Theme T3 · Heritage, Art & Culture
Sources of history: inscriptions, rock-cut caves, travellers, Sangam & Persian texts
5PYQs
5GS1
2013–20264 distinct years
1asked 2024–26
What UPSC asks
UPSC asks how specific sources help reconstruct history: Ashokan inscriptions, rock-cut caves, Chinese and Arab travellers, Persian texts, Sangam literature. The angle is always 'what does this source tell us, and what are its limits'.
Prepare these
- Ashokan edicts: dhamma, administration, extent of empire, script (Brahmi, Kharosthi)
- Rock-cut caves: Barabar, Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta and what they reveal on art, religion, patronage
- Travellers: Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang, Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta
- Persian sources: Ain-i-Akbari, Baburnama, court chronicles
- Sangam literature: social and economic life vs weak political chronology
Answer writing
- Structure: what the source is → what it reveals (polity, economy, society, religion) → its limitations or biases
- Name at least three specific examples per answer
Directive words in these PYQs: Comment (2), Analyse (1), Discuss (1), Assess (1).
Syllabus lines covered
- GS1-L1 — Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
All 5 PYQs, newest first
- GS1202610 marks · 150 wordsGS1-CUL-01-M2026-S01
Analyze the importance of Ashokan inscriptions for reconstructing Mauryan history
- GS12020GS1-CUL-01-M2020-S01
- GS12020GS1-CUL-06-M2020-S02
Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment.
- GS12018GS1-CUL-07-M2018-S01
- GS12013GS1-CUL-06-M2013-S01