The History of the Gupta Period: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on The History of the Gupta Period (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 1995Ancient History · The History of the Gupta Period
Q1. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras speak:
Explanation
During the Gupta Period (4th to 6th century CE), Sanskrit was typically reserved for higher-class characters such as kings, scholars, and Brahmins, while Prakrit was used for women and lower-class characters to enhance authenticity and social realism. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
The Prakrit languages included regional variations. A notable Prakrit used during this period was Sauraseni Prakrit (Option d), which was prominent in the western regions of India like Gujarat and Rajasthan. This further underscores the linguistic diversity within ancient Indian society. Pali was not typically used in Sanskrit plays of the Gupta Period. Although Pali is closely related to Prakrit, it was primarily the language of Buddhist scriptures and teachings and was used by Buddhist scholars and monks to promote Buddhist doctrine. Thus, Pali did not hold the same role as Prakrit in dramatic literature of the time.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1995
(b) Prakrit
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on The History of the Gupta Period?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on The History of the Gupta Period (Ancient History), asked from 1995 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 The History of the Gupta Period?
Questions on The History of the Gupta Period (Ancient History) are available for 8 years, from 1995 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
