IAS History — Ancient History previous year questions with solutions.
Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a 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?
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.
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.
With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: Famous shrine | Location 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex | Spiti Valley 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako | Zanskar Valley 3. Alchi temple complex | Ladakh Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
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 codes given below.
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.
Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul. 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 3. Denial of efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct? 1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD. 2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD. 3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD. 4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them. 2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild. 3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements : 1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others. 2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.
Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements : 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times? 1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism. 2. Invading tribes, from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists. 3. Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?
Mahamastakabhisheka, a great religious event, is associated with and done for who of the following?
What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutras) relate to?
Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire?
Consider the following statements: 1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism. 2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statement(s) given above is, are correct?
Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?