Q481. The ancient stupa at Bharhut is primarily renowned for which of the following artistic features?
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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Q482. Read the following statements regarding the Sanchi Stupa:
I. The original brick core of the Great Stupa was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka.
II. The elaborately carved stone gateways (toranas) were added during the Gupta period.
III. It contains the bodily relics of the Buddha and his prominent disciples.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The original brick core of the Great Stupa was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka.
II. The elaborately carved stone gateways (toranas) were added during the Gupta period.
III. It contains the bodily relics of the Buddha and his prominent disciples.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sanchi Stupa remains a premier example of Buddhist architecture. While Emperor Ashoka commissioned the original brick core, the elaborate stone gateways known as toranas were actually added later during the Sunga and Satavahana periods, not the Gupta era. The site is revered for containing sacred bodily relics of the Buddha and his most prominent spiritual disciples.
Q483. Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of the Gandhara School of Art?
Explanation
The Gandhara school is famous for its anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha, depicting him in human form with realistic features. This style shifted away from earlier traditions where the Buddha was represented only through symbols. It is characterized by Greco-Roman influences, including realistic muscular details, thick drapery folds, and the use of bluish-grey schist and stucco.
Q484. Identify the odd one out among the following sculptural traditions based on their primary geographic and stylistic origins in ancient India.
Explanation
Within the context of ancient Indian cultural development, the Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati traditions are classified as major schools of sculptural art that flourished during specific historical periods. In contrast, the Vesara tradition refers to a specific style of temple architecture that emerged later in the Deccan region, rather than a primary school of independent sculptural production.
Q485. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option.
Assertion (A): The Gandhara school of art is frequently referred to as Greco-Buddhist art.
Reason (R): It seamlessly combined Indian Buddhist themes with Hellenistic and Roman aesthetic techniques.
Assertion (A): The Gandhara school of art is frequently referred to as Greco-Buddhist art.
Reason (R): It seamlessly combined Indian Buddhist themes with Hellenistic and Roman aesthetic techniques.
Explanation
The Gandhara school of art is widely recognized as Greco-Buddhist art due to its unique aesthetic fusion. It emerged in the northwestern frontier, where local Buddhist themes were expressed using Hellenistic and Roman artistic techniques. The realistic treatment of the human body and the specific style of drapery reflect the seamless combination of these two diverse cultural traditions.
Q486. Read the following statements regarding the mural paintings of Ajanta:
Statement I: The paintings were executed using the true fresco technique where pigments are applied to wet plaster.
Statement II: The principal themes of these paintings are the Jataka stories and the life of Gautama Buddha.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The paintings were executed using the true fresco technique where pigments are applied to wet plaster.
Statement II: The principal themes of these paintings are the Jataka stories and the life of Gautama Buddha.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The mural paintings found at Ajanta are primarily dedicated to depicting the Jataka stories and various stages of the Buddha’s life. However, technical analysis shows they were not executed using true fresco techniques on wet plaster. Instead, artists employed the tempera method, where pigments were applied to a prepared layer of dry mud and lime plaster.
Q487. Read the following statements regarding ancient Indian mathematics:
I. Aryabhata authored the foundational text Aryabhatiya.
II. Aryabhata calculated the approximate value of pi to four decimal places.
III. The Bakhshali manuscript contains early evidence of the use of zero as a placeholder.
IV. Brahmagupta was the first to give rules for computing with zero.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Aryabhata authored the foundational text Aryabhatiya.
II. Aryabhata calculated the approximate value of pi to four decimal places.
III. The Bakhshali manuscript contains early evidence of the use of zero as a placeholder.
IV. Brahmagupta was the first to give rules for computing with zero.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Ancient Indian mathematics achieved remarkable milestones that are accurately reflected in historical records. Aryabhata provided a precise value for pi and founded an influential school of mathematical thought through his treatise. Historical evidence from the Bakhshali manuscript and the rules formulated by Brahmagupta regarding calculations with zero confirm the advanced state of numeric systems and algebraic operations.
Q488. Which of the following pairs of ancient Indian medical texts and their primary focus is correctly matched?
Explanation
Ancient Indian medical literature is categorized by specific specialized focuses. The Madhava Nidana is a celebrated text specifically dedicated to the diagnosis of diseases. In contrast, the Charaka Samhita focuses on internal medicine, the Sushruta Samhita deals primarily with surgery, and other texts like the Hastyayurveda or Shalihotra Samhita address the medical care of elephants and horses.
Q489. The metallurgical prowess of ancient India is best exemplified by the Iron Pillar of Delhi. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for its remarkable rust resistance?
Explanation
The Iron Pillar of Delhi is a masterpiece of ancient metallurgy, remaining virtually rust-free for over sixteen centuries. This remarkable resistance is attributed to the high phosphorus content in the iron and the specific forging techniques used. These factors facilitated the formation of a thin, protective passive layer of crystalline iron hydrogen phosphate hydrate, known as misawite.
Q490. Match the items in List I with the items in List II to identify the correct educational associations.
| Ancient Educational Institutions | Patron Dynasties or Key Figures |
|---|---|
| A. Nalanda | i. Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty |
| B. Vikramshila | ii. Maitraka Dynasty |
| C. Takshashila | iii. Kumaragupta I of the Gupta Dynasty |
| D. Vallabhi | iv. Chanakya (associated as a renowned teacher) |
Explanation
Ancient Indian educational centers were supported by various royal patrons and legendary figures. Nalanda was founded under the Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I, while Vikramshila was established by Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty. Takshashila is famously associated with the teacher Chanakya, and Vallabhi became a major center for Hinayana studies under the patronage of the Maitraka dynasty.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 481 | (d) Detailed narrative bas-reliefs depicting Jataka tales and Buddha’s life. |
| 482 | (c) I and III only |
| 483 | (b) Depiction of Buddha solely through symbolic forms like footprints. |
| 484 | (d) Vesara School |
| 485 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 486 | (b) Statement II is correct and Statement I is incorrect. |
| 487 | (d) None of the statements is incorrect |
| 488 | (d) Madhava Nidana - Diagnosis of diseases |
| 489 | (b) The formation of a protective passive film of misawite. |
| 490 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
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.