Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times (Ancient History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
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UPSC 2016Ancient History · Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times
Q1. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of which of the following?
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.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2016
(d) Magadha
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times (Ancient History), asked from 1995 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times?
Questions on Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times (Ancient History) are available for 11 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
