This page lists 5 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Ancient History in the UPSC 2021 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–5 of 5 questions
UPSC 2021Ancient History · Construction of Ancient History
Q1. Consider the following pairs: Historical place Well known for 1. Burzahom Rock cut shrines 2. Chandraketugarh Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
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.
UPSC 2021Ancient History · Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley)
Q2. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
Explanation
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.
Additional insight:
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.
UPSC 2021Ancient History · The History of the Gupta Period
Q3. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? 1. The Guptas of Magadha 2. The Paramaras of Malwa 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
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.
Exam tip:
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.
UPSC 2021Ancient History · Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times
Q4. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous:
Explanation
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.
UPSC 2021Ancient History · Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times
Q5. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes. 2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property. 3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
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.
Exam tip:
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.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(d) 2 and 3
2
2021
(a) Dholavira
3
2021
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
4
2021
(b) Playwrights
5
2021
(b) 2 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Ancient History?
This page covers 5 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Ancient History in the UPSC 2021 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 2021 Prelims are available for 22 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
