UPSC Prelims Ancient History previous year questions from 2025, with answers and explanations.
2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQSocio-Economic Life & Accounts
The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was:
A.a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
B.a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
C.a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
D.a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
Explanation: * (b) is correct: The 'ara-ghatta' originates from the blend of the Sanskrit words "ara" (spoke) and "ghatta" (pot).
* It refers to a large waterwheel featuring earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes, designed to lift water from open wells for the irrigation of land.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQDynastic History & Early Tamilakam
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?
A.Mahendravarman I
B.Simhavishnu
C.Narasimhavarman I
D.Simhavarman
Explanation: * (a) Mahendravarman I is correct: He was a Pallava king who ruled from 600 A.D. to 630 A.D. and assumed many titles such as 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta', and 'Gunabhara'.
* The Mandagappattu inscription hails him as Vichitrachitta because he constructed a temple for Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva without the use of bricks, timber, metal, and mortar. He was also a great scholar in the Sanskrit language and wrote the satirical drama Mattavilasa Prahasanam.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQSocio-Economic Life & Accounts
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of:
A.Samudragupta
B.Chandragupta II
C.Kumaragupta I
D.Skandagupta
Explanation: * (b) Chandragupta II is correct: The reign of Chandragupta II saw the high-water mark of the Gupta Empire, and he adopted the title of Vikramaditya.
* An important incident that took place during his reign was the visit of Fa-Hien, a Chinese pilgrim, who came to India in search of authentic Buddhist texts.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQDynastic History & Early Tamilakam
Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
A.Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
B.Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
C.Rajendra I (Chola)
D.Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
Explanation: * (c) Rajendra I (Chola) is correct: Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044 CE) succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I.
* He continued the policy of expansion, which included an expedition to the Ganges valley. Even more ambitious was Rajendra's overseas campaign involving both his army and his navy against the kingdom of Srivijaya in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand.
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2025Pairs/Matching (How Many Style)Mauryan Empire & Administration
With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs:
Territorial region : River flowing in the region
I. Asmaka : Godavari
II. Kamboja : Vipas
III. Avanti : Mahanadi
IV. Kosala : Sarayu
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A.Only one
B.Only two
C.Only three
D.All the four
Explanation: * Pair I is correctly matched: The Asmaka (or Assaka) kingdom was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, located in South India on the banks of the Godavari river.
* Pair II is not correctly matched: The Kamboja region was located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent (parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kashmir). The Vipas river (Beas) flows through the Punjab region, which is further east than the core course of Kamboja.
* Pair III is not correctly matched: The Avanti kingdom was located in West-Central India (Malwa region of present-day Madhya Pradesh) with its capital at Ujjain, while the Mahanadi river flows through Central and Eastern India (Chhattisgarh and Odisha).
* Pair IV is correctly matched: The Kosala kingdom was located in the Awadh region of present-day Uttar Pradesh, and the Sarayu river flows through this region, passing by Ayodhya.
* Therefore, exactly two pairs are correct.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQMauryan Empire & Administration
Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the:
A.village-level administration
B.district-level administration
C.provincial administration
D.level of the central administration
Explanation: * (b) district-level administration is correct: In Mauryan administration, a collection of districts formed a province. At the district level, the officials listed in inscriptions were the Pradeshika, Rajuka, and Yukta.
* The Pradeshika was the overall in-charge of the district. The Rajuka was responsible for the survey and assessment of land, while the Yukta was a junior officer giving secretarial assistance.
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2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQPrehistory & Indus Valley Civilization
The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of:
A.carnelian
B.clay
C.bronze
D.gold
Explanation: * (c) bronze is correct: The iconic 'Dancing Girl' figurine discovered at Mohenjo-daro is an outstanding 4-inch-tall masterpiece made entirely of bronze, representing the advanced metallurgical expertise of the Indus Valley Civilization.
* The artifact was manufactured approximately 4,500 years ago using the sophisticated lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue), showing a confident posture adorned with bangles.
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