The History of the Gupta Period: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions 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.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2020Ancient History · The History of the Gupta Period
Q1. With reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denote
Explanation
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.
UPSC 2020Ancient History · The History of the Gupta Period
Q2. With reference to the period of the Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as:
Explanation
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.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2020
(a) Measurement of land
2
2020
(a) Ports handling foreign trade
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on The History of the Gupta Period?
This page covers 2 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.
