68th BPSC Prelims 2023
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 5 solved 68th BPSC Prelims 2023 Ancient History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
The temple of Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near Allahabad are the important remains of the
Detailed Explanation:
The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh) and sculptures at Garhwa near Allahabad are classic examples of Gupta art (5th-6th century CE).
The Deogarh temple showcases early Nagara-style architecture with iconic relief panels depicting Anantashayana Vishnu, Gajendramoksha, and Nara-Narayana, representing the pinnacle of Gupta sculptural tradition.
According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit, composed around second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir, was repaired by
Detailed Explanation:
Sudarshan Lake was an artificial reservoir built during the Mauryan period near Girnar, Gujarat.
Rudradaman I (130–150 CE), the Saka (Western Kshatrapa) ruler, repaired the lake around 150 CE after it was damaged by floods. This is recorded in the famous Junagadh Rock Inscription (also called Girnar Inscription) in chaste Sanskrit prose, one of the earliest major Sanskrit inscriptions.
The lake was originally constructed by Pushyagupta, a provincial governor under Chandragupta Maurya, and later renovated by Tushaspha under Ashoka. Rudradaman's inscription is particularly significant as it demonstrates the use of classical Sanskrit in official records during the second century CE.
When did the use of iron begin in Indian subcontinent?
Detailed Explanation:
Iron Age in the Indian subcontinent began around 1800–1200 BCE (approximately 3,000–3,800 years ago). Earliest evidence comes from sites like Atranjikhera (Uttar Pradesh) and Hallur (Karnataka).
Options suggest 9000, 12000, or 6000 years ago—all significantly overstated timelines that do not match archaeological evidence of iron smelting in India.
Therefore, none of the given options are correct, making Option 5 the correct answer.
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In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was known as
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Correct Answer: None of the above
The area to the south of the Ganga in ancient times was known as Magadha (modern-day Bihar and parts of Jharkhand). Anarta was located in Gujarat (Saurashtra region), Takshashila was in the northwest (modern-day Pakistan), and Chola was in the far south (Tamil Nadu region). None of these kingdoms/regions were specifically identified as the area immediately south of the Ganga.
The Vikramshila University was established by
Detailed Explanation:
Vikramshila University was established by Dharmapala (ruled 770–810 CE), the second ruler of the Pala dynasty of Bengal.
Gopala founded the Pala dynasty, Devapala was Dharmapala's son who expanded the empire, but Vikramshila was specifically a creation of Dharmapala, making it one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning along with Nalanda.
68th BPSC Prelims 2023 - Ancient History Chapter-wise Distribution
Post-Gupta Period
2 Qs (40%)Gupta Empire
1 Qs (20%)Indus Valley Civilization
1 Qs (20%)Prehistoric Period
1 Qs (20%)68th BPSC Prelims 2023 - Ancient History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Ancient History questions were asked in 68th BPSC Prelims 2023?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Ancient History in 68th BPSC Prelims 2023?
- Post-Gupta Period: 2 questions (40%)
- Gupta Empire: 1 questions (20%)
- Indus Valley Civilization: 1 questions (20%)
- Prehistoric Period: 1 questions (20%)