UPSC Prelims · GS Paper 1 · Ancient India
Ancient India: Prelims PYQs with answers
55 questions from 2013 to 2026, newest first. The 2026 answers are not yet final: UPSC releases its official key after the final result.
Q1Prelims 2026
Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:
- I. There is wide occurrence spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
- II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
- III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?
- 1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
- 2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
- 3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q2Prelims 2026
Consider the following assertion:
In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.
Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion?
- 1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda
- 2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote
- 3. The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systems
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 2
- (d) 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 3 · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q3Prelims 2026
Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:
- I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
- II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.
Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
- 1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
- 2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra /sreni (sickle).
- 3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 3
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q4Prelims 2026
Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?
- 1. Vitasta: Chenab
- 2. Asikni: Jhelum
- 3. Parushni: Ravi
- 4. Yavyavati: Beas
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 and 4
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 4 only
Show answer
Answer: (c) 3 only · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q5Prelims 2026
In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’) originate?
- (a) Rigveda
- (b) Atharvaveda
- (c) Ashtadhyayi
- (d) Arthashastra
Show answer
Answer: (b) Atharvaveda · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q6Prelims 2026
Consider the following statements:
- I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.
- II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.
The above statements have been associated with which of the following?
- 1. Emergence of urban life
- 2. Transition to money economy
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q7Prelims 2026
Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?
- (a) Deva (gods)
- (b) Yaksha (demi-gods)
- (c) Manushya (humans)
- (d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)
Show answer
Answer: (b) Yaksha (demi-gods) · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q8Prelims 2026
Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?
- 1. Senguttuvan: Chera
- 2. Udiyanjeral: Chola
- 3. Nedunjeliyan Pandya
Select the answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only · UPSC's official 2026 key is not yet released.
Q9Prelims 2025
Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and Yukta’ were important officers at the
- (a) village-level administration
- (b) district-level administration
- (c) provincial administration
- (d) level of the central administration
Show answer
Answer: (b) district-level administration
Q10Prelims 2025
With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs:
Territorial region River flowing in the region I. Asmaka Godavari II. Kamboja Vipas III. Avanti Mahanadi IV. Kosala Sarayu How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All the four
Show answer
Answer: (b) Only two
Q11Prelims 2025
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
- (a) Samudragupta
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (c) Kumaragupta I
- (d) Skandagupta
Show answer
Answer: (b) Chandragupta II
Q12Prelims 2025
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?
- (a) Mahendravarman I
- (b) Simhavishnu
- (c) Narasimhavarman I
- (d) Simhavarman
Show answer
Answer: (a) Mahendravarman I
Q13Prelims 2024
Consider the following information:
Archaeological Site State Description 1. Chandraketugarh Odisha Trading Port Town 2. Inamgaon Maharashtra Chalcolithic site 3. Mangadu Kerala Megalithic site 4. Salihundam Andhra Pradesh Rock-cut cave shrines In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 3 and 4
- (d) 1 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Q14Prelims 2024
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?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Q15Prelims 2024
With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
- 1. Nayaputta
- 2. Shakyamuni
- 3. Tathagata
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Q16Prelims 2024
Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
- (a) Kavyalankara
- (b) Natyashastra
- (c) Madhyama-vyayoga
- (d) Mahabhashya
Show answer
Answer: (c) Madhyama-vyayoga
Q17Prelims 2023
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
- (a) Andhra
- (b) Gandhara
- (c) Kalinga
- (d) Magadha
Show answer
Answer: (a) Andhra
Q18Prelims 2023
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
- 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
- 2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
- 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Show answer
Answer: (b) Only two
Q19Prelims 2023
“Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.” The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
- (a) Buddhism
- (b) Jainism
- (c) Shaivism
- (d) Vaishnavism
Show answer
Answer: (b) Jainism
Q20Prelims 2023
Consider the following pairs:
Site: Well Known for
- 1. Besnagar: Shaivite cave shrine
- 2. Bhaja: Buddhist cave shrine
- 3. Sittanavasal: Jain cave shrine
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Show answer
Answer: (b) Only two
Q21Prelims 2023
Consider the following dynasties:
- 1. Hoysala
- 2. Gahadavala
- 3. Kakatiya
- 4. Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) None
Show answer
Answer: (d) None
Q22Prelims 2023
With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
- (a) capital cities
- (b) ports
- (c) centres of iron-and-steel making
- (d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
Show answer
Answer: (b) ports
Q23Prelims 2023
Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?
- (a) Kings employing women bodyguards
- (b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
- (c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
- (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Show answer
Answer: (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Q24Prelims 2022
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?
- 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
- 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
- 3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Q25Prelims 2022
Consider the following pairs:
Site of Ashoka’s major rock Location in the State of edicts
1. Dhauli Odisha 2. Erragudi Andhra Pradesh 3. Jaugada Madhya Pradesh 4. Kalsi Karnataka How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one pair
- (b) Only two pairs
- (c) Only: three pairs
- (d) All four pairs
Show answer
Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Q26Prelims 2022
Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
- (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
- (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
- (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethics.
- (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Show answer
Answer: (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
Q27Prelims 2021
Which 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 into connected reservoirs?
- (a) Dholavira
- (b) Kalibangan
- (c) Rakhigarhi
- (d) Ropar
Show answer
Answer: (a) Dholavira
Q28Prelims 2021
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
- 2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
- 3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters rélated to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Q29Prelims 2021
From 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?
- 1. The Guptas of Magadha
- 2. The paramaras of Malwa
- 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
- 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
- 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
- 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1, 2 and 5
- (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
- (c) 2, 3 and 4
- (d) 5 and 6
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
Q30Prelims 2020
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?
“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
- (a) Ashoka
- (b) Samudragupta
- (c) Harshavardhana
- (d) Krishanadeva Raya
Show answer
Answer: (a) Ashoka
Q31Prelims 2020
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
- 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
- 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Q32Prelims 2020
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?
- (a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
- (b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
- (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
- (d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
Show answer
Answer: (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
Q33Prelims 2020
Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
- (a) An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
- (b) A diary to be maintained for daily accounts
- (c) A bill of exchange
- (d) An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
Show answer
Answer: (c) A bill of exchange
Q34Prelims 2020
With reference to the period of the Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul were known as
- (a) ports handling foreign trade
- (b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
- (c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
- (d) important of Buddhist pilgrimage centres
Show answer
Answer: (a) ports handling foreign trade
Q35Prelims 2020
With reference to the history of India, the terms ‘kulyavapa’ and ‘dronavapa’ denote
- (a) measurement of land
- (b) coins of different monetary value
- (c) classification of urban land
- (d) religious rituals
Show answer
Answer: (a) measurement of land
Q36Prelims 2020
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
- 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
- 2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
- 3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 3 only
Q37Prelims 2020
Consider the following events in the history of India:
- 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
- 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
- 3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I
- 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
- (a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
- (b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
- (c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
- (d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
Q38Prelims 2019
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
- (a) Chanhudaro
- (b) Kot Diji
- (c) Sohgaura
- (d) Desalpur
Show answer
Answer: (c) Sohgaura
Q39Prelims 2019
Consider the following:
- 1. Deification of the Buddha.
- 2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas.
- 3. Image worship and rituals.
Which of the above is/are the feature / features of Mahayana Buddhism?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q40Prelims 2019
In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
- (a) Kanganahalli
- (b) Sanchi
- (c) Shahbazgarhi
- (d) Sohgaura
Show answer
Answer: (a) Kanganahalli
Q41Prelims 2019
With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
- (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
- (b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
- (c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
- (d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
Show answer
Answer: (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
Q42Prelims 2018
With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to
- (a) Buddhism
- (b) Jainism
- (c) Vaishnavism
- (d) Shaivism
Show answer
Answer: (b) Jainism
Q43Prelims 2018
With reference to India history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
- (a) Avalokiteshvara
- (b) Lokesvara
- (c) Maitreya
- (d) Padmapani
Show answer
Answer: (c) Maitreya
Q44Prelims 2017
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare, whereas the people of the Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
- 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver, and copper, whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
- 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse, whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
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
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Q45Prelims 2017
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
- 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary but existed forever in a latent form.
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
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Q46Prelims 2016
With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynasty histories, and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
- (a) Shramana
- (b) Parivraajaka
- (c) Agrahaarika
- (d) Magadha
Show answer
Answer: (d) Magadha
Q47Prelims 2016
Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
- (a) Georg Buhler
- (b) James Prinsep
- (c) Max Muller
- (d) William Jones
Show answer
Answer: (b) James Prinsep
Q48Prelims 2016
With the reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statement:
- 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
- 2. Bodhisattva is the compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
- 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Q49Prelims 2016
In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Term Description 1. Eripatti Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Q50Prelims 2015
Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of Buddha?
- 1. Avanti
- 2. Gandhara
- 3. Kosala
- 4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 3 and 4 only
Show answer
Answer: (d) 3 and 4 only
Q51Prelims 2014
Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
- 1. Avanti
- 2. Gandhara
- 3. Kosala
- 4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 4
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only
Q52Prelims 2013
Which of the following characterises/characterise the people of the Indus Civilization?
- 1. They possessed great palaces and temples.
- 2. They worshipped both male and female deities.
- 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.
Select the correct statement/statements using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None of the statements given above is correct
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Q53Prelims 2013
Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
- (a) The extinction of the flame of desire
- (b) The complete annihilation of self
- (c) A state of bliss and rest
- (d) A mental stage beyond all comprehension
Show answer
Answer: (a) The extinction of the flame of desire
Q54Prelims 2013
Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
- 1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
- 2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul.
- 3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
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
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q55Prelims 2013
The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. The roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery.
- 2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water, and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
- 3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
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
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only