BPSC CCE Prelims
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Solved Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for Ancient History in BPSC CCE Prelims in English & Hindi Medium.
Chapter Breakdown: Scroll →
The oldest civilization in the world is
Detailed Explanation:
Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) is the oldest known civilization, emerging around 3100 BCE between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
It is called the "Cradle of Civilization" for developing the first cities, cuneiform writing, and the Code of Hammurabi. Egyptian civilization (~3100 BCE) developed contemporaneously, Indus Valley (~2600 BCE) and Chinese civilization (~1600 BCE) emerged later.
Match List I with List II
| List-I Places in Ancient India | List-II Presently in which State |
| a) Karmasuvarna | 1) Maharashtra |
| b) Pragjyotish | 2) Gujarat |
| c) Gimar | 3) WestBengal |
| d) Pratishthan | 4) Assam |
Detailed Explanation:
Karmasuvarna (a) was the capital of the Gauda kingdom in present-day West Bengal (3).
Pragjyotish (b), ancient capital of the Pragjyotisha kingdom, is located in present-day Assam (4).
Gimar/Girnar (c) is situated near Junagadh in Gujarat (2), famous for Ashoka's Rock Edicts.
Pratishthan/Paithan (d) was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty on the Godavari River in Maharashtra (1).
Correct matching: a-3, b-4, c-2, d-1.
Which one of the following is not related to the Rigvedic period?
Detailed Explanation:
Ghosha, Apala, and Vishvavara were female Rishikas (seers) who composed hymns in the Rigveda, primarily in the 10th Mandala.
Gargi Vachaknavi appears in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (later Vedic period) and is famous for debating Yajnavalkya, not for Rigvedic hymns.
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Match List I with List II
| List-I Event/Place | List-II Connected with Person |
| a) Chola Gangam Lake | 1) Chandragupta Maurya |
| b) Appointmehtof Dhama Mahamata | 2) Harshavardhan |
| c) Assembly at Prayag | 3) Rajendra I |
| d) Sudarshan Lake | 4) Ashoka |
Detailed Explanation:
a) Chola Gangam Lake – Rajendra I (3): Built to commemorate his victorious northern campaign up to the Ganges.
b) Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras – Ashoka (4): Special officers appointed in his 14th Rock Edict to propagate his policy of Dhamma.
c) Assembly at Prayag – Harshavardhan (2): Organized grand religious assemblies (Mahamoksha Parishad) at Prayag every five years for charity and donations.
d) Sudarshan Lake – Chandragupta Maurya (1): Constructed in Girnar, Gujarat during his reign; later repaired by Rudradaman I and Skandagupta.
Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
Detailed Explanation:
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire in 321 BCE by overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty with the guidance of Chanakya.
He established a centralized administration based on the Arthashastra, ruled from Afghanistan to Bengal, later embraced Jainism, and abdicated in favor of his son Bindusara.
Consider the following dynasties of Ancient India:
- Shunga
- Maurya
- Kushana
- Kanva
Which of the following is the correct chronological order of their rule?
Detailed Explanation:
Maurya dynasty ruled from 322 BCE to 185 BCE, founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
Shunga dynasty ruled from 185 BCE to 73 BCE, established by Pushyamitra Shunga after the last Mauryan ruler.
Kanva dynasty ruled from 73 BCE to 28 BCE, replaced the Shungas.
Kushana dynasty ruled from 1st century CE to 3rd century CE, much later period.
Correct chronological order: Maurya (2) → Shunga (1) → Kanva (4) → Kushana (3), i.e., 2-1-4-3.
Which Buddhist council was not held in Bihar?
Detailed Explanation:
First Council was held at Rajagriha (Rajgir), Bihar immediately after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (483 BCE) under the patronage of King Ajatashatru.
Second Council convened at Vaishali, Bihar around 383 BCE, about 100 years after the First Council.
Third Council took place at Pataliputra (Patna), Bihar during Emperor Ashoka's reign (250 BCE).
Fourth Council was held in Kashmir (Kundalavana) under King Kanishka (circa 72 CE) – the only council not held in Bihar.
The script written on Ashoka's Pillars is
Detailed Explanation:
Brahmi script was the primary script used on Ashoka's pillars across most of the Indian subcontinent, making it the earliest known Indian script and ancestor of modern Indian scripts.
In northwestern regions (present-day Pakistan/Afghanistan), Kharosthi script was used, while Greek and Aramaic scripts appeared in Hellenistic-influenced areas to reach local populations.
Which of the following is not associated with Chandragupta Maurya?
Detailed Explanation:
Susima was the eldest son of Bindusara and grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, a contender for the throne against Ashoka.
Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman (150 CE) mentions repairs to the Sudarshana Lake originally built by Pushyagupta, a governor under Chandragupta Maurya.
Vishnugupta is another name for Chanakya (Kautilya), the prime minister and mentor of Chandragupta Maurya.
Sanchi Stupa was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka (grandson of Chandragupta) in the 3rd century BCE; no historical evidence links it to Chandragupta Maurya himself.
Name the major city of the Indus valley civilization that had trade with West Asia.
Detailed Explanation:
Lothal, located in present-day Gujarat, was the major port city of the Indus Valley Civilization with a well-built dockyard for maritime trade.
Archaeological evidence including seals, weights, beads, and semi-precious stones confirms extensive trade links with Mesopotamia (cities like Ur and Sumer), while Ropar and Kalibangan were inland settlements without maritime trade facilities.
Which of the following rulers ruled Assam in the time of Harsha?
Detailed Explanation:
Bhaskar Varman of the Varman dynasty ruled Kamarupa (Assam) during Harsha's reign (606-647 CE). He was a contemporary and ally of Emperor Harsha, attended the Kannauj Assembly, and is mentioned in Harshacharita by Bana Bhatta and accounts of Xuanzang.
Aswad Jahan was a medieval Muslim ruler, King Dahir ruled Sindh (not Assam), making Option 2 the only correct answer.
Which of the following was the capital of the Chera dynasty?
Detailed Explanation:
The Chera dynasty was a major Sangam age Tamil kingdom with its capital at Vanchi (also called Vanchi Muthur), identified with modern-day Karur in Tamil Nadu.
Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava dynasty, and Madurai served as the capital of the Pandya dynasty.
Hence, only Option 1 (Kuravur/Karur) is correct.
Consider the following about Ajivika sect:
a. Makhali Gosala was its most important leader.
b. Central idea of the philosophy was "NIYATI" that is fate.
c. The discrimination on the basis of caste and class.
d. The Ajivikas had regular sabhas for meetings.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement a – Correct: Makkhali Gosala was the founder and most prominent leader of the Ajivika sect, a contemporary of Mahavira and Buddha.
✅ Statement b – Correct: The core philosophy of Ajivikas was Niyati (determinism/fate), believing that everything in life is predetermined and human effort cannot change destiny.
❌ Statement c – Incorrect: Ajivikas opposed caste and class discrimination and believed in equality; statement c wrongly suggests they practiced discrimination.
✅ Statement d – Correct: Historical evidence confirms that Ajivikas organized regular sabhas (assemblies) for religious discussions and community cohesion.
Consider the following about the King "Praversena":
a. He was the real founder of Vakataka dynasty.
b. His empire extended from Bundelkhand in the north to Hyderabad in the south.
c. He succeeded his father king Vindhyashakti.
d. He is mentioned in Puranas.
Which of the following statements are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement a – Correct: Pravarasena I is considered the real founder/consolidator of the Vakataka dynasty, though technically founded by his father.
✅ Statement b – Correct: His empire extended from Bundelkhand in the north to Hyderabad in the south.
✅ Statement c – Correct: He succeeded his father King Vindhyashakti.
✅ Statement d – Correct: He is mentioned in Puranas (Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana).
All four statements are correct, hence more than one option is valid.
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.
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