Literature: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Literature (Art and Culture). 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 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 2003Art and Culture · Literature
Q1. Mrichchhakatika an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with:
Explanation
Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart), authored by Shudraka, is a classic Sanskrit drama. It narrates the love story between Charudatta, a virtuous but impoverished Brahmin merchant, and Vasantasena, a wealthy courtesan. This work, set against the backdrop of urban life in ancient India, explores themes of love, morality, social hierarchy, and political intrigue. Unlike epics or courtly literature, Mrichchhakatika focuses on the lives of ordinary people, providing valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of the time. Other Sanskrit plays ascribed to Shudraka are Vinavasavadatta, Bhana (short one-act monologue) and Padmaprabhritaka.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2003
(a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Literature?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Literature (Art and Culture), asked from 1996 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 Literature?
Questions on Literature (Art and Culture) are available for 8 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
