Ancient History PYQs

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1. Prelims 1999Q23Gupta & Post-Gupta Age

   Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?

   aTamraliptibBroachcKalyandCambay
2. Prelims 1999Q38Ancient Society, Economy & Science

   From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the

   aAfrican tradebWest European tradecSoutheast Asian tradedMiddle Eastern trade
3. Prelims 1999Q49Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

   The following persons came to India at one time or another:

   I.Fa-Hien

   II.I-Tsing

   III.Megasthenes

   IV.Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:

   aIII, I, II, IVbIII, I, IV, IIcI, III, II, IVdI, III, IV, II
4. Prelims 1999Q63Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire

   Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C.?

   aGandharbKambojcKashidMagadh
5. Prelims 1999Q78Post-Mauryan & Sangam Age

   The Indo-Greek kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century BC was

   aBactriabScythiacZedrasiadAria
6. Prelims 1998Q28Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire

   Assertion (A): According to Asoka’s edicts, social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion.

   Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion.

   aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of AbBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of AcA is true, but R is falsedA is false, but R is true
7. Prelims 1998Q36Buddhism, Jainism & Other Sects

   Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

   I.Lothal: Ancient dockyard

   II.Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha

   III.Rajgir: Lion capital of Asoka

   IV.Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

   Codes:

   aI, II, III and IVbIII and IVcI, II and IVdI and II
8. Prelims 1998Q41Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

   Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food grains to be utilised during the crises in the country?

   aSohagaura Copper-platebRumminidei pillar-edict of AsokacPrayaga-PrasastidMehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra
9. Prelims 1998Q45Buddhism, Jainism & Other Sects

   The concept of Eight-fold path forms the theme of

   aDipavamsabDivyavadanacMahaparinibbana SuttadDharma Chakkra Pravartana Sutta
10. Prelims 1998Q60Post-Mauryan & Sangam Age

    Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because

    aBuddhism was in the ascendant at that timebThey had renounced the policy of war and violencecCaste-ridden Hinduism did not attract themdBuddhism provided easier access to Indian society
11. Prelims 1998Q66Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

    The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts

    aI and XbI and XIcII and XIIIdII and XIV
12. Prelims 1998Q77Ancient Society, Economy & Science

    What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India?

    I.Gold coins

    II.Punch-marked silver coins

    III.Iron plough

    IV.Urban culture

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    aIII, IV, I, IIbIII, IV, II, IcIV, III, I, IIdIV, III, II, I
13. Prelims 1997Q62Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

    Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left?

    aBrahmibNandnagaricSharadadKharosthi
14. Prelims 1997Q77Post-Mauryan & Sangam Age

    Milindapanho is in the form of a dialogue between the King Menander and the Buddhist monk

    aNagasenabNagarjunacNagabhattadKumarilabhatta
15. Prelims 1997Q81Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

    Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Asoka?

    aKalsibRummindeicSpecial Kalinga EdictdMaski
16. Prelims 1997Q86Buddhism, Jainism & Other Sects

    In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was also known as

    aVajrapanibManjusricPadmapanidMaitreya
17. Prelims 1997Q90Gupta & Post-Gupta Age

    The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called

    arupakabkarshapanacdinaradpana
18. Prelims 1997Q98Ancient Society, Economy & Science

    Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?

    aChaturvedi MangalambParishadcAshtadikgajadManigrama
19. Prelims 1997Q102Inscriptions, Coins & Foreign Travellers

    The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be

    a601b300c330d407
20. Prelims 1996Q28Vedic Period

    The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is

    aSindhubSutudricSarasvatidGanga