IAS History — Ancient History previous year questions with solutions.
Breakdown of the 121 Ancient History questions tagged to a subtopic, by year — darker cells mean more questions.
| Subtopic | Weightage | Total | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2006 |
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Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: 1. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. 2. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered. 3. 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:
Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: 1. 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. 2. 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:
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| Jainism And Buddhism | 27.3% | 33 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
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| The Rise Of Guptas Empire | 16.5% | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Mauryan Empire & The Ashoka | 12.4% | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vedic Culture: Rig-Vedic | 8.3% | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Early Historic South India & Sangam Age | 6.6% | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mahajanapadas & Rise Of Magadh Empire | 6.6% | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indus Valley Civilization | 5.0% | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Post-Guptas: Rise Of Harshavardhana | 5.0% | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Post Mauryan: Sungas And Kanwas | 4.1% | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pallavas & Chalukyas: Southern India (300-750 AD) | 3.3% | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vedic Culture: Post-Vedic Age | 3.3% | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-Historic India | 1.7% | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| All subtopics | 121 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 7 |
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With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
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