UPPSC Prelims Ancient History PYQs (2018–2025) with Answers & Explanations
UPPSC PCS Prelims asked 33 Ancient History questions between 2018–2025. Reading them together shows which topics keep returning and how examiners frame them.
Four Buddhist Councils were held at the following places. Arrange them in correct chronological order and select the correct answer from the code given below.
1. Vaishali
2. Rajagriha
3. Kundalvana
4. Pataliputra
Code:
(a) 1, 2, 4, 3
(b) 2, 1, 3, 4
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
Buddhist councils: first at Rajagriha (c. 483 BCE), second at Vaishali (c. 383 BCE), third at Pataliputra (c. 250 BCE, Ashoka) and fourth at Kundalavana, Kashmir (Kanishka). Order: 2, 1, 4, 3.
Consider the following statements with reference to early trade:
1. There are references of numerous river-ports in ancient India.
2. There were large entrepots of goods and traffic.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Only 1
(d) Only 2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both 1 and 2
Ancient texts mention many river ports (such as Champa, Tamralipti and Pratishthana) and large entrepots where goods were collected and redistributed. Both statements are correct.
Consider the following statements with respect to Ashoka:
1. The definition of Dhamma given by Ashoka is taken from "Rahulovada-sutta".
2. In the 14th year of his coronation, Ashoka appointed a new type of staff, called Dhamma-mahamatras.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Only 1
(d) Only 2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both 1 and 2
Standard books state that Ashoka's definition of Dhamma follows the Buddha's advice in the Rahulovada Sutta, and that he created the Dhamma-mahamatras in the 14th year of his reign (Rock Edict V says 'thirteen years after consecration'). Both statements are taken as correct; verify.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
Which of the following pairs (School of Thought - Proponent) is correctly matched?
(a) Vaisheshika - Patanjali
(b) Mimansa - Kanada
(c) Nyaya - Gautama
(d) Uttara Mimansa - Kapila
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Nyaya - Gautama
Nyaya – Gautama (Akshapada). Vaisheshika is by Kanada, Yoga by Patanjali, Purva Mimamsa by Jaimini, Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta) by Badarayana and Sankhya by Kapila.
With reference to Chandragupta-II which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The strongest evidence in the context of Shaka Victory is the silver coins of this King.
2. The weight of these coins used to be about 33 grains.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Code:
(a) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Only 2
(d) Only 1
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Both 1 and 2
Chandragupta II's silver coins, issued in the style of the Western Kshatrapas after he conquered them, are the strongest evidence of his Shaka victory. They weighed about 30–35 grains (around 33). Both statements are taken as correct.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
Which of the following Rock Edict of Ashoka speaks of religious synthesis?
(a) Rock Edict - XI
(b) Rock Edict - XII
(c) Rock Edict - XIII
(d) Rock Edict - II
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Rock Edict - XII
Major Rock Edict XII asks for respect for all sects and restraint in speech (vachaguti), so that the essence of all religions grows; it is Ashoka's edict on religious tolerance.
Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Ishanverman - Harha stone inscription
(b) Sarvaverman - Gaya Copper Plate
(c) Jivit Gupta-Second - Deva Barnark inscription
(d) Ishwarverman - Jaunpur Stone inscription
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Sarvaverman - Gaya Copper Plate
The Gaya copper plate belongs to Samudragupta, not the Maukhari Sarvavarman (known from the Asirgarh seal). Harha – Ishanavarman, Deo-Baranark – Jivitagupta II and Jaunpur – Ishvaravarman are correct.
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists.
List-I (Officer)
A. Talar
B. Pattakola
C. Sahsadhipati
D. Baladhip
List-II (Duty)
1. Guard of Octroi
2. Officer of cases of robbery and theft
3. Officer of Night Guards
4. Village Tax Collector
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 4 3 1 2
(d) 3 4 2 1
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 3 4 2 1
In early medieval inscriptions: Talar (talara) – officer of night guards; Pattakila – village headman who collected taxes; Sahasadhipati – officer for cases of violent crime (robbery, theft); Baladhipa – guard in charge of octroi posts. Code 3 4 2 1.
With reference to the Satavahana Rulers which of the following statement/s is/are true?
1. The Satavahana Kings were the nurtures of Prakrit language.
2. Public aspect of the arts got more encouragement during the Satavahana period.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Only 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Both 1 and 2
The Satavahanas patronised Prakrit (their inscriptions, and Hala's Gathasaptashati), and their period saw popular, public art such as Amaravati and the Sanchi gateways.
Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?
(Tirthankar) - (Nirvan Place)
(a) Rishabhanath - Ashtapad
(b) Vasupujya - Sammedashikhar
(c) Neminath - Urjayanta
(d) Mahavira - Pavapuri
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Vasupujya - Sammedashikhar
Vasupujya attained nirvana at Champapuri (Champa), not Sammed Shikhar. Rishabhanatha (Ashtapada), Neminatha (Urjayanta/Girnar) and Mahavira (Pavapuri) are correct.
The official 'Agronomai' during Mauryan age was related with which of the following field?
(a) Weight and measurement
(b) Administrative management
(c) Construction of roads
(d) Revenue management
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Construction of roads
According to Megasthenes, the agronomoi were district officials who looked after roads (building them and setting up milestones), irrigation and land measurement. The astynomoi were city officials.
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): We have much more information about Cholas than their predecessors.
Reason (R): The Chola rulers adopted the practice of having inscriptions written on the walls of temples giving a historical narrative of their victories.
Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
From Rajaraja I onwards, the Cholas prefixed their inscriptions with meykkirti (historical preambles listing conquests) and inscribed them on temple walls, so we know far more about them than about earlier dynasties.
Consider the following statements and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
1. The Sun temple of Multan is mentioned by Hiuen Tsang, Abuzaiyid, Al-Masudi and Alberuni.
2. The pilgrimage to Sambapur was associated with Sun worship.
Codes:
(a) Only 1 is correct
(b) Only 2 is correct
(c) Both 1 and 2 are correct
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 are correct
The Multan sun temple is described by Hiuen Tsang, Abu Zaid, al-Masudi and Alberuni. Multan was the ancient Sambapura, linked with Samba's sun cult, and its pilgrimage festival was a sun-worship event.
Which of the following is a Samhita of Shukla Yajurveda?
(a) Vajasanami
(b) Maitrayani
(c) Taittiriya
(d) Kathak
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Vajasanami
The Vajasaneyi Samhita (Madhyandina and Kanva recensions) belongs to the Shukla (White) Yajurveda. Maitrayani, Taittiriya and Kathaka belong to the Krishna (Black) Yajurveda.
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below.
List-I (Samudra Gupta's Contemporary Kings of South India) | List-II (Their Kingdoms)
A. Dhananjaya - 1. Avamukta
B. Nilaraja - 2. Kanchi
C. Ugrasena - 3. Kusthalpura
D. Vishnugopa - 4. Palaka
Code:
(a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
(c) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
(d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
The Allahabad Pillar inscription lists Dhananjaya of Kusthalapura, Nilaraja of Avamukta, Ugrasena of Palakka and Vishnugopa of Kanchi: A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.
