Ancient Indian History Previous Questions UPSC|KAS Kerala Administrative Service Exam
Ancient Indian History Set 1
1. The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by: [1995]
(a) the Greeks (b) the Romans
(c) the Chinese (d) the Arabs
2. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who
composed some hymns of the Vedas? [1995]
(a) Lopamudra (b) Gargi
(c) Leelavati (d) Savitri
3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer
(using codes given below the lists) [1995]
List-I (Eras) List-II (Reckoned from)
A. Vikrama era 1. 3102 B.C.
B. Saka era 2. 320 A.D.
C. Gupta era 3. 78 A.D.
D. Kali era 4. 58 B.C.
5. 248 A.D.
Codes:
(a) A – 2; B – 4; C – 5; D – 1
(b) A – 1; B – 3; C – 2; D – 4
(c) A – 4; B – 5; C – 2; D – 3
(d) A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1
4. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period
women and Sudras speak: [1995]
(a) Sanskrit (b) Prakrit
(c) Pali (d) Sauraseni
5. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to
his inscriptions is: [1995]
(a) Chakravarti (b) Dharmadeva
(c) Dharmakirti (d) Priyadarsi
6. The term 'Yavanapriya' mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted: [1995]
(a) a fine variety of Indian Muslim
(b) ivory
(c) damsels sent to the Greek court for dance
performance
(d) pepper
7. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by: [1995]
(a) Mahayana Buddhism
(b) Hinayana Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) The Lokayata school
8. According to Mimamsa system of philosophy,
liberation is possible by means by: [1995]
(a) jnana (b) bhakti
(c) yoga (d) karma
9. Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period
invariably show the deity with: [1995]
(a) eight hands (b) six hands
(c) four hands (d) two hands
10. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the
sequential order of the cycle of four acons (yugas) is:
[1996]
(a) Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
(b) Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
(c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
(d) Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita
11. Which one of the following temples figured in the
news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?
[1996]
(a) Jagannath temple, Puri
(b) Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu
(c) Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho
(d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat
12. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature
is : [1996]
(a) Sindhu (b) Sutudri
(c) Sarasvati (d) Ganga
13. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains
literature? [1996]
(a) Therigatha (b) Acarangasutra
(c) Sutrakritanga (d) Brihatkalpasutra
14. Which of the following were common to both
Buddhism and Jainism? [1996]
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and
enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
4. Non-injury to animal life
Select the answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4 (d) 1 and 2
15. In the context of ancient Indian society which one of
the following terms does not belong to the category of
the other three? [1996]
(a) Kula (b) Vamsa
(c) Kosa (d) Gotra
Answers:
1. (d) The name of India is a corruption of the word Sindhu. Sindhu is the name of the Indus River, mentioned in the Rig-Veda. Neighboring Arabs, Iranians uttered 's' as 'h' and called this land Hindu. Greeks pronounced this name as Indus.
2. (a) Other Brahmavadini are Vishwawara, Sikta, Nivavari, Ghosha and Maitreyi.
3. (d) 248 A.D. is Kalachuri era. Vikram era was started by king Vikramaditya. Shaka era was started by Kanishka. Gupta era was started by Chandragupta-I.
4. (b) In Sanskrit plays of Gupta period women and Sudras speak prakrit and Elite class speak Sanskrit.
5. (d) In the year 1915 near a village called Maski in Raichur District of Karnataka, a rock inscription was discovered on a hill. In this inscription for the first time the name of Ashoka was found with titles like Devanampriya and Priyadarshi. It was then certain
that Devanampriya Priyadarshi was no other than
Ashoka.
6. (d) Yavanas were Indo-Greeks. They liked pepper, that is why pepper was known as Yavanapriya.
7. (c) Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism- Ahimsa, Asateya, Aparigraha, Satya and Brahmacharya
8. (d)
9. (c) Four handed Bronze icon of Nataraja is the finest
example of Chola sculpture.
10. (c) A complete Yuga starts with the Satya Yuga (Krita), via Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga into a Kali Yuga.
11. (a) Devadasi is a girl "dedicated" to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. They were Considered the human wife of Lord Jagannath.
12. (a) Sapta Sindhu play a prominent part in the hymns of the Rigveda, and consequently in early Vedic religion.
13. (a) Therigatha was a part of the Buddhist literature.
14. (b) Both denied the authority of the Vedas and the necessity of performing sacrifices and rituals. Both of them were opposed to animal sacrifices.
15. (c) Kosa was used for treasury and the rest of the three terms were related to family.
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