Q301. The Gandhara School of Art is best defined as an art style that:
Ancient Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
615 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on ancient Indian history are on this page, in 8 chapters. They begin with the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Vedic Age, move through Buddhism, Jainism, the Mauryas and Guptas, and then cover the Chalukyas, Pallavas and Cholas, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system. Every question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 301–310 of 615 questions
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Q302. Identify the odd one out concerning the characteristics of the Mathura School of Art during the Kushana period.
Explanation
The Mathura School of Art was an indigenous tradition that primarily used local spotted red sandstone. It was remarkably inclusive, producing secular portraits alongside religious icons for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Unlike the Gandhara school, which drew heavily from Greco-Roman realism, the Mathura style focused on robust, fleshy, and spiritually vibrant figures. Its aesthetic was rooted in earlier Indian traditions, emphasizing symbolic representation rather than anatomical realism.
Q303. Match List-I (School of Art) with List-II (Distinctive Material/Feature).
| School of Art | Distinctive Material/Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Gandhara School | i. Spotted red sandstone |
| B. Mathura School | ii. White marble and dynamic narrative panels |
| C. Amaravati School | iii. Bluish-grey schist and stucco |
Explanation
Different regional schools of art during the Kushana and Satavahana periods used distinct materials. The Gandhara school is known for using bluish-grey schist stone and stucco. The Mathura school predominantly utilized the locally available spotted red sandstone for its sculptures. The Amaravati school, located in the Krishna valley, is famous for its intricate narrative relief panels carved in white marble, depicting various Jataka stories with great detail.
Q304. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the early representations of the Buddha.
Explanation
In early Buddhist art like the Sunga period, the Buddha was represented only through symbols such as the Bodhi tree. However, during the Kushana era, both the Gandhara and Mathura schools began depicting the Buddha in human form. The Amaravati school was transitional; while early phases used aniconic symbols, later phases also adopted the anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha, often depicting him in dynamic relief panels.
Q305. Consider the following statements about art under the Kushanas:
I. For the first time, Buddha was depicted in human form in both Gandhara and Mathura schools.
II. The Mathura school entirely excluded the production of Brahmanical deities.
III. The Gandhara school primarily focused on themes drawn from the life of Buddha and Jataka stories.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. For the first time, Buddha was depicted in human form in both Gandhara and Mathura schools.
II. The Mathura school entirely excluded the production of Brahmanical deities.
III. The Gandhara school primarily focused on themes drawn from the life of Buddha and Jataka stories.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Kushana period was revolutionary for Indian art as it introduced the human representation of the Buddha in both the Gandhara and Mathura schools. The Gandhara school specialized in Buddhist themes, extensively illustrating Jataka tales and the Buddha’s biography. While the Mathura school was a major center for Buddhist art, it was certainly not exclusive; it also produced some of the earliest known human images of Brahmanical deities.
Q306. Who among the following is traditionally considered the founder of the Satavahana dynasty?
Explanation
Simuka is traditionally recognized as the historical founder of the Satavahana dynasty, which rose to power in the Deccan after the decline of the Mauryan and Kanva empires. He is believed to have established his rule around the late first century BCE or early first century CE. His reign initiated a long period of Satavahana dominance that would eventually encompass vast territories spanning across Central India.
Q307. Consider the following statements regarding the Satavahana rulers:
Statement I: The Satavahanas frequently used matronymics (names derived from their mothers) for their kings.
Statement II: The succession to the Satavahana throne was strictly matrilineal, passing to the king’s sister’s son.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The Satavahanas frequently used matronymics (names derived from their mothers) for their kings.
Statement II: The succession to the Satavahana throne was strictly matrilineal, passing to the king’s sister’s son.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Satavahana kings frequently used matronymics, such as Gautamiputra and Vashishtiputra, which highlight the high social status of women in their royal family. However, this practice did not imply a matrilineal system of succession. The throne actually passed from father to son in a patrilineal manner. The inclusion of the mother’s name was likely a way to emphasize the purity of the king’s lineage and his religious status.
Q308. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Satavahanas were orthodox Brahmanas who performed Vedic sacrifices.
Reason (R): They actively persecuted Buddhist monks and destroyed rock-cut Chaityas in the Western Ghats.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Satavahanas were orthodox Brahmanas who performed Vedic sacrifices.
Reason (R): They actively persecuted Buddhist monks and destroyed rock-cut Chaityas in the Western Ghats.
Explanation
The Satavahana rulers were orthodox Brahmanas who performed Vedic sacrifices like the Ashvamedha and Rajasuya to legitimize their imperial status. Despite their personal Brahmanical faith, they were not persecutors of Buddhism. On the contrary, they practiced a policy of religious tolerance and provided significant land grants and financial support for the construction and maintenance of Buddhist rock-cut chaityas and viharas in the Western Ghats.
Q309. Which of the following statements about Gautamiputra Satakarni is correct?
Explanation
Gautamiputra Satakarni is considered the greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. He is famous for defeating the Western Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana, which is confirmed by the discovery of a large hoard of Nahapana’s coins restruck by Gautamiputra. This victory restored the political prestige and territorial integrity of the Satavahanas after a period of decline. He also took pride in his titles like "Ekabrahmana.
Q310. Consider the following statements regarding the Satavahana period:
I. The Nanaghat inscription provides details about the achievements of Satakarni I.
II. The Nasik prashasti was composed by Gautami Balashri.
III. They issued a large number of coins made of lead and potin.
IV. They completely dismantled the Mauryan administrative division of Aharas.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. The Nanaghat inscription provides details about the achievements of Satakarni I.
II. The Nasik prashasti was composed by Gautami Balashri.
III. They issued a large number of coins made of lead and potin.
IV. They completely dismantled the Mauryan administrative division of Aharas.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Nanaghat inscription highlights the achievements of Satakarni I, while the Nasik prashasti, composed by Gautami Balashri, records the exploits of her son, Gautamiputra Satakarni. The Satavahanas are also noted for their unique coinage made from lead, copper, and potin. Administratively, they did not dismantle Mauryan systems; instead, they continued the use of administrative divisions like Aharas, showing continuity in the governance of Deccan.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 301 | (c) Combined Buddhist themes with Greco- Roman stylistic features. |
| 302 | (d) Deeply influenced by Hellenistic physical realism |
| 303 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii |
| 304 | (b) Amaravati Art: Buddha strictly shown in aniconic forms throughout. |
| 305 | (c) I and III only |
| 306 | (a) Simuka |
| 307 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 308 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 309 | (c) He defeated the Saka ruler Nahapana and restored Satavahana prestige. |
| 310 | (a) I, II, and III only |
Key facts from Ancient Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus lists the Indus and Vedic ages, the religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the Maurya, Kushan, Satavahana, Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and Chola dynasties, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge system.
- Questions on sites and rulers usually ask for one distinguishing fact: the northernmost Harappan site, the first Gupta Maharajadhiraja, the builder of the Shore Temple.
- Statement and match-the-list formats are common, so learn each ruler or site with its period, region and monument.
- Art and science questions link a monument or text to its dynasty, for example Amaravati with the Satavahanas and the Khandakhadyaka with Brahmagupta.
- The Indian knowledge and value system chapter covers varna, ashrama, purushartha, samskaras and the six schools of philosophy.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Ancient Indian History?
This page has 615 practice MCQs on Ancient Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the ancient Indian history set cover?
Eight chapters: the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Vedic Age, the religious movements of the 6th century BC, the Maurya and post-Maurya dynasties, the Gupta Empire, South Indian dynasties, art, architecture and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system.
Is ancient history part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC lists Indian History under General Knowledge and General Science, and the ancient and medieval part names the Indus and Vedic ages, religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the major dynasties and ancient art and science.
How should I revise ancient history for RAS Prelims?
Work chapter by chapter. Attempt each question first, read the explanation, and write the key fact in a table of rulers, sites, texts and monuments. Revisit the weak chapters after a few days, since the facts are easy to confuse.