Ancient Indian History Previous Questions UPSC-KAS Kerala Administrative Service Exam

Ancient Indian History Previous Questions UPSC|KAS Kerala Administrative Service Exam

Ancient Indian History 

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 certainthat Devanampriya Priyadarshi was no other thanAshoka.
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 Brahmacharya8. (d)9. (c) Four handed Bronze icon of Nataraja is the finestexample 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.