This page lists 2 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Ancient History in the UPSC 2013 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2013Ancient History · Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley)
Q1. Which of the following characterise/characterize the people of the Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshiped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below
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.
Exam tip:
If such massive religious or royal structures had existed, wouldn’t they be one of the most highlighted discoveries? Isn’t the Harappan strength known for its urban planning, drainage, and granaries, not religious or royal architecture? Yes! Hence S1 likely false. For S2, even without names or scriptures, symbolic worship of both genders = high probability. isn’t the presence of both gender symbols a fair inference? Yes!, Hence likely true.
UPSC 2013Ancient History · Harshavardhan & the Southern Dynasties
Q2. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery. 2. As regards punishment for offenses, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person. 3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
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.
Exam tip:
For S1, "Completely immune" = extreme phrase. Red flag. In any large kingdom, especially ancient ones, some degree of theft/robbery is natural. Saying zero crime is utopian. Even in modern states with strong policing, no place is "completely immune." Hence likely false.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2013
(b) 2 only
2
2013
(b) 2 and 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Ancient History?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Ancient History in the UPSC 2013 Prelims, asked between 1995 to 2024. 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 Ancient History?
Questions on Ancient History in the UPSC 2013 Prelims are available for 22 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
