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Gupta & Post-Gupta — UPSC Prelims Ancient & Medieval previous year questions — page 2

52 solved previous year questions on Gupta & Post-Gupta, papers from 1992 to 2020, drawn from State PCS, UPSC CSE Prelims, UPPCS. Each carries the printed answer key and the explanation from the source compilation.

1. #41Practice set
   Which of the following statements regarding the k prevailing during the Agt! is/are correct? l. Vapa was the unit used for measuring land. 2. Copper and Bronze coins were scarce in quantity. 3. Landed intermediaries started to emerge in this period.-Select the correct option using the code given below
   • A1 and 2 only
   • B2 and 3 only
   • C1 and 3 only
   • D1, 2 and 3
   Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
   Explanation

   Option d is the correct 1 is correct: The Gupta land grant Bengal inform us about a unit known as vapa which f used for measuring land in the region kulyavapa). It is derived from root vap (to exact size of this unit is not clearly 2 is correct: The Gupta Age is famous fo r and quantity of Gold coins. Even silver coins However coins made of copper, bronze and metals were scarce during this 3 is correct: The textual records of earlier Arthashastra) talk only about tax-paying and the ruler, but the textual records of talk about three tiers, mahipati (the king), and karshaka (cultivator) which indicates intermediaries were starting to emerge in

2. #42Practice set
   Consider the following foreign travelers who visited India: 1. Hiuen- Tsang 2. Fa-Hien 3. MegasthenesHow many of the travellers given above visited during reign of Harshavardhana?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (C) All three
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct c is incorrect. Slaves were present in the as well as rural comprised a large section of population that the towns along with domestic servants. Important Tips India had international trade with places lying both to the east as well as to the west. i the East - China: India exported fine textiles and imported raw silk and porcelain; Spices v,ere imported from South East Asia in return for Indian textiles With the west - Ivory imported from Africa in return for Indian textiles; Indian textiles were exported to countries on the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Manufacturing of paper and Superior mortar were one of the few developments introduced during the Delhi Sultanate

3. #43Practice set
   With reference to the ancient history of India, consider the following inscriptions: 1. Banskhera inscription 2. Madhuban inscription. 3. Nalanda inscription. 4. Sonpat inscription.Which of the following is correct about above given inscriptions?
   • AAll these inscriptions mention about King Pulakeshin
   • BAll these inscriptions mention about King Harsha
   • CAll these inscriptions mention about King Bhaskaravarman
   • DAll these inscriptions mention Gupta king Kumaragupta I
   Answer: (B) All these inscriptions mention about King Harsha
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct 1: Banskhera copper plate inscription is situated Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. An AD 628 was found here in 1894. According to had granted Markatsagar village to two and Bhattaswami. This als o speaks of of Rajyavardhana over the Malwa king 2: The Madhuban copper plate inscription district of Uttar Pradesh and it is dated AD mentions the grant of Somkunda village to 3 and 4: The Nalanda and Sonpat are two Harsha that have been found in Nalanda (Bihar) (Haryana). The Nalanda seal is made of clay, Sonepat clay is made of copper. These seals contain of all the kings. It is the Sonepat seal which as the full name of Harsha

4. #44Practice set
   This court poet authored the first formal biography of a King in ancient India. He also authored a romantic novel in Sanskrit called Kadambari. Who among the following are the king and the author mentioned here?
   • ASandhyakar Nandi and Ramapala
   • BVikramaditya VI and Bilhana
   • CHarshavardhana and Banabhatta
   • DHemachandra and Kumarapala
   Answer: (C) Harshavardhana and Banabhatta
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct above-mentioned phrase talks about the by a is incorrect: Sandhyakar Nandi is a court pala ruler Ramapala. He composed Ramacharitam, of a Pala ruler Ramapala. It describes how were brought into their alliance through lavish gifts It was written after Harshacharitra Option b is incorrect: Bilhana is a court poet VI of the Western Chalukya Vikramankadevacharita Option c is correct: Banabhatta also known as Bana is a of Harshavardhana, is an author of Harshacharita, of Indian emperor Harsha. It is first formal biography of a king. It inaugurated literary genre in India. Bana also authored a novel called d is incorrect: Her,nachandra composed charitra. Kumarapala (1143 1172 CE) Indian king from the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty He ruled present-day Gujarat. Important Tips This book Harshacharitra gives an account of Harshavardhana's rise to power. It inspired new genre

5. #45Practice set
   With reference to the ancient king Harshavardhana, consider the following statements: 1. The Buddhist council convened by him at Kannauj resulted in the emergence of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Harsha ruled according to the ideals laid down in the Dharmashastras.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Answer: (B) 2 only
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct Chinese pilgrim Hie un Tsang visited India during of Harsha. His accounts were one of the major deduce Harsha's religious orientation and 1 is incorrect: The fourth Buddhist Council the patronage of Kanishka in Kashmir in 72 AD to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. to the Mahayana school of 2 is correct: Harsha ruled according to laid down in the Dharmashastras. Dharmasastras genre of Sanskrit texts on law and conduct and refers treatises (sastras) on dhanna

6. #46Practice set
   With reference to the religious faith of the Harshvardhan, consider the following statements: 1. According to account of Xuan Zang Harsha was a follower of Jainism. 2. According to Madhuban copper plates inscriptions Harsha granted land to Brahman as.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • A1 Only
   • B2 Only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 and 2
   Answer: (B) 2 Only
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct 1 is incorrect. In his accounts, Xuan that Harsha was a follower of (not Jainism) He has given description of assembly that was conducted during Xuan Zang also claimed that Harsha almost royal treasury by making lavish gifts to the was the follower of Shiva. In his accounts, said Harsha worshipped Buddha, Shiva and the distributed charity to the followers of all faiths at 2 is correct. Further, the Banskhera copper plates inscriptions mentions that land to Brahmanas. Harsha has been a devotee of Shiva in these inscriptions. Inscriptions that the early Pusyabhuti kings worshipped Rajyavardhana was a devotee of the Buddha

7. #47Practice set
   With reference to the ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. The Maitrakas established an independent kingdom in Thanesar after the fall of Gupta empire. 2. The Maukharies were the subordinate rulers of the Guptas who ruled over the western India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
   Explanation

   Option d is the correct I is incorrect: The Maitrakas were of the Guptas, who established an in western India. Ruling over Saurashtra the Maitrakas developed as their city became an important center of learning. Being Arabian Sea, it was also a port town having and commerce. Maitrakas continued to rule until of the eighth century when Arab attacks 2 is incorrect: The Maukharies ruled over gradually replaced Pataliputra as a political center India. Harshavardhana's sister Rajyashri was Grihavarman. Shashanka (the ruler of Gaur) and Later Gupta) ruler jointly attacked Grihavarman him. The kingdom of Kanauj was then merged of the Pushyabhutis and Harsha shifted his capital (Kurukshetra) to Kanauj. Important Tips An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis who had their capital at Thanesar. was its important ruler

8. #48Practice set
   Consider the following pairs:Harshacharita Banabhatta 2. Raghuvamsha Kalidasa 3. Panchasiddhantika HarshavardhanaHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone 1 "I,"
   Answer: (B) Only two
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct l is correct. Harshacarita written by poet 2 is correct. Kalidasa who lived in the court in the fifth century AD authored Meghadu t arn, Abhijnanashakuntalam, and 3 is incorrect. Varaham.ihira was a great has written a number of books on astronomy. His work J Panchasiddhantika deals with five astronomicai Harshavardhana, a great king was also be a literary monarch, who have authored three Nagananda and Ratnavali _

9. #49Full-length test
   With reference to the Allahabad Pillar Inscriptions of the Gupta Dynasty, consider the following statements: 1. It describes the accession and military campaigns of Chandragupta-II. 2. It is written in Sanskrit language. 3. It was composed by the court poet 'Harisena'.How many of the above given statements are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (B) Only two
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct 1 is incorrect: The most important source reign of Samudragupta (and not Chandragupta-II) is pillar inscription. It describes military campaign, relationship with rulers and accomplishments as a poet 2 and 3 are correct: This Allahabad engraved at Allahabad on the same pillar which inscriptions of the peace-loving Ashoka. It was Sanskrit language. It was composed by Harisena. an important figure in the court of Gupta

10. #50Full-length test
    Which of the following statements is correct regarding the features of Gupta literature?
    • AThe vivid representation of human tragedies in plays is one of the unique features of Gupta literature
    • BGupta literature was marked by the absence of secular literature
    • CLiterature of Gupta Period suggest that women started to learn and use Sanskrit on larger scale
    • DThe earliest versions of Puranas were compiled during the Gupta period. SJ
    Answer: (D) The earliest versions of Puranas were compiled during the Gupta period. SJ
    Explanation

    Option d the correct a is incorrect: The plays during Gupta were mostly comedies without any tragedies, there was sorrow in the course of the plays, but they on a positive note. Hence there is an absence of vivid representation of tragedies in plays written during Gupta Period. Option b is incorrect: The Gupta period witnessed the production of Secular as well as religious literature. The two great epics, namely the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were compiled during the Gupta period. The greatest Sanskrit poet Kalidasa authored many secular literatures such as Malavikagnimitram, Vikramorvashiya, Meghadootam etc, during Gupta period. Option c is incorrect: The literature of Gupta period shows that the higher and lower classes do not speak the same language; women Shudras used whereas the male of higher classes used Sanskrit. Option d is correct: The Puranas initially belonged to the bardi

11. #51Full-length test
    The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of
    • AHarshavardhana, Pulakeshin and Mahendravarman
    • BHarshavardhana, Pulakeshin and Narasimhavarman I
    • CPulakeshin II, Kirtivarman 1 and Narasimhavarman I
    • DHarshavardhana, Mahendravarman and Bhaskaravarman
    Answer: (B) Harshavardhana, Pulakeshin and Narasimhavarman I
    Explanation

    Option bis the correct Tsang was a Chinese traveller who visited 630-643 AD and he spent time in India by texts and relics which he took back to b is correct: Harshavardhana was a who ruled northern India from 606 to 647 Tsang visited (630-643 AD) India during the reign (reign 610-642 AD) reign coincided Tsan's visit to India. Harsha sought to extend southward into the Deccan. However, the Pulikesin defeated Harsha and thwarted his I (reign 630- 668) is one of the of Pallava dynasty, his reign coincided with visit to India. Narasimhavarman defeatin and Chalukya king Pulakeshin in 642 AD and he took of Vatapikondan ( conqueror of (reign 600-650) was the king of (modern Assam) and the last of the his reign also coincides with Hiuen Tsang's visit a and d are incorrect: Mahendravarman H's CE) reign was not coincided with the Hiuen (630-643 AD) to c is incorrect: Kirttivarman I (reign 566-592

12. #52Full-length test
    Which of the following statements regarding social changes that occurred in Ancient India is correct?
    • AThe practice of slavery first began during the Mauryan Age
    • BThe concept of Untouchability first appeared after the Gupta Age
    • CParticipation of women in politico economic matters ended completely since the Later Vedic Age
    • DThe position of Sudras improved during the Gupta Age
    Answer: (C) Participation of women in politico economic matters ended completely since the Later Vedic Age
    Explanation

    Option c is the correct am,w Many territorial states emerged in different parts of in around 6th century B.C. They were janpadas. The largest janpada came to be known Sixteen mahajanapadas are mentioned early texts. Two types of government existed in republican and monarchial. The were called gana sanghas. In the was run by an elected king with the help assemblies comprising heads of all important families. The common man had no participation in of the ruler of a is incorrect: Magadha is a mahajanapada capital as Rajgir. Magadha was not a Ganasangha. a Ganasangha with Vaishali as its Capital. So, the not b is incorrect: Avanti was a mahajanapada capital as Mahishmati. Panchala is also a Ahichchhatra as capital. None of these were during the 6th centuary BC c is correct: Vajji (Confederation of Malla (made up of single clan) / Ganasanghas. So, the group is d is incorrect: Matsya with Vira

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