UPSC Prelims 2021
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 4 solved UPSC Prelims 2021 Ancient History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
In reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
- In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
- The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 Only
This question tests knowledge of the two major schools of Hindu law in ancient and medieval India: Mitakshara and Dayabhaga. Only statement 2 correctly distinguishes between these systems regarding inheritance rights.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Both Mitakshara and Dayabhaga schools applied to upper castes and were not divided on caste lines. Mitakshara was followed in most of India, while Dayabhaga was primarily followed in Bengal and Assam.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: In Mitakshara, sons acquire coparcenary rights by birth and can claim property during the father's lifetime. In Dayabhaga, sons inherit property only after the father's death.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Both systems dealt with property of both male and female members (stridhana - women's property). However, Mitakshara imposed greater restrictions on women's rights and excluded them from coparcenary, while Dayabhaga was more liberal, recognizing widows as heirs.
📝 Short Notes: Mitakshara vs Dayabhaga Schools of Hindu Law
| Aspect | Mitakshara School | Dayabhaga School |
|---|---|---|
| Geographical Area | Most of India (except Bengal and Assam) | Bengal and Assam |
| Inheritance by Sons | Sons acquire coparcenary rights by birth; can claim property during father's lifetime | Sons inherit only after father's death |
| Basis of Inheritance | Based on birth in the family (coparcenary) | Based on succession after death |
| Women's Rights | Recognized stridhana but imposed restrictions; women excluded from coparcenary | More liberal; widows recognized as heirs with greater control over property |
| Authority | Commentary by Vijnaneshwara on Yajnavalkya Smriti | Commentary by Jimutavahana |
From the declines of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
- The Guptas of Magadha
- The Paramaras of Malwa
- The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
- The Maukharis of Kanauj
- The Yadavas of Devagiri
- The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1, 3, 4 and 6
During the period between the decline of the Imperial Guptas (circa 550 CE) and the rise of Harshavardhana (606 CE), Northern India witnessed the emergence of several regional powers. The Later Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharis of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi were all prominent kingdoms that held power during this transitional period.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Later Guptas (distinct from the Imperial Guptas) ruled parts of Magadha and Bihar from the 6th to 8th centuries CE.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Paramaras of Malwa emerged much later, around the 9th century CE, well after Harsha's time.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Pushyabhuti dynasty (Vardhana dynasty) ruled Thanesar in the 6th-7th centuries; Harshavardhana belonged to this dynasty.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The Maukharis ruled Kanauj in the 6th century and were important contemporaries of the declining Guptas.
❌ Statement 5 – Incorrect: The Yadavas of Devagiri rose to prominence in the 12th-13th centuries CE, much later than the period in question.
✅ Statement 6 – Correct: The Maitrakas established an independent kingdom in Valabhi (Gujarat) in the 5th-6th centuries CE after the Gupta decline.
📝 Short Notes: Post-Gupta Regional Kingdoms (550-606 CE)
| Dynasty | Region/Capital | Period | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Later Guptas | Magadha | 6th-8th century CE | Separate from Imperial Guptas; ruled parts of Bihar and Magadha |
| Pushyabhutis (Vardhanas) | Thanesar (Haryana) | 6th-7th century CE | Harshavardhana belonged to this dynasty; consolidated power in Northern India |
| Maukharis | Kanauj | 6th century CE | Controlled the strategic city of Kanauj; allied with Pushyabhutis through marriage |
| Maitrakas | Valabhi (Gujarat) | 5th-8th century CE | Former Gupta feudatories who became independent; patronized Buddhism |
Consider the following pairs:
| Historical Place | Well-known for |
|---|---|
| Burzahom | Rock-cut shrines |
| Chandra-Ketugarh | Terracotta art |
| Ganeshwar | Copper artefacts |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 2 and 3
This question tests knowledge of archaeological sites and their characteristic features. Among the three pairs, only Chandra-Ketugarh (terracotta art) and Ganeshwar (copper artefacts) are correctly matched, while Burzahom is incorrectly associated with rock-cut shrines.
❌ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Burzahom (Kashmir Valley) is a Neolithic site famous for pit-dwellings and bone tools, not rock-cut shrines which belong to later Buddhist/Jain traditions.
✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Chandra-Ketugarh (West Bengal) is renowned for its exquisite terracotta art, including plaques and figurines from the 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) is a Chalcolithic site (4000-2000 BCE) famous for copper artefacts including tools, weapons, and ornaments, representing early metallurgical traditions.
📝 Short Notes: Important Archaeological Sites of India
| Site | Location | Period | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burzahom | Kashmir Valley | Neolithic (3000-1500 BCE) | Pit-dwellings, bone tools, ground stone axes |
| Chandra-Ketugarh | West Bengal | 3rd century BCE - 3rd century CE | Terracotta art, plaques, figurines |
| Ganeshwar | Rajasthan | Chalcolithic (4000-2000 BCE) | Copper artefacts, tools, weapons, ornaments |
| Bagor | Rajasthan | Mesolithic | Microliths, animal bones |
| Ahar | Rajasthan | Chalcolithic | Black-and-red ware pottery |
| Koldihwa | Uttar Pradesh | Neolithic | Early evidence of rice cultivation |
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Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Dholavira
Dholavira, located in Gujarat, is one of the five largest Harappan sites and is world-renowned for its extraordinarily sophisticated water harvesting and management system. The city built a series of dams, reservoirs (16 in total), channels, and interconnected water storage structures to harvest and store rainwater, making it unique among Indus Valley Civilization sites. This elaborate hydraulic engineering demonstrates advanced urban planning and water conservation techniques dating back to around 4500 years ago.
📝 Short Notes: Major Harappan Sites and Their Distinctive Features
| Site | Location | Distinctive Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dholavira | Gujarat (Khadir Island, Kutch) | • Elaborate water harvesting system with 16 reservoirs • Three-part city division (citadel, middle town, lower town) • Large stadium/public gathering area • Earliest known signboard with Harappan inscriptions • Unique dam and channelization system |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan (Ghaggar River) | • First evidence of ploughed agricultural field • Fire altars indicating ritualistic practices • Mud brick architecture • Pre-Harappan and Harappan phases |
| Rakhigarhi | Haryana | • Largest Harappan site in India • Evidence of advanced jewelry making • Multi-roomed houses and planned settlement • Skeletons showing genetic continuity |
| Ropar (Rupnagar) | Punjab (Sutlej River) | • First Harappan site excavated post-independence (1953) • Overlap of Harappan and later cultures • Burial practices with pottery and ornaments • River-based settlement pattern |
| Lothal | Gujarat | • Dockyard and maritime trade center • Evidence of rice cultivation • Bead-making factory • Fire altars |
| Harappa | Pakistan (Punjab) | • First site to be discovered (1921) • Granaries and fortifications • Cemetery R-37 with multiple burial types • Stone sculptures and seals |
UPSC Prelims 2021 - Ancient History Chapter-wise Distribution
Ancient Indian Society
1 Qs (25%)Indus Valley Civilization
1 Qs (25%)Prehistoric Period
1 Qs (25%)Post-Gupta Period
1 Qs (25%)UPSC Prelims 2021 - Ancient History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Ancient History questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2021?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Ancient History in UPSC Prelims 2021?
- Ancient Indian Society: 1 questions (25%)
- Indus Valley Civilization: 1 questions (25%)
- Prehistoric Period: 1 questions (25%)
- Post-Gupta Period: 1 questions (25%)