Ancient History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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

Sohgaura is located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Rapti River. The Sohgaura copper plate inscription, dating to the Mauryan period (possibly pre-Ashokan), was found here. The Sohgaura inscription belongs to the Mauryan era (not the Harappan civilization) and refers to famine relief measures, food grain storage, and granary management. It was written in Prakrit in the Brahmi script. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect: Kot Diji, Desalpur and Chanhudaro are Harappan sites. Kotdiji means "Fort of the Daughter’’ and is located in Khairpur province, Pakistan. Here copper-bronze objects, bangles and arrowheads; etched carnelian and other beads and numerous terracotta human, bull, and bird effigy figurines were found. Desalpur, located in Gujarat, is a key Harappan site known for its well-planned settlement, including fire altars and beads, highlighting its role in trade and craft production. Chanhudaro is located on the bank of the Indus River in Sindh, Pakistan. Bead makers’ shops have been found here.

Explanation

Ashokan edicts and inscriptions, carved on pillars and rocks across the Indian subcontinent, convey Ashoka’s policies of Dhamma, promoting non-violence, religious tolerance, and moral conduct. The Kanaganahalli inscription located in Kanganahalli (in present-day Gulbarga, Karnataka), is a significant discovery. The inscription and relief depict Ashoka in the form of a portrait and a reference to his title, "Ranyo Ashoka," highlighting his role as a ruler.

Explanation

During the Gupta period, forced labor (vishti) became a source of income for the state and was also looked upon as a form of taxation on the subjects. Vishti was forced labor instead of taxes hence no weekly wages were entitled. Anyone from the family can be sent as a forced laborer, not particularly the eldest son of the family.

Explanation

The Indus Valley Civilization was highly materialistic, with advanced urban infrastructure, standardized weights, and extensive trade networks. In contrast, the Rig Vedic Civilization had a more pastoral economy, focusing on cattle wealth and ritualistic offerings rather than large-scale material production or urban development.

Statement 1 is correct: The Rigvedic Aryans are described in the Rigveda as using advanced weapons and armor, including coats of mail and helmets. In contrast, the Indus Valley Civilization shows no evidence of such organized military gear, suggesting a less militaristic society.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver, and copper, while the Indus Valley Civilization used copper and bronze, lacking iron. Iron technology emerged after the decline of the Indus Valley, during the later Vedic period.

Statement 3 is correct: The horse seems to have been unknown to the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Horse remains found at Surkotada, dating to around 2000 BCE, suggest the possibility of horses in the Indus Valley. However, Sándor Bökönyi’s analysis of bone fragments is inconclusive and does not definitively prove that the Indus people knew horses.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Eripatti was a special kind of land donated by individuals. The revenue from it was set aside for the maintenance of tanks in the village.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: During the Chola administration, occasionally a very large village would be administered as a single unit and this was called Taniyur. These villages were not necessarily just large administrative units but could also be village settlements that were either wholly or largely populated by Brahmins or associated with religious functions.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ghatikas were educational institutions, often associated with temples, where learning took place. These colleges were centers for higher education, particularly in subjects like philosophy, logic, and religious studies.

Explanation

The British played a significant role in reconstructing India’s ancient history through archaeological excavations, such as those at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and the translation of ancient texts like the Vedas and Arthashastra. Their efforts helped revive interest in India’s rich cultural and historical heritage, though often through a colonial lens.

Option (b) is correct: James Prinsep, an officer in the East India Company’s mint, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837, unlocking the meaning of Ashoka’s edicts. His discovery revealed the king referred to as Piyadassi ("pleasant to behold"), later identified as Ashoka. This breakthrough was crucial in reconstructing the Mauryan period and understanding Ashoka’s role in Indian history. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Georg Bühler was a German Indologist known for his work on Sanskrit and ancient Indian inscriptions. Max Müller was a German philologist who contributed to the study of the Vedas and Sanskrit literature. William Jones was an Orientalist who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is famous for recognizing the relationship between Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek.

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 Harappan Civilization, discovered in 1921 at Harappa (Pakistan), spanned Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh, predating Chalcolithic cultures and showing greater development.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indus Valley Civilization differed from Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, as it lacked grand palaces and temples ruled by powerful kings or priests. Instead, archaeological evidence suggests that their cities featured well-planned structures, public buildings, and granaries, emphasizing urban planning and administrative efficiency rather than monumental architecture.

Statement 2 is correct: Seals and figurines, such as the Priest-King and various fertility symbols, imply reverence for deities associated with fertility, nature, and possibly mother goddesses, indicating a worship system that involved both male and female divine figures.

Statement 3 is incorrect: No trace of Horses has been found in the Indus Valley. The use of chariots is associated with later cultures, such as the Vedic civilization, and is not a feature of the Indus Civilization.

Explanation

Yuan Chwang, the Chinese traveler, provided a detailed account of India during the 7th century, noting its thriving culture, well-organized society, and vibrant Buddhist institutions. He described India’s cities, roads, and religious life.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Roads and river routes were not completely robbery-free. He described the condition of roads as generally safe, but he also noted that there were occasional dangers and robberies on certain routes. Hiuen-Tsang himself was looted a couple of times.

Statement 2 is correct: Criminal law was very severe. He mentioned that the judicial system in India involved ordeals by fire, water, and poison as a way to determine guilt or innocence.

Statement 3 is correct: Duties were to be paid at trade barriers without fail. It was a source of income for the kingdom.