Q341. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the members of the Adhishthana Adhikarana (city administration board) in the Gupta period:
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.
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Q342. Consider the following ancient Indian astronomers and mathematicians:
I. Brahmagupta
II. Aryabhata
III. Varahamihira
IV. Bhaskaracharya
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their flourishing period?
I. Brahmagupta
II. Aryabhata
III. Varahamihira
IV. Bhaskaracharya
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their flourishing period?
Explanation
Ancient India saw a sequence of brilliant mathematicians. Aryabhata flourished in the late fifth century, followed by Varahamihira in the sixth century. Brahmagupta made his contributions in the seventh century, particularly in the field of algebra and gravity. Much later, in the twelfth century, Bhaskaracharya authored the Lilavati. This progression illustrates the continuous and evolving tradition of scientific inquiry in India.
Q343. Which of the following terms is the odd one out in the context of the Gupta land revenue administration?
Explanation
In the context of Gupta administration, Udranga and Uparikara were types of taxes, and Hiranya referred to tax paid in cash. These were all related to the revenue system. In contrast, the Sandhivigrahika was a high-ranking official title, specifically the minister in charge of peace and war. This office dealt with foreign policy and diplomacy rather than financial management.
Q344. Consider the following statements regarding the Sarnath image of the Buddha belonging to the Gupta period:
I. It depicts the Buddha in the Dharmachakrapravartana mudra.
II. It is characterized by heavy, prominent drapery with distinct folds covering the shoulders.
III. The halo around the Buddha’s head is profusely decorated with floral motifs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It depicts the Buddha in the Dharmachakrapravartana mudra.
II. It is characterized by heavy, prominent drapery with distinct folds covering the shoulders.
III. The halo around the Buddha’s head is profusely decorated with floral motifs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sarnath Buddha from the Gupta period is a masterpiece showing the Buddha in the Dharmachakrapravartana mudra, representing the first sermon. It is characterized by smooth, transparent drapery without folds, contrasting with earlier Gandhara styles. The halo behind the head is intricately carved with beautiful floral patterns, reflecting the artistic refinement and spiritual serenity associated with the Sarnath school of art.
Q345. The shift of importance from Pataliputra to Kannauj during the Post-Gupta period was primarily a result of:
Explanation
During the post-Gupta period, the political center of gravity shifted from Pataliputra to Kannauj. This change occurred because Kannauj occupied a more strategic position in the fertile Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Control over this region allowed rulers to dominate internal trade routes and better manage defenses against potential invasions from the northwest, making it the premier prize for competing regional dynasties like the Pratiharas.
Q346. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding Banabhatta’s Harshacharita?
Explanation
Harshacharita, written by the court poet Banabhatta, is a landmark in Sanskrit literature as the first formal historical biography. It provides a vivid, though idealized, account of Harshavardhana’s ancestry and his rise to power. The text offers valuable insights into the social, religious, and political life of the seventh century, depicting Harsha’s struggles to secure his family’s honor and his kingdom.
Q347. Match List-I (Term from Xuanzang’s account) with List-II (Meaning) regarding social and economic conditions in the 7th century:
Which of the following matches is correct?
| Term from Xuanzang’s account | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A. Shudras | i. Agriculturists |
| B. Chandalas | ii. Wealthy merchants |
| C. Kautumba | iii. Outcastes living outside towns |
| D. Sreshthi | iv. Household/family unit |
Explanation
Xuanzang’s detailed accounts categorize the various social and economic groups of the seventh century. He identified Shudras primarily as agriculturists and described Chandalas as outcastes forced to live outside the towns. The Kautumba referred to the basic household or family unit, while the Sreshthi denoted the wealthy merchant class. These observations highlight the increasing rigidity and complexity of the contemporary Indian social structure.
Q348. Which of the following plays is historically attributed to Harshavardhana himself?
Explanation
Harshavardhana was not only a great warrior and administrator but also a distinguished scholar and patron of the arts. He is traditionally credited with authoring three famous Sanskrit plays: Ratnavali, Priyadarsika, and Nagananda. These works demonstrate his literary proficiency and interest in Buddhist themes and courtly romance, setting him apart as a rare example of a "poet-king" in ancient Indian history.
Q349. Consider the following statements regarding the decline of Harsha’s empire:
I. Harsha died without leaving a recognized heir, leading to immediate political instability.
II. Arjuna, a local minister, attempted to usurp the throne of Kannauj shortly after Harsha’s death.
III. The Chinese envoy Wang-hiuen-tse led a military force with Tibetan help against the usurper in Kannauj.
IV. Following Harsha’s death, the Chalukyas successfully invaded and permanently occupied Magadha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Harsha died without leaving a recognized heir, leading to immediate political instability.
II. Arjuna, a local minister, attempted to usurp the throne of Kannauj shortly after Harsha’s death.
III. The Chinese envoy Wang-hiuen-tse led a military force with Tibetan help against the usurper in Kannauj.
IV. Following Harsha’s death, the Chalukyas successfully invaded and permanently occupied Magadha.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Following Harsha’s death without an heir, the empire fell into chaos. A minister named Arjuna usurped power in Kannauj and mistreated a Chinese diplomatic mission. In response, the envoy Wang-hiuen-tse returned with a combined force of Tibetan and Nepalese soldiers to defeat the usurper. This episode highlights the immediate political instability and the involvement of foreign powers in northern Indian affairs after Harsha.
Q350. Which of the following statements about the political fragmentation after Harsha is not true?
Explanation
After Harsha’s reign, North India fragmented into several regional powers, leading to the Tripartite Struggle. While the Gurjara-Pratiharas became dominant, the Maukharis did not merge into the Chalukya state. The Maukhari line essentially ended with Grahavarman, and their kingdom was absorbed into Harsha’s empire earlier. The subsequent era was marked by the rise of various Rajput clans and the deepening of feudalism.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 341 | (c) Sarthavaha - Chief representative of the artisan guilds |
| 342 | (a) II, III, I, IV |
| 343 | (d) Sandhivigrahika |
| 344 | (c) I and III only |
| 345 | (c) The rising importance of control over the Doab trade routes and defense against northwestern invasions |
| 346 | (a) The first historical Sanskrit biography documenting Harsha’s life and rise. |
| 347 | (d) A-i, B-iii, C-iv, D-ii |
| 348 | (b) Nagananda |
| 349 | (a) I, II and III |
| 350 | (d) The Maukharis completely disappeared as a political force and merged into the Chalukya state. |
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.