82 previous year UPSC Prelims Ancient History questions are on this page, from 1995 to 2025, in 7 chapters. Mauryan history and ancient art, literature and culture are the largest chapters; the Harappan, Vedic, Gupta and southern-dynasty chapters add a handful each. Filter by chapter or year, then open any option for the correct answer and the full explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–20 of 82 questions
Vatakkiruttal, also known as Vadakiruthal or Vadakiruttal, was particularly prevalent during the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 2nd Century CE). Tamil Kings, in a bid to uphold their honor and prestige, were willing to face death by fasting, a practice known as "Vatakkiruttal."
Hoysala Dynasty: Originating from the Indian subcontinent, the Hoysala Empire held sway over a significant portion of present-day Karnataka from the 10th to the 14th centuries. While the Hoysalas initially established their capital at Belur, it was later relocated to Halebidu. Gahadavala Dynasty: Following the dissolution of the Pratihara empire, several Rajput states emerged in northern India. Among these, the Gahadavalas of Kanauj (12th to 13th century), the Paramaras of Malwa, and the Chauhans of Ajmer were the most prominent. Kakatiya Dynasty: The Kakatiya dynasty ruled the region comprising present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during the 12th and 14th centuries. Their capital was Warangal in Telangana. The distinct style of Kakatiya-era architecture is seen in the Thousand Pillar Temple and Ramappa Temple near Warangal. Yadava Dynasty: The Yadava dynasty ruled in the 12th-14th -century and comprised the Hindu kingdom of central India in what is now the Indian state of Maharashtra. Originally a feudatory of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, the dynasty became paramount in the Deccan under Bhillama (c. 1187-91), who founded Devagiri (later Daulatabad) as his capital.
In the early 8th century AD, several important dynasties emerged in different parts of India, shaping regional politics and culture. Some of the key dynasties are:
Dynasty Founded (Approx.) Founder Region Rashtrakuta c. 735 AD Dantidurga Deccan (Maharashtra, Karnataka) Overthrew Chalukyas, built Kailasanatha Temple (Ellora), promoted literature and trade Pala c. 750 AD Gopala Bengal & Bihar Patrons of Buddhism, established Vikramashila & Nalanda Universities, expanded empire Pratihara c. 725 AD Nagabhata I Western & Central India Resisted Arab invasions, ruled from Kannauj, part of the tripartite struggle Arab Rule in Sindh c. 711 AD Muhammad bin Qasim Sindh (modern Pakistan) First Muslim rule in India, introduced Islamic governance
| Historical place | Well known for |
|---|---|
| 1. Burzahom | Rock cut shrines |
| 2. Chandraketugarh | Terracotta art |
| 3. Ganeshwar | Copper artefacts |
India’s historical sites highlight diverse peculiarities as Bhimbetka’s prehistoric rock art, Nalanda’s ancient university, Sanchi’s stupas, Dholavira’s urban planning, Pattadakal’s Chalukyan temples, and Khajuraho’s erotic sculptures, reflecting the subcontinent’s rich contributions to art, architecture, and education across areas.
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Burzahom (Kashmir) had a well-developed bone tool industry. Other finds at Burzahom include pits and coarse pottery. Rock-cut shrines were not a feature of the Burzahom site.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Chandraketugarh is located in the Ganges delta in West Bengal. It is known for its rich collection of terracotta plaques and figurines that date back to the pre-Mauryan and Gupta periods.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ganeshwar is located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan. Hundreds of copper artifacts have been found at this site which suggests it must have been a copper working center.
Indus Valley Civilization featured advanced town planning with well-laid-out streets, drainage systems, and standardized brick construction. Notable examples include the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, with its grid-like streets and Great Bath, and Harappa, known for its drainage systems and carefully planned residential areas.
Option (a) is correct: Discovered in 1968 by Jagat Pati Joshi, Dholavira is one of the best-preserved Indus Valley sites, with a unique water management system using reservoirs and dams. Located between the Manhar and Mandsar streams, it was likely accessible by boat when the Rann’s water levels were higher.
Indus Valley Site Dholavira Known for an advanced water management system with reservoirs and dams; features a unique three-part city layout. Lothal Important dockyard and maritime trade center; evidence of early shipbuilding and bead-making industries. Mohenjo-Daro Features the Great Bath, well-planned streets, and advanced drainage system; one of the largest IVC cities. Harappa Major urban center with granaries, distinct town planning, and evidence of early writing. Rakhigarhi Largest known Indus Valley Civilization site, with extensive evidence of urban settlement and burial practices. Chanhudaro Famous for craft production, including bead-making, shellwork, and metalwork; lacks fortifications. Kalibangan Known for fire altars, suggesting ritualistic practices, and evidence of the earliest plowed fields. Banawali Oval-shaped settlement with both Harappan and pre-Harappan features; evidence of barley cultivation.
Post-Gupta India saw the rise of regional kingdoms and fragmented political power. This period marked a decline in centralized rule, leading to a more decentralized political landscape.
Option (b) is correct: Due to Hun invasions, the Gupta kingdom was weakened in its power and several independent kingdoms arose in north India such as Yashodharman of Malwa, the Maukharis of Kanauj, the Maitrakas in Saurashtra and others. Pushyabhuti of Thanesar (Haryana) also carved an independent state around that time. After the coming of Tomars of Delhi in the 8th century, later by the 11-12th century, long after the decline of Gupta’s, Chauhans of Rajasthan, Solankis of Gujarat, Parmars of Malwa, and Chandels of Bundelkhand started ruling north India. It is only during the 14th CE, the Yadavas of Devagiri (Maharashtra) became an important ruling dynasty of Deccan.
For S1, If question itself says "decline of Guptas until rise of Harshavardhana" it implies some form of Guptas still existed in parts. Hence likely true. For S3, Harsha himself belonged to Pushybhuti dynasty, so by definition, they rose just before and into his reign, hence it is also true. Only Option B aligns with both above.
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.
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.
For S1, "upper vs. lower" caste framing is too simplistic and rigid for real-life legal systems. Hence more likely false. For S3, Legal systems evolve gradually; it’s unlikely one completely excludes females while the other includes them fully. Statement makes sharp and total claim hence more likely false.
Ashoka’s religious philosophy evolved from a belief in traditional Hindu practices to the adoption of Buddhism, emphasizing non-violence (ahimsa), compassion, and moral conduct. His Edicts reflect his commitment to dharma, promoting tolerance, welfare, and ethical governance. In Major Rock Edicts 7 and 12, Ashoka explicitly advocates for religious tolerance and the coexistence of all religions. He emphasized that all ascetics (spiritual teachers) should be honored, irrespective of their faith, and that people should respect each other’s beliefs. These edicts reflect Ashoka’s commitment to dhamma (righteousness), which promoted peaceful co-existence.
During the Gupta period, different land measures were known in different regions such as Nivartana, Kulyavapa, and Dronavapa. These units of measurement, including Kulyavapa and Dronavapa, are mentioned in inscriptions from Bengal, as well as in texts like the Arthashastra and other regional inscriptions of the Gupta period. The term ‘’vap" means ‘’to sow". Kulyavapa means the area required to sow one kulya of grain and the Dronavyapa was the area required to sow one drona of grain. One kulya is equal to eight drona.
During the Gupta period, maritime trade flourished, with ports like Surat, Chaul, and Tamralipti facilitating trade with regions such as Southeast Asia, Persia, and the Roman Empire. The Gupta Empire’s thriving seafaring commerce included goods like spices, textiles, and precious stones.
Option (a) is correct:
Ghantasala: Located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, it was a port town during the Gupta period. It was known for its proximity to the sea and played a role in maritime trade, particularly with Southeast Asia. Kadura: identified with a modern day coastal town in Karnataka, is believed to have been a key coastal town with commercial and trade significance. Chaul: located on the west coast of India in present-day Maharashtra, was a prominent port town during the Gupta period. It was an active center for foreign trade, particularly with Persia and Arabia.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2023 | (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death |
| 12 | 2023 | (d) None of these |
| 13 | 2021 | (d) 2 and 3 |
| 14 | 2021 | (a) Dholavira |
| 15 | 2021 | (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 |
| 16 | 2021 | (b) Playwrights |
| 17 | 2021 | (b) 2 only |
| 18 | 2020 | (a) Ashoka |
| 19 | 2020 | (a) Measurement of land |
| 20 | 2020 | (a) Ports handling foreign trade |
This page covers 82 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Ancient History, asked from 1995 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
History of Mauryan Age and Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times have the most, each with 18 questions in this set. The Harappan Civilization and Vedic Period chapters are the smallest, with fewer than ten each.
Use the Chapter filter on this page, or open a chapter link such as Harappan Civilization or Gupta Period. Each chapter page lists its questions, the key facts UPSC has tested there, and an answer key.
Yes. The 2025 paper’s Ancient History questions, on Ashokan officers, Mahendravarman I, Rajendra Chola’s Srivijaya expedition, Fa-hien, the Dancing Girl figurine and the Mahajanapadas, are filed under their chapters.
