Q.1. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa? (2024)
(a)Kavyalankara
(b)Natyashastra
(c)Madhyama-vyayoga
(d)Mahabhashya
Correct Answer is Option (c)
Q.2. Consider the following statements:
1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2024)
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer is (b) 2only
Q.3. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: (2023)
Literary work | Author |
Devichandragupta | Bilhana |
Hammira-Mahakavya | Nayachandra Suri |
Milinda-panha | Nagarjuna |
Nitivakyamrita | Somadeva Suri |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
View AnswerCorrect Answer is Option (c)
Devichandragupta:Q.4. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: (2022)
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
(a)1, 2 and 3
(b)2 and 4 only
(c)1, 3 and 4
(d)2, 3 and 4
View AnswerCorrect Answer is Option (b)
Q.5. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous (2021)
(a) Jain monks
(b) Playwrights
(c)Temple architects
(d) Philosophers
View AnswerCorrect Answer is Option (b)
Bhavabhutiwas a famous Sanskrit playwright who wrote famous plays like Mahaviracharita, Malatimadhava, etc.
Hastimallawrote 8 plays including Vikrant Kaurava and Subhadra Harana.
Kshemeshvarais also a playwright in the ancient period.
Q.6. With reference to the cultural history of India consider the following pairs: (2020)
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer is Option (b)
Q.7.With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017)
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer is Option (c)
All the gold jewelry found at Harappan sites was recovered from hoards. So, the second statement is wrong, which eliminated B and D. But then depending on which history book you refer to, Harappanswere aware or unaware about the horses. So the experts were divided between option A and options C. UPSC chose ‘C’ as the official answer- meaning Harappans did not know about the horses.
Q.8.The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from (2014 )
(a)Katha Upanishad
(b)Chandogya Upanishad
(c) Aitareya Upanishad
(d) Mundaka Upanishad
Correct Answer is Option (d)
The wordsSatyameva Jayatecame from Mundaka Upanishad, meaning‘Truth Alone Triumphs’.
Q.9. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? (2014)
(a)Mimamsa and Vedanta
(b)Nyaya and Vaisheshika
(c) Lokayata and Kapalika
(d)Sankhya and Yoga
Correct Answer is Option (c)
Lokayataand Kapalikado not form ofSix systemsof Indian philosophy
Q.10. In the context of the cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favorite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose? (2013 )
(a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at the waist and neck
(b)Facial expressions, hand gestures, and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
(c)Movements of body, face, and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
(d) A little smile, a slightly curved waist, and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism
Correct Answer is Option (a)
The pose‘Tribhanga’is the favorite posture of Lord Krishna. We have often seen Lord Krishna standing in tribhanga posture before his cow‘Kamdhenu’ or whenever he is playing his flute. He is often calledTribhana Murari.
Q.11. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of (2012)
(a) Bhakti
(b)image worship and Yajnas
(c)worship of nature and Yajnas
(d)worship of nature and Bhakti
Correct Answer is Option (c)
The early Vedic Aryans indulged in Image Worship and Yajnas.
Q.12. The “Dharma” and “Rita” depict a central idea of the ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements : (2011)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer is Option (c)
‘Rita’ refers to regulation order by nature and was related to the conduct of the Vedic Gods and Humans, somewhere related to the moral and physical law. Statement 2 is correct. ‘Rita’ was later replaced by ‘Dharma’and was a more sophisticated form of principles of law. As per Chanakya, ‘Dharma’ was the promotion of one’s own security, happiness as well as social order.
Q.13. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells? (2004)
(a)Rigveda
(b)Yajurveda
(c)Atharvaveda
(d)Samaveda
Correct Answer is Option (c)
Atharvavedais a book of magical formulas. It contains charms and spells to ward off evil and disease.
Q.14. The term 'Aryan' denotes: (1999)
(a)an ethnic group
(b) a nomadic people
(c) a speech group
(d)a superior race
Correct Answer is Option (c)
Aryanis in fact a linguistic term indicating a speech group of Indo-European origin and is not an ethnic term.
Q.15. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is : (1996)
(a)Sindhu
(b)Sutudri
(c)Sarasvati
(d) Ganga
Correct Answer is Option (a)
Sapta Sindhu plays a prominent part in the hymnsof the Rigveda, and consequently in early Vedic religion.
Q.16. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four acorns (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
Correct Answer is Option (c)
A complete Yuga starts with the Satya Yuga (Krita), via Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga into a Kali Yuga.
Q.17. According to Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means by (1995)
(a)jnana
(b)bhakti
(c)yoga
(d)karma
Correct Answer is Option (d)
Mimansameans investigation or enquiry. The primary enquiry is into the nature of dharma based on close theology of the Vedas. It has two divisions, Purva Mimansa and Uttar Mimansa. The Purva Mimansa explains the Dharma as a"virtue", "morality"or"duty".Dharma is the essentially ritualism, and there is a great significance of the Karma or action in attaining Dharma. Mimansa system of philosophy stresses on the doctrine of "karma". It says that liberation is possible by means of performing "Karma."
Q.18. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas? (1995)
(a)Lopamudra
(b)Gargi
(c)Leelavati
(d)Savitri
Correct Answer is Option (a)
OtherBrahmavadini are Vishwawara, Sikta, Nivavari, Ghosha, and Maitreyi.
Q.19. The word ‘Hindu’ as a reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by: (1995)
(a)the Greeks
(b)the Romans
(c) the Chinese
(d)the Arabs
Correct Answer is Option (d)
The name of India is a corruption of the word Sindhu. Sindhu is the name of the Indus River, mentioned in the Rigveda. Neighboring Arabs, Iranians uttered 's' as 'h' and called this land Hindu. Greeks pronounced this name as Indus.
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