UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 17: Gupta Society, Literature, Science and Art (23 MCQs)

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UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 17: Gupta Society, Literature, Science and Art (23 MCQs) – 23 questions, subject: History. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The author of the Aryabhatiya stated that he worked at:

Correct Answer: B [Kusumapura]

Explanation:

In the Aryabhatiya, Aryabhata says he set out his knowledge at Kusumapura, the area of Pataliputra (Patna).

2.  

The Mrichchhakatika was written by:

Correct Answer: A [Shudraka]

Explanation:

Shudraka wrote the Mrichchhakatika, "The Little Clay Cart", a play about town life.

3.  

The earliest inscriptional evidence of sati comes from:

Correct Answer: D [Eran]

Explanation:

The Eran inscription of 510 CE records Goparaja's wife following him on the funeral pyre, the earliest inscriptional evidence of sati.

4.  

The Dashavatara temple is at:

Correct Answer: C [Deogarh]

Explanation:

The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh) has a panchayatana plan and panels of Vishnu on Sheshanaga and Gajendramoksha.

5.  

The Mudrarakshasa was written by:

Correct Answer: D [Vishakhadatta]

Explanation:

Vishakhadatta wrote the political plays Mudrarakshasa and Devichandraguptam.

6.  

The Brihat Samhita is a work of:

Correct Answer: D [Varahamihira]

Explanation:

Varahamihira wrote the Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia of astronomy, geography and other subjects, besides the Pancha Siddhantika.

7.  

The brick temple with a tall shikhara and terracotta panels is at:

Correct Answer: C [Bhitargaon]

Explanation:

Bhitargaon in Uttar Pradesh has a Gupta-age brick temple with a tall shikhara decorated with terracotta panels.

8.  

The great Varaha panel of the Gupta age is found at:

Correct Answer: D [Udayagiri (Vidisha)]

Explanation:

The Udayagiri caves near Vidisha have the great Varaha panel and an inscription of Chandragupta II's time.

9.  

The Amarakosha is a:

Correct Answer: C [Sanskrit lexicon]

Explanation:

Amarasimha's Amarakosha is a Sanskrit lexicon, a thesaurus of Sanskrit words arranged by subject.

10.  

Consider the following statements about Gupta-age religion:

1. The Gupta kings called themselves Paramabhagavata.
2. The Puranas were compiled in their present form.
3. Image worship declined in this period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Gupta kings styled themselves Paramabhagavata and the Puranas took their present form, while image worship grew rather than declined.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Gupta age saw the first free-standing Hindu temples.

Reason (R): Image worship in temples became central to Puranic Hinduism.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Free-standing shrines were built to house the cult images whose worship became central to Puranic Hinduism, so R explains A.

12.  

The main phase of the Ajanta paintings was patronised by the:

Correct Answer: C [Vakatakas]

Explanation:

The main painted caves of Ajanta, such as 1, 2, 16 and 17, were made under Vakataka patronage in the fifth century.

13.  

The Sarnath school of sculpture is known for Buddha images with:

Correct Answer: D [thin, transparent robes without folds]

Explanation:

Sarnath Buddhas show a calm face, downcast eyes and a thin, transparent robe clinging to the body without folds.

14.  

The Dayabhaga school of Hindu law was written by:

Correct Answer: C [Jimutavahana]

Explanation:

Jimutavahana wrote the Dayabhaga, the school of Hindu family law followed in Bengal.

15.  

The Pancha Siddhantika summarises:

Correct Answer: D [five astronomical systems]

Explanation:

Varahamihira's Pancha Siddhantika summarises five astronomical systems (siddhantas) known in his time.

16.  

Rules for operations with zero were set out in the Brahmasphutasiddhanta by:

Correct Answer: A [Brahmagupta]

Explanation:

Brahmagupta's Brahmasphutasiddhanta (628 CE) gave rules for operations with zero and negative numbers.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Brahmasphutasiddhanta
2. Aryabhatiya
3. Aryabhata satellite
4. Eran sati inscription

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

Order: Aryabhatiya (499) → Eran sati inscription (510) → Brahmasphutasiddhanta (628 CE) → Aryabhata satellite (1975).

18.  

The Padmapani Bodhisattva is a famous painting in:

Correct Answer: B [Ajanta Cave 1]

Explanation:

The Padmapani Bodhisattva is the famous Vakataka-period painting in Ajanta Cave 1.

19.  

Under the Mitakshara system, sons gain a right in ancestral property:

Correct Answer: B [by birth]

Explanation:

Under the Mitakshara, sons acquire a right in ancestral property by birth, during the father's lifetime.

20.  

The Buddhist logician said to have been born near Kanchi is:

Correct Answer: A [Dinnaga]

Explanation:

Dinnaga, the Buddhist logician, is said to have been born near Kanchi in the south.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?

Correct Answer: C [Madhyama-vyayoga]

Explanation:

Madhyama-vyayoga, a one-act play based on the Mahabharata, is among the thirteen plays attributed to Bhasa.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: B [2 only]

Explanation:

the schools differ by region, not caste, and both deal with property of men and women.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C [3 only]

Explanation:

Only statement 3 is correct: Kalidasa is traditionally linked with Chandragupta II; Panini and Amarasimha are wrongly paired.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U01 · Ancient India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-ancient-india

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