History of Mauryan Age: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on History of Mauryan Age (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.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2003Ancient History · History of Mauryan Age
Q1. Consider the following statements: 1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga. 2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne. 3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Maurya (321 BCE - 185 BCE), Sunga (185 BCE - 73 BCE), and Kanva dynasties (73 BCE - 30 BCE) represent significant eras in ancient Indian history, spanning the rule from centralized imperial administration to regional governance and eventual fragmentation.
Statement 1 is correct: The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga, who then established the Sunga dynasty (185 BCE).
Statement 2 is correct: The last Sunga king, Devabhuti, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva, a Brahmana, who subsequently usurped the throne and founded the Kanva dynasty (73 BCE).
Statement 3 is correct: The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was overthrown by the Andhras (also known as the Satavahanas) around 30 BCE, marking the end of the Kanva dynasty and the establishment of the Satavahana dynasty in central India.
UPSC 2003Ancient History · History of Mauryan Age
Q2. Consider the following statements: 1. Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka 2. Gautama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty 3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Buddhism and Jainism part of the Shramana traditions are two ancient Indian religions that originated around the same time, during the 6th century BCE. They emphasized asceticism, non-violence, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. They offered alternative philosophies to Vedic ritualism, focusing on personal spiritual practices and ethical living.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother, Trishala, was the sister (and not daughter) of Chetaka, a chief of the Lichchhavi clan. The Lichchhavis were known for their democratic and republican system of governance.
Statement 2 is correct: Gautama Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi, was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty. She was married to King Suddhodana of the Shakya clan and was the mother of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha.
Statement 3 is correct: Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, was associated with Benaras (Varanasi), where he was born. According to Jain tradition, he was born into a royal family and preached a doctrine of non-violence, truth, and asceticism. The serpent symbol is associated with him.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2003
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2
2003
(c) 2 and 3
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on History of Mauryan Age?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on History of Mauryan Age (Ancient History), asked from 1997 to 2025. 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 History of Mauryan Age?
Questions on History of Mauryan Age (Ancient History) are available for 10 years, from 1997 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
