UPSC CSE · Subject
UPSC Prelims Ancient History PYQs (2011–2026): Topic-wise with Answers
51 UPSC Prelims questions on Ancient History from 2011–2026, grouped by topic with the newest year first. The most-asked topics are Ancient Art, Literature and Culture (11), Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley) (9), Mauryan Age (9). Difficulty: 16% easy, 31% medium and 53% hard.
Ancient History topics
Ancient Art, Literature and Culture 11 questions
- Place Value System EpigraphicConsider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:
- Literary Works and AuthorsWith reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
- Ancient Texts ClassificationWith reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
- Aryadeva Dignaga NathamuniWith reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Historical person — Known as
- Sangam Literature VarnaWhich one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
- Sanskrit PlaywrightsWith reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
- Mahayana Buddhism FeaturesConsider the following statements:
- Bodhisattva Concept BuddhismWith reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Ancient Indian Scientific ProgressWith reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
- Buddhism Jainism Common FeaturesWith reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
- Bay of BengalIndia maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of…
Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley) 9 questions
- Harappan Towns ArchaeologyConsider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:
- Mahendravarman I TitlesWho among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?
- Chandraketugarh Inamgaon Mangadu SalihundamConsider the following information:
- Sangam Ports Korkai PoompuharWith reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
- Dholavira Water ManagementWhich 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…
- Harappan Site SohgauraWhich one of the following is not a Harappan site?
- Rigvedic Aryans vs Indus PeopleWith reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Indus Civilization FeaturesWhich of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization?
- Indus Valley Secular CharacterRegarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:
Mauryan Age 9 questions
- Pali Texts CoinageConsider the following statements:
- Ashoka Pradeshika Rajuka YuktaAshokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the:
- Buddha EpithetsWith reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
- Dhanyakataka Buddhist CentreIn which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
- Kautilya Arthashastra SlaveryAccording to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?
- Ashoka Rock Edict SitesConsider the following pairs:
- Ashoka Rock Edict XIIWho among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?
- Kanganahalli Ashoka ReliefIn which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
- James Prinsep Ashoka EdictsWho of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
Vedic Period 9 questions
- Vitasta Asikni Parushni YavyavatiWhich of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?
- Kshetra Patni TermIn which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?
- Rigvedic AgricultureConsider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:
- Asmaka Kamboja Avanti Kosala RiversWith reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:
- Upanishads ParablesConsider the following statements:
- Vattakirutal PracticeWhich one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
- Magadha Bards ChroniclesWith reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
- Early Vedic ReligionThe religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
- Dharma and RitaThe “dharma” and “rita” depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements:
Construction of Ancient History 5 questions
- Yamuna Sutlej River CaptureConsider the following assertion:
- Araghatta Irrigation WheelThe irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was
- Burzahom Chandraketugarh GaneshwarConsider the following pairs:
- Hiuen Tsang India AccountsThe Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang), who visited India, recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the…
- Ancient Indian Guilds ShreniWith reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Gupta Period 5 questions
- Fa Hien Chandragupta IIFa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
- Panini Amarasimha Kalidasa PatronsWith reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
- Kulyavapa Dronavapa Land MeasuresWith reference to the history of India, the terms 'kulyavapa' and 'dronavapa' denote
- Gupta Ports Ghantasala ChaulWith reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
- Vishti Forced Labour GuptaWith reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
Harshavardhana & Southern Dynasties 3 questions
- Senguttuvan Udiyanjeral NedunjeliyanWhich of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are NOT correctly matched?
- Post Gupta KingdomsFrom the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
- Eripatti GhatikasIn the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: