Archaeological Sources UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz

1. Consider the following sentence regarding the literary sources available for reconstructing the ancient Indian history:

UPSC Archaeological sources
Correct! Wrong!

The majority of ancient literature is religious in nature, and those texts that Indians consider to be history, namely puranic and epic literature, lack specific dates for events and kings. Numerous inscriptions, coins, and local chronicles are indicative of an effort to write history. The Puranas and epics have preserved the fundamentals of history. There are genealogies of kings and occasionally their accomplishments. However, it is challenging to arrange them chronologically.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the sources for reconstructing the Ancient History of India:

UPSC PRelims Quiz
Correct! Wrong!

For reconstructing ancient India's history, we have access to a variety of sources. The sources for the history of ancient India can be broadly divided into two categories. The first is literary in nature, while the second is archaeological. In addition to foreign accounts, literary sources can include Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit literature. Under the broad heading of archaeology, we may consider epigraphic, numismatic, and architectural relics in addition to archaeological explorations and excavations that have revealed vast new vistas of knowledge.

3. Which one of following Upanishadas speaks about the ‘Parvati’?

Correct! Wrong!

The Goddess Parvati is benign mentioned in Keno Upanishad.

4. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

Screenshot 11 1
Correct! Wrong!

Panini's Ashtadhyayi, book on grammar in eight chapters is the final culmination of this excellent art of writing in sutra (precepts) in which every chapter is precisely interwoven. The Brahmanas elaborates vedic rituals of the society. The Aranyakas and the Upanishads give discourses on different spiritual and philosophical problems.

5. Which of the following branches of historical studies, considered to form the subject matter of the Puranas, is correctly matched?

UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz
Correct! Wrong!

The eighteen Puranas are primarily historical accounts. Considered to be the subject matter of the Puranas are five branches of historical studies. These are (I) sarga (universe's evolution), (ii) pratisarga (universe's involution), (iii) manvantantra (time's recurrence), (iv) vamsa (a genealogy of kings and sages), and (v) vamsanucharita (life stories of some selected characters).

6. Consider the following statements regarding the Dharmasutras and the Smritis:

UPSC Prelims literary sources
Correct! Wrong!

The Dharmasutras and the Smritis contain rules and regulations for the general populace and for the ruling class. It is comparable to the constitution and law books of the ancient Indian polity and society in the modern sense. These texts are also known as Dharmashastras. Between 600 and 200 B.C., they were compiled. The Manusmriti stands out among them.

7. Who among the following has written Mudrarakshasha, a play?

Correct! Wrong!

Vishakhadatta's historical play Mudrarakshasha describes the ascent of King Chandragupta Maurya and provides a glimpse of society and culture.

8. Who among the following has written Malavikagnimitram?

Correct! Wrong!

Malavikagnimitram is based on events that occurred during the reign of Pusyamitra Sunga, a dynasty that succeeded the Mauryas.

9. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding Sangam literature?

Correct! Wrong!

The Sangam literature describes numerous South Indian kings and dynasties. Sangama refers to collections of poetry compiled by a group of poets from different eras and patronized by numerous chiefs and kings. These 30,000 lines of poetry are organised into two main groups: Patinenkilkanakku and Pattupattu. The Sangam literature consists of short and long poems composed in praise of their kings by a large number of poets.

10. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the foreign accounts on ancient Indian history?

Correct! Wrong!

India is mentioned in foreign inscriptions, such as Darius'. Herodotus and Ctesias obtained their data from Persian sources. Herodotus' "History" contains a wealth of information regarding Indo-Persian relations. Arrian wrote a detailed account of Alexander's invasion of India based on information from those who participated in the campaign. The Greek kings dispatched ambassadors to Patliputra. There were Megasthenese, Deimachus, and Dionysios among them. Megasthenes was in Chandragupta Maurya's court. He authored a book titled Indica about India.

Archaeological Sources UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz

Share your Results:

Share This: