UPSC Prelims Ancient History previous year questions from 2024, with answers and explanations.
2024Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Buddhism & Jainism Teachings
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
Explanation: * Epithet 1 is incorrect: "Nayaputta" (or Jnatiputra) is a specific historical epithet used in early Jain and Buddhist literature to refer to Vardhamana Mahavira, not Gautama Buddha.
* Epithet 2 is correct: Gautama Buddha is widely addressed as "Shakyamuni" ("Sage of the Shakyas") denoting his birth lineage within the Shakya clan.
* Epithet 3 is correct: Buddha frequently used the term "Tathagata" ("Thus-come" or "Thus-gone") to describe himself and other enlightened ones in Pali and Sanskrit texts.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2024Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Prehistory & Indus Valley Civilization
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
Explanation: * Row 1 is incorrectly matched: Chandraketugarh is a historical archaeological site located in the Ganges Delta within the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, not Odisha.
* Row 2 is correctly matched: Inamgaon is a major, extensively excavated proto-historic Chalcolithic settlement located in the Bhima river valley in Maharashtra.
* Row 3 is correctly matched: Mangadu is a well-documented prehistoric Megalithic site in Kerala containing numerous typical burial structures.
* Row 4 is incorrectly matched: Salihundam in Andhra Pradesh is an ancient Buddhist stupa hill site featuring structural monuments like mahastupas, chaityas, and monasteries; it does not contain rock-cut cave shrines.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2024Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Vedic Culture & Ancient Literature
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
Explanation: * Statement 1 is incorrect: The Upanishads feature numerous allegorical parables, dialogues, and stories specifically structured to explain abstract Vedic philosophical concepts.
* Statement 2 is correct: The early core Upanishads are a part of late Vedic literature, composed during the later Vedic period (c. 800–500 BCE). The Puranas were composed significantly later, beginning around the early centuries of the Common Era.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2024Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQBuddhism & Jainism Teachings
Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:
A.Prajnaparamita Sutra
B.Visuddhimagga
C.Sarvastivada Vinaya
D.Lalitavistara
Explanation: * (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya is correct: India developed deep cultural and religious exchanges with China by sending Buddhist missionary monks. Monks like Kumarajiva and Sanghabhuti traveled to China to propagate texts, and Sanghabhuti authored an important commentary focusing specifically on the Sarvastivada Vinaya.
🔒 Verify your phone to reveal the answer & explanation