UPSC Prelims 2020
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 8 solved UPSC Prelims 2020 Ancient History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
- Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
- Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
- Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 3 only
This question tests the association of ancient Indian scholars with their contemporary rulers. Only Kalidasa's association with Chandragupta II is historically accurate, while Panini and Amarasimha are incorrectly matched with the given rulers.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Panini (5th-4th century BCE), author of Ashtadhyayi, lived centuries before Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century BCE). Patanjali, not Panini, was contemporary to Pushyamitra Shunga.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Amarasimha, author of Amarakosha, was one of the Navaratnas in the court of Chandragupta II (Gupta period), not Harshavardhana (7th century CE, Pushyabhuti dynasty).
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Kalidasa, the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist, was indeed one of the Navaratnas in the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya, r. 375-415 CE).
📝 Short Notes: Scholars and Their Patrons
| Scholar/Litterateur | Period/Century | Associated Ruler/Dynasty | Major Work(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panini | 5th-4th century BCE | Pre-Mauryan period | Ashtadhyayi (Sanskrit grammar) |
| Patanjali | 2nd century BCE | Pushyamitra Shunga | Mahabhashya (commentary on Panini) |
| Kalidasa | 4th-5th century CE | Chandragupta II (Gupta) | Abhijnanashakuntalam, Meghaduta, Raghuvamsa |
| Amarasimha | 4th-5th century CE | Chandragupta II (Gupta) | Amarakosha (Sanskrit thesaurus) |
| Banabhatta | 7th century CE | Harshavardhana | Harshacharita, Kadambari |
- Navaratnas of Chandragupta II: Included Kalidasa, Amarasimha, Dhanvantari, Varahamihira, Vararuchi, Kshapanaka, Shanku, Vetala Bhatta, and Ghatakarpara.
- Gupta Golden Age: The period of Chandragupta II (375-415 CE) marked the zenith of classical Sanskrit literature and learning.
- Harsha's Court: While Harshavardhana (r. 606-647 CE) was a patron of learning, his court litterateurs included Banabhatta and Mayura, not Amarasimha.
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Ashoka
This inscription is from Ashoka's Major Rock Edict XII, which emphasizes religious tolerance and harmony among different sects. Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor (268-232 BCE), promoted dhamma (righteousness) and religious pluralism after his transformation following the Kalinga War. The edict specifically warns against sectarian intolerance and advocates respecting all religious traditions.
📝 Short Notes: Ashoka's Edicts
| Type of Edict | Key Features | Important Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Major Rock Edicts (14) | Carved on large rock surfaces; deal with dhamma, religious tolerance, welfare measures | Rock Edict XII (religious tolerance), XIII (remorse for Kalinga War) |
| Minor Rock Edicts | Shorter inscriptions; focus on Buddhist principles and personal faith | Declaration of faith in Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha |
| Pillar Edicts (7) | Inscribed on polished sandstone pillars; administrative and moral instructions | Pillar Edict VII (religious tolerance and welfare) |
| Minor Pillar Edicts | Specific instructions to Buddhist monks and administrators | Schism Edict, Queen's Edict |
- Languages: Primarily Prakrit (Brahmi script), Greek and Aramaic in northwest regions
- Main Themes: Dhamma (righteousness), non-violence, religious tolerance, animal welfare, social harmony
- Rock Edict XII specifically: Criticizes sectarian pride, promotes mutual respect among religions, emphasizes growth through restraint in speech about other sects
- Historical Significance: Earliest deciphered inscriptions in India; provide insights into Mauryan administration and Ashoka's ideology
- Geographical Spread: Found across Indian subcontinent from Afghanistan to Karnataka, indicating vast empire extent
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:
- Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer
- Shramana — Priest with a high status
- Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 3 only
This question tests knowledge of ancient Indian religious and cultural terminology. Pair 1 and Pair 3 are correctly matched, while Pair 2 incorrectly describes Shramanas as high-status priests, whereas they were actually ascetic practitioners who rejected Brahmanical orthodoxy.
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Parivrajaka literally means 'wanderer' and refers to renunciants who abandoned worldly life to travel and pursue spiritual knowledge.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Shramana means 'one who strives' and refers to ascetic traditions (Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika) that opposed the Vedic priestly hierarchy, not priests with high status.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Upasaka refers to lay followers of Buddhism who practiced the faith without joining the monastic Sangha.
📝 Short Notes: Ancient Indian Religious Terminology
| Term | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Parivrajaka | Wandering ascetic/renunciant | Religious mendicants who renounced worldly life and traveled for spiritual purposes |
| Shramana | One who strives/performs austerities | Ascetic traditions (Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika) that rejected Vedic ritualism and caste hierarchy |
| Upasaka (male) / Upasika (female) | Lay follower | Non-monastic followers of Buddhism and Jainism who observed basic precepts |
| Bhikshu (male) / Bhikshuni (female) | Monk/Nun | Members of the Buddhist monastic Sangha who took full ordination |
| Brahmana | Vedic priest | High-caste priests who performed Vedic rituals and sacrifices |
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With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
- Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
- The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
This question tests knowledge of early Buddhist sectarian developments that led to the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahasanghika sect played a crucial role in the evolution of Mahayana through its liberal doctrinal approach and deification of Buddha.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Sthaviravadins (Theravadins) belong to Theravada Buddhism, not Mahayana Buddhism. They represent the conservative orthodox school that emphasized strict adherence to monastic discipline and original teachings.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Lokottaravadin sect was indeed an offshoot of the Mahasanghika school. The term 'Lokottaravada' means 'transcendentalist doctrine,' believing that Buddha was supramundane (lokottara) and not bound by worldly laws.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Mahasanghikas' progressive views, including the deification and transcendental nature of Buddha, directly contributed to the doctrinal foundation of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasized the Bodhisattva ideal and multiple Buddhas.
📝 Short Notes: Early Buddhist Schools and Mahayana Development
| Aspect | Sthaviravadins (Theravada) | Mahasanghikas |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | 'Doctrine of Elders' | 'Great Assembly' |
| Nature | Conservative, orthodox | Liberal, progressive |
| View of Buddha | Human teacher who attained enlightenment | Transcendental, supramundane being |
| Monastic Rules | Strict adherence to Vinaya | More flexible interpretation |
| Contribution | Preserved early teachings; led to Theravada | Doctrinal innovations; fostered Mahayana |
| Key Offshoots | Various Theravada schools | Lokottaravadins, Prajñaptivadins |
- First Buddhist Council (483 BCE): Held at Rajagriha after Buddha's death; compiled teachings but seeds of disagreement emerged.
- Second Buddhist Council (383 BCE): Held at Vaishali; major split between Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas over monastic discipline.
- Lokottaravadins: Believed Buddha possessed infinite powers, infinite lifespan, and was never truly bound by physical limitations.
- Mahayana Evolution: Emerged around 1st century BCE-CE, building on Mahasanghika concepts of Buddha's transcendence, multiple Buddhas, and the Bodhisattva path.
- Theravada Today: Survives in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos as the only surviving school of early Buddhism.
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term paramitas?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
The term 'paramitas' in Buddhist philosophy refers to the transcendent virtues or perfections that must be cultivated by Bodhisattvas on their path to enlightenment. In Mahayana Buddhism, these perfections typically include six virtues: generosity (dana), moral conduct (sila), patience (kshanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), and wisdom (prajna). The practice and perfection of these virtues enable Bodhisattvas to progress toward Buddhahood while helping others achieve liberation from suffering.
📝 Short Notes: Paramitas in Buddhism
- Paramitas (Perfections): Transcendent virtues practiced in Mahayana Buddhism to attain enlightenment and Bodhisattva status.
- Six Traditional Paramitas: (1) Dana (Generosity), (2) Sila (Moral Conduct/Ethics), (3) Kshanti (Patience/Forbearance), (4) Virya (Energy/Diligence), (5) Dhyana (Meditation/Concentration), (6) Prajna (Wisdom/Insight).
- Extended List: Some texts mention ten paramitas, adding Upaya (Skillful Means), Pranidhana (Vow/Resolution), Bala (Spiritual Power), and Jnana (Knowledge).
- Bodhisattva Path: A Bodhisattva is one who seeks enlightenment not just for themselves but to help all sentient beings; paramitas are essential practices on this path.
- Mahayana Tradition: The concept of paramitas is central to Mahayana Buddhism and distinguishes it from Theravada tradition in its emphasis on the Bodhisattva ideal.
With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — measurement of land
The terms kulyavapa and dronavapa were units of land measurement used in ancient India, particularly during the Gupta period. These measurements were based on the quantity of seed required to sow a specific area of land—'vapa' means 'to sow', while 'kulya' and 'drona' were volumetric measures of grain.
📝 Short Notes: Ancient Indian Land Measurement Systems
| Term | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Kulyavapa | Area of land requiring one kulya (larger measure) of grain to sow | Commonly found in Gupta-era copper-plate inscriptions (Damodarpur plates, etc.) recording land grants and transactions |
| Dronavapa | Area of land requiring one drona (smaller measure) of grain to sow | |
| Adhavapa | Area requiring one adha of grain to sow | |
| Pataka | Another unit of land measurement |
- Vapa literally means 'to sow', indicating these were seed-based measurements
- These units reflect an agricultural economy where land value was tied to productivity
- The Gupta period (c. 320-550 CE) saw systematic land revenue administration using these measures
- Land grants to Brahmanas and temples were often recorded using these units
- This system differed from modern area-based measurements, instead using functional agricultural capacity
With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Ports handling foreign trade
During the Gupta period (c. 320–550 CE), Ghantasala and Kadura on the eastern coast (Andhra region) and Chaul on the western coast (Maharashtra) were prominent maritime centers engaged in overseas trade. These ports facilitated commerce with Southeast Asia, Western Asia, and the Roman world, trading in textiles, spices, ivory, and other commodities.
📝 Short Notes: Major Ports of Ancient India (Gupta Period)
| Port | Location | Trade Links | Main Commodities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghantasala | Eastern coast (Andhra Pradesh) | Southeast Asia, Roman Empire | Textiles, spices, ivory |
| Kadura | Eastern coast (Andhra region) | Southeast Asia | Textiles, spices, precious stones |
| Chaul | Western coast (Maharashtra) | Western Asia, Arabia | Cotton textiles, spices |
| Barbaricum | Indus delta | Western Asia, Rome | Indigo, cotton, silk |
| Barygaza (Bharuch) | Gujarat coast | Rome, Arabia, East Africa | Textiles, spices, gems |
| Muziris | Kerala coast | Rome, Arabia | Pepper, spices, pearls |
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place - Present State
- Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh
- Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra
- Girinagar - Gujarat
- Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 3 only
This question tests knowledge of historical places and their present-day locations in India. Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, while pairs 2 and 4 incorrectly identify the present states.
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Bhilsa (Vidisha) is indeed located in Madhya Pradesh and was the capital of the Sunga dynasty.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Dwarasamudra (Halebidu) is located in Karnataka, not Maharashtra. It was the capital of the Hoysala dynasty.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Girinagar (Junagadh) is located in Gujarat and is famous for Mauryan rock inscriptions including Ashoka's edicts.
❌ Pair 4 – Incorrect: Sthanesvara (Thanesar) is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh. It was the initial capital of Emperor Harsha of the Vardhana dynasty.
📝 Short Notes: Historical Places and Their Present Locations
| Historical Name | Also Known As | Present State | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhilsa | Vidisha | Madhya Pradesh | Capital of Sunga dynasty; important Buddhist center |
| Dwarasamudra | Halebidu | Karnataka | Capital of Hoysala dynasty; famous temples |
| Girinagar | Junagadh | Gujarat | Mauryan rock edicts; Rudradaman inscription |
| Sthanesvara | Thanesar | Haryana | Initial capital of Harsha; site of Kurukshetra |
| Pataliputra | Patna | Bihar | Capital of Mauryas, Guptas, and Palas |
| Kanchipuram | Kanchi | Tamil Nadu | Capital of Pallavas; temple city |
UPSC Prelims 2020 - Ancient History Chapter-wise Distribution
Gupta Empire
3 Qs (37.5%)Religious Movements
3 Qs (37.5%)Mauryan Empire
2 Qs (25%)UPSC Prelims 2020 - Ancient History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Ancient History questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2020?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Ancient History in UPSC Prelims 2020?
- Gupta Empire: 3 questions (37.5%)
- Religious Movements: 3 questions (37.5%)
- Mauryan Empire: 2 questions (25%)