres linking north India with the Deccan and the western ports. Kosala’s principal river was the Sarayu, covering eastern UP (Ayodhya; Shakya territory of Kapilavastu). The Sarayu divided Kosala: Shravasti (north) and Kushavati (south). Boundaries: Sadanira/Gandak (east), Gomati (west), Sarpika/Syandika—Sai (south), and Nepal hills (north). - Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the Pradeshika’, Rajuka’ and Yukta’ were important officers at the
(a) village-level administration
(b) district-level administration
(c) provincial administration
(d) level of the central administration
Answer: (b) District-level administration
Explanation:
·Ashokan inscriptions mention these officials repeatedly.
·Pradeshika functioned as a touring officer overseeing administration.
·Rajuka had judicial and revenue-related responsibilities.
·Yukta acted as a subordinate official or accountant.
·These officers operated mainly at the district or regional level.
·Provincial administration was handled by princes or governors, not by these officers. - The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in
(a) Delhi
(b) Gwalior
(c) Ujjain
(d) Lahore
Answer: (d) Lahore
Explanation:
·Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was a pioneer of Indian classical music education.
·He established the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901.
·The aim was to systematise and democratise music education.
·Other centres like Delhi and Gwalior developed later.
·Therefore, Lahore is the correct answer. - The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
(a) carnelian
(b) clay
(c) bronze
(d) gold
Answer: (c) Bronze
Explanation:
·The Dancing Girl statue was made using the lost-wax technique.
·This shows advanced metallurgical knowledge of the Harappan people.
·Bronze was commonly used for small figurines and tools.
·Clay was mainly used for toys and seals.
·Carnelian was used for beads and ornaments.
·Gold was rare and not used for this artifact.
2024
- Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasha?
(a) Kavyalankara
(b) Natyashastra
(c) Madhyama-vyayoga
(d) Mahabhashya
Answer: (c) Madhyama-vyayoga
Explanation:
·Bhasa was one of the earliest Sanskrit playwrights.
·Madhyama-vyayoga is a one-act play attributed to him.
·It is based on a story from the Mahabharata.
·Kavyalankara is a work on poetics, not drama.
·Natyashastra was written by Bharata Muni.
·Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali. - 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 Sain
(d) Lalitavistara
Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
Explanation:
·Sanghabhuti was associated with the Sarvastivada school of Buddhism.
·He travelled to China to translate and explain Buddhist texts.
·His commentary focused on the Vinaya rules of the Sarvastivada sect.
·Prajnaparamita texts are mainly Mahayana philosophical works.
·Visuddhimagga is a Theravada text by Buddhaghosa.
·Lalitavistara is a biographical text on the life of Buddha. - 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:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Shakyamuni means the sage of the Shakya clan and is a common epithet of Buddha.
Tathagata is frequently used by Buddha to refer to himself.
Nayaputta refers to Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
Therefore, only Shakyamuni and Tathagata are correct. - 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 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
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Explanation:
Chandraketugarh is located in present-day West Bengal, not Odisha, but it was a trading port town.
Inamgaon is a Chalcolithic site located in Maharashtra and is correctly matched.
Mangadu is not a megalithic site of Kerala.
Salihundam is a Buddhist site with stupas, not rock-cut shrines.
Hence, only rows 1 and 2 are correct.
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
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
·Upanishads do contain parables and symbolic stories.
·Therefore, the statement that there are no parables is incorrect.
·Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
·Puranas belong mainly to the later classical and early medieval period.
·Hence, only the second statement is correct.
2023
- 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) Andhra
Explanation:
·Dhanyakataka is identified with Amaravati in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
·It was a major centre of Buddhism during the early centuries of the Common Era.
·The Mahasanghika sect was influential in this region.
·Amaravati developed as an important centre of Buddhist art and learning.
·Other regions listed are not historically linked with Dhanyakataka. - 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: (c) All three
Explanation:
·The concept of the stupa is primarily Buddhist in origin.
·Stupas generally contained relics of the Buddha or important monks.
·Stupas also functioned as votive and commemorative monuments.
·They became central to Buddhist religious practice and pilgrimage.
·Hence, all three statements are correct. - 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) Ports
Explanation:
·These towns are frequently mentioned in Sangam literature.
·They functioned as major ports involved in overseas trade.
·Muchiri was especially known for Roman trade.
·Poompuhar was an important port of the Chola kingdom.
·Korkai was associated with pearl fisheries and maritime trade. - 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) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Explanation:
·Vattakirutal refers to a practice described in Sangam literature.
·It involved a defeated king fasting unto death.
·This act was considered an honourable response to defeat.
·It reflects the warrior ethos and moral codes of Sangam-age society.
·The other options are not related to this practice. - Consider the following dynasties:
1.Hoysala
2.Gahadavala
3.Kakatiya
4.Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation:
·The Hoysala dynasty rose to prominence later, mainly in the eleventh century.
·The Gahadavala dynasty emerged around the eleventh century in North India.
·The Kakatiya dynasty became prominent in the twelfth century.
·The Yadava dynasty of Devagiri rose in the twelfth century.
·None of these dynasties originated in the early eighth century. - With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work – Author
1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. 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: (b) Only two
Explanation:
·Hammira-Mahakavya was written by Nayachandra Suri and is correctly matched.
·Nitivakyamrita was authored by Somadeva Suri and is correctly matched.
·Devichandragupta was written by Vishakhadatta, not Bilhana.
·Milinda-panha is a Buddhist text, not authored by Nagarjuna but by Nagasena .
·Therefore, only two pairs are correct.
- “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) Jainism
Explanation:
·Jainism believes in the existence of soul in all living and non-living entities.
·This belief is known as universal animism.
·It forms the basis of the doctrine of ahimsa.
·Buddhism does not accept soul in non-living objects.
·Shaivism and Vaishnavism do not hold such a belief. - Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and canalcum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha
Answer: (a) Devaraya I
Explanation:
·Devaraya I focused on irrigation and infrastructure development.
·He constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra River.
·Canals were built to supply water to the capital city.
·This helped in agricultural expansion and urban water supply.
·Other rulers listed are not associated with this achievement. - Consider the following pairs:
Site – Well known for
1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
3. Sittanawasal : 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) Only two
Explanation:
·Bhaja is a Buddhist cave shrine and is correctly matched.
·Sittanawasal is a Jain cave site and is correctly matched.
·Besnagar is known for the Heliodorus pillar, not Shaivite caves.
·Hence, only two pairs are correct.