Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. The Upanishads do contain parables (short stories with moral or philosophical lessons). Examples include:

Nachiketa and Yama in the Katha Upanishad, which explores the concept of the soul and immortality.

Statement 2 is correct: The Upanishads (1000-500 BCE) were composed during the later Vedic period, forming the philosophical core of Hinduism. The Puranas, on the other hand, were compiled much later (mostly between 3rd to 10th century CE), making Upanishads earlier than Puranas.

Explanation

Ancient and medieval Indian playwrights and dramatists, like Bhasa, Kalidasa, and Bhavabhuti, created masterpieces that blended poetry, philosophy, and performance. Bhavabhti was an 8th-century scholar of India noted for his plays and poetry, written in Sanskrit. He is known as "Poet of Karun Rasa" for his work named as Uttararamacharita. His written plays include Mahavircharitra and Malatimadhava. Hastimalla was a Kannada poet and playwright during Hoysalas’ reign. He wrote 8 plays including ’VikrantKaurava’ and ’Subhadra Harana’ Kshemeshvara was an 11th-century Sanskrit poet from Kashmir in India. One of the important works attributed to him is the Dasavatar Charita.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The distinction between Mitakshara and Dayabhaga is not based on caste i.e. upper or lower castes but on regional variations of Hindu law. Mitakshara was prevalent in most parts of India, whereas Dayabhaga was primarily followed in Bengal and parts of Assam.

Statement 2 is correct: Both were Hindu law books and governed property rights and inheritance. The Mitakshara was written by Vijnanesvara, a scholar in the Kalyani Chalukya court in the late 11th century. The Dayabhaga was authored by Jimutavahana, a 12th-century scholar from Bengal. In the Mitakshara system, sons acquire a right to ancestral property by birth, meaning they have a share in the joint family property during the father’s lifetime. In the Dayabhaga system, sons do not have a right to the property until the father’s death.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mitakshara system historically favored male descendants, with females becoming coparceners only after the Hindu Succession Act, 2005. In contrast, the Dayabhaga system provides relatively better property rights to women, allowing both male and female heirs to inherit property. However it is wrong to say that Mitakshara deals with matters of property rights of only males as the wife is allowed to have share when husband and son partition the property.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Panini, the great grammarian, is not associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. He is traditionally believed to have lived during the Maurya period, possibly around the 4th century BCE. Pushyamitra Shunga, however, founded the Shunga dynasty around 185 BCE, well after Panini’s time. Panini is most famous for his work "Ashtadhyayi", a treatise on Sanskrit grammar.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Amarasimha, an eminent scholar and lexicographer, is associated with the Gupta period, not Harshavardhana. He is known for compiling the Amarakosa, a famous Sanskrit lexicon. Amarasimha is believed to have lived during the reign of Chandragupta II of the Gupta Empire (c. 4th century CE), not during Harshavardhana’s reign (7th century CE).

Statement 3 is correct: Kalidasa, one of the greatest classical Sanskrit poets and playwrights, is traditionally associated with the Gupta period, specifically with Chandragupta II, also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya (r. 375-413 CE). Kalidasa is believed to have flourished at the Gupta court, and his works such as "Abhijnanasakuntalam", "Meghaduta", and "Raghuvamsa" reflect the grandeur of the Gupta Empire. Kalidasa and Amarsimha were among the nine jewels of Chandragupta-II aka Chandragupta Vikramaditya.

Explanation

In ancient India, the Magadhas were professional bards (poets and storytellers) who specialized in memorizing and reciting chronicles, dynastic histories, and epic tales. They played a significant role in preserving oral traditions and passing down historical events before written records became widespread. They were closely associated with court traditions, where they narrated the achievements of kings and noble families. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Agrahara: means grant given to Brahmins, it was perpetual, hereditary and tax free. Agraharika refers to the residents of agraharas, which were village settlements primarily for Brahmins. Shramana: Buddhism, Jainism, and other non-Brahmanical ascetic traditions, collectively known as Sramanic religions, emerged as alternatives to the Vedic faith. Parivrajaka: means "One who roams around ‘’. The Sanskrit word parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English.

Explanation

The Al lahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by Harishena, highlights Samudragupta’s conquests and administrative capabilities. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Mahapadma Nanda predated the inscription’s composition. There is no connection between Chandragupta Maurya and this inscription. Ashoka built many pillars but did not contribute to this inscription.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Ikshvaku dynasty ruled Andhra Pradesh during the 3rd-4th century CE. The Ikshvakus primarily followed Brahmanical traditions but were not hostile to Buddhism. Their reign saw the coexistence of multiple religious traditions. Many Buddhist stupas and viharas were constructed during their rule, particularly in Nagarjunakonda.

Statement 2 is correct: The Pala dynasty (8th-12th century CE) ruled over Bengal and Bihar and was known for its strong patronage of Mahayana Buddhism. They played a significant role in establishing major Buddhist centers such as Vikramashila, Nalanda, and Somapura Mahavihara. Rulers like Dharmapala and Devapala actively promoted Buddhism, not only within India but also in regions like Tibet.

Explanation

Takshasila (Taxila) was a vital ancient city located between the Indus and Jhelum rivers, functioning as a prominent educational and cultural center. It was renowned for its university, attracting scholars like Chanakya and Panini, and played a key role in Indian history.

Explanation

Milinda’s period is separated by centuries with other given personalities. Bimbisara (approx. 558-491 BCE) was the ruler of Magadha and a contemporary of Gautama Buddha (c. 563-483 BCE). Prasenjit (6th century BCE) was the king of Kosala and also lived during the time of Buddha. Milinda (Greek king Menander I) ruled much later, in the 2nd century BCE. He was not a contemporary of the other three, making him the correct answer.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The Harappan civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) is known for red and black pottery, not Painted Grey Ware (PGW), which is associated with the later Vedic period (1200-600 BCE).

Option (b) is correct: The Kushans (1st-4th century AD) patronized the Gandhara School of Art, which blended Greek, Roman, and Indian artistic styles, primarily in Buddhist sculptures.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Ajanta Paintings belong to the Gupta period (5th-6th century CE), long before the Mughals (16th-18th century CE). The Mughals are known for miniature paintings rather than Ajanta murals.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Pahari School of Painting developed in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu during the Rajput period, not under the Marathas (17th-18th century CE), who were more associated with Deccan-style paintings.