Which one of the following does not find mention in the works of the astronomers of ancient India?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Not in ancient Indian astronomers' works → Uranus (discovered 1781)
- Home
- PYQ Explorer
- History
- Gupta Empire
History · Ancient
Gupta Empire: 79 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 79 questions on Gupta Empire between 1979 and 2026: CSE 29 · CDS 23 · CAPF 10 · NDA 6 · CISF (LDCE) 5 · Geo-Scientist 5 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 50 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 29 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.
Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.
The Bower Manuscript is known for being a valuable source on which one of the following subjects in ancient India?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Bower Manuscript → source on medicine
Consider the following statements about the Gupta administrative system : 1. The Gupta kings assumed imperial titles such as Maharajadhiraja, Parama-bhattaraka and Parameshvara. 2. The Gupta kings also connected themselves with the Gods through epithets such as Parama-daivata and Parama-bhagavata. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Gupta kings → imperial titles Maharajadhiraja, Parama-bhattaraka, Parameshvara | Gupta kings → divine epithets Parama-daivata, Parama-bhagavata
Who among the following classical poets is the author of the book Kiratarjuniyam ?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Kiratarjuniyam → Bharavi
Consider the following statements about Ajanta Cave paintings: 1. The paintings depict yakshas, gandharvas and apsaras. 2. The artists have used the technique of providing ―multiple perspectives‖. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Ajanta paintings → yakshas, gandharvas and apsaras | Ajanta artists → technique of multiple perspectives
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Fa-hien (Faxian) → reign of Chandragupta II
How many of the following statements regarding medicine and related practices in medieval India is/are correct? 1. Indian medicine of the Graeco-Arabic tradition (Tibb-i-Yunani) was almost identical in its practice with contemporary Persian medicine. 2. Harvey‘s discovery of the circulation of blood was explained to a scholarly noble by European traveller Francois Bernier. 3. The practice of smallpox inoculation was described in contemporary Yunani and Ayurvedic texts. Select the correct answer.
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Bernier explained Harvey's discovery of blood circulation to a noble | Smallpox inoculation → described in Yunani and Ayurvedic texts | NOT: Tibb-i-Yunani almost identical to Persian medicine
Which among the following was not a member of the Adhishthana Adhikarana of Kotivarsha in the Gupta period?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Not a member of Kotivarsha's Adhishthana Adhikarana → Mahattara (of: Sarthavaha, Mahattara, Prathama-kayastha, Prathama-kulika)
What is Hallisalasya as depicted in Bagh cave paintings?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Hallisalasya (Bagh cave paintings) → a folk dance form
One of the frequent representations of Shri Lakshmi in sculpture is in her Gaja-Lakshmi form. Consider the following statements about such Gaja-Lakshmi form : 1. The goddess sits or stands on a lotus. 2. She is flanked by two swans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Gaja-Lakshmi → sits or stands on a lotus | Flanked by two elephants, not swans
Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Work of playwright Bhasa → Madhyama-vyayoga
Consider the following statements about Ajanta paintings : 1. The surface of the rock was coated with clay mixed with rice husk and gum and a coat of lime was applied over this. 2. The outline drawing was done first on the lime coating and colours were added subsequently. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Ajanta: rock coated with clay, rice husk and gum, then lime | Outline drawn first on lime, colours added later
The ancient Indian medical treatise for horses called Ashvashastra is attributed to which one of the following persons ?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Ashvashastra (horse medicine) → sage Shalihotra
Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The Bakshali Manuscript written in the Gatha language (a refined version of old Prakrit) using the Sharada script deals with topics such as fractions, square roots, arithmetic and geometric progressions. 2. In the field of geometry, Aryabhatta described the various properties of a circle giving a very accurate value for pi (π) correct to four decimal places at 3.1416. 3. Sharangadhara Samhita is an important text on political system of ancient India. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Bakshali Manuscript → Gatha language, Sharada script; fractions, square roots, progressions | Aryabhatta → pi as 3.1416 | Sharangadhara Samhita → Ayurvedic (pharmaceutical) text, not political
Where is the famous Gupta period Deogarh Temple situated ?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Gupta period Deogarh Temple → Uttar Pradesh
Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad ?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Inscription calling the king the Supreme Being → Samudragupta (Prayaga Prashasti)
Consider the following statements : 1. Ajanta paintings depict stories from the Jatakas. 2. Ajanta paintings depict scenes of court-life, processions, men and women at work, festivals, etc. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Ajanta paintings → stories from the Jatakas | Ajanta paintings → court-life, processions, men and women at work, festivals
The typical Nagara style Shikhara is visible in which one of the following temples?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Typical Nagara style Shikhara → Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs : Literary work Author 1. Devichandragupta Bilhana 2. Hammira-Mahakavya Nayachandra Suri 3. Milinda-panha Nagarjuna 4. Nitivakyamrita Somadeva Suri How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Hammira-Mahakavya → Nayachandra Suri | Nitivakyamrita → Somadeva Suri | Devichandragupta → Vishakhadatta, not Bilhana | Milinda-panha → Nagasena–Menander dialogue, not Nagarjuna
Who among the following composed the „Prayag Prashasti‟ of Samudragupta ?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta → Harishena
Who among the following was the author of the famous Sanskrit work 'Mrichchhakatika‟ ?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Mrichchhakatika → Shudraka
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Literary Work): A. Data Ghatotkacha; B. Mrichchhakatikam; C. Kiratarjuniyam; D. Ravanavadha List II (Author): 1. Bhatti; 2. Bhasa; 3. Shudraka; 4. Bharavi
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Duta Ghatotkacha → Bhasa | Mrichchhakatikam → Shudraka | Kiratarjuniyam → Bharavi | Ravanavadha → Bhatti
The legend of Prahlad and his father Hiranyakashyap was first set out in the
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap first set out in → Vishnu Purana
Which one of the following was composed by Harishena?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Composed by Harishena → Prayaga Prashasti of Samudragupta
Who among the following is the author of the Hastyayurveda ?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Hastyayurveda (elephant diseases) → Palakapya
The book, Kalila wa Dimna is an Arabic translation of the
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Kalila wa Dimna → Arabic translation of the Panchatantra
Which one of the following pairs of authors and Sanskrit literary works is not correctly matched?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Somadeva → Kathasaritsagara | Ashvaghosha → Buddhacharita | Bilhana → Vikramankadeva charita | Vasavadatta → Subandhu, not Kalidasa
Who among the following ancient Indian kings was praised in glowing terms in the Prayaga Prashasti ?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Praised in glowing terms in Prayaga Prashasti → Samudragupta
Narayan Pandit’s Hitopadesha is considered to be another version of
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Narayan Pandit's Hitopadesha → another version of the Panchatantra
Which one of the following inscriptions records the history of a guild of silk weavers?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)History of a guild of silk weavers → Mandasor Inscription
Which one of the following statements is correct?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Ajanta Caves → gorge of the Waghora river
Who among the following is the author of the Kiratarjuniya?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Kiratarjuniya → Bharavi
Which one of the following statements about the famous text of Panchatantra is correct?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Panchatantra → shows through illustration what should and should not be done (nidarshana)
Which one of the following statements about Gupta coins is not correct?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Gupta kings → many gold Dinars | Silver coins → Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, Skandagupta, Budhagupta | Obverse king, reverse deity | Gupta copper coins → rare, not the largest number
The life-size terracotta images of Ganga and Yamuna dating to the period 300-600 AD have been found at:
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Life-size terracotta Ganga and Yamuna (300-600 AD) → Ahichchhatra, Uttar Pradesh
Chronologically arrange the following Sanskrit texts (starting from the earliest): 1. Brihat Samhita of Varahmihir 2. Sushrut Samhita 3. Ashtadhyayi of Panini 4. Natyashastra of Bharat Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Earliest first → Ashtadhyayi of Panini → Sushrut Samhita → Natyashastra of Bharat → Brihat Samhita of Varahmihir
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?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Kalidasa → Chandra Gupta-II | Amarasimha → court of Chandra Gupta-II, not Harshavardhana | Panini → 6th-4th Century BCE, not Pushyamitra Shunga
Which one of the following statements about Allahabad Prashasti is correct ?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Allahabad Prashasti → Gupta empire as epicentre of a complex web of varied political relationships
Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period is NOT correct ?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Saurashtra → part of the Gupta Empire (annexed by Chandragupta II from the Western Kshatrapas)
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Type of Land): A. Urvara; B. Maru; C. Nadimatrika; D. Devamatrika List-II (Meaning, lettered A-D in source; codes count them 1-4): 1. Land watered by a river; 2. Fertile land; 3. Land watered by rain; 4. Desert land
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Urvara → fertile land | Maru → desert land | Nadimatrika → land watered by a river | Devamatrika → land watered by rain
Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian History is not correct?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Gupta women → status deteriorated; lacked property rights (only stridhana)
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Bodhisattva Padmapani painting → Ajanta
Which of the following statements is/are true? A. Faxian‘s ‗Gaoseng Faxian zhuan‘ was the earliest first hand Chinese account of Buddhist sites and practices in India. B. Faxian was only 25 years old at the time of writing the text. C. Faxian‘s main aim in coming to India was to obtain and take back texts containing monastic rules. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Gaoseng Faxian zhuan → earliest first-hand Chinese account of Buddhist sites in India | Faxian's aim → texts with monastic rules | NOT: Faxian was only 25 when writing (he left China over 60 years old)
Which one among the following statements about the coins of the Gupta rulers is correct?
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Gupta coins → obverse king's portrait, reverse deity or motif
Which one among the following was not an attribute of Samudragupta described in Prayag Prashasti?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Not an attribute of Samudragupta in Prayag Prashasti → accomplished sculptor (of: the four options)
Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of the Sunga dynasty?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Love story of the son of the Sunga founder → Malavikagnimitra (Kalidasa)
What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the same period, 2. Both belong to the same religious denomination, 3. Both have rock-cut monuments. Select the correct answer using the code given below,
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Common to Ajanta and Mahabalipuram → rock-cut monuments only (different periods, different religious denominations)
What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the same period. 2. Both belong to the same religious denomination. 3. Both have rock-cut monuments. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Common to Ajanta and Mahabalipuram → rock-cut monuments only (different periods, different religious denominations)
Amarasimha is the name of a :
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Amarasimha → famous lexicographer (Amara-Kosha)
The Dashakumaracharita or Tales of Ten Princes' was composed by
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Dashakumaracharita (Tales of Ten Princes) → Dandin
The University of Nalanda was set-up by which Gupta ruler?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Nalanda University → set up by Kumaragupta I
In the Gupta age, Varahamihira wrote the famous book, „Brihat Samhita‟. It was a treatise on
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Brihat Samhita (Varahamihira) → treatise on astronomy
Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Ajanta Caves and Lepakshi Temple → mural paintings (Sanchi Stupa not)
The famous terra-cotta images of rivers Ganga and Yamuna from the Gupta period have been found at
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Gupta terracotta images of Ganga and Yamuna → Ahichchhatra
Which among the following statements regarding the Gupta Dynasty is/are correct? 1. The Kumaramatyas were the most important of the and they were appointed directly by the king in the home provinces. 2. The village headmen lost importance and of the transactions began to be effected without their consent. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Kumaramatyas → most important officers, appointed by the king in home provinces | Village headmen → became more important, not less
With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct? 1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by the 1st century AD. 2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of the 3rd century AD. 3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in the 5th century AD. 4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in the 7th century AD. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Specialized surgical instruments → common use by 1st century AD | Sine of an angle → known in 5th century AD | Cyclic quadrilaterals → known in 7th century AD | NOT: transplant of internal organs had begun by 3rd century AD
The Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar draws attention of scientists due to its [2011-II]
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar → 'restlessness' (rust-resistance of its metal)
Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The Ajanta caves have been painted with scenes from Jainism, 2. The crowning achievements of Ellora caves is the colossal monolithic Kailasanath temple. 3. The Ajanta caves have been built over a period of eight centuries by different rulers. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Ellora's crowning achievement → monolithic Kailasanath temple | Ajanta → Buddhist, not Jaina scenes | NOT: Ajanta built over eight centuries
Which two of the following plays did Kalidasa write before writing Abhigyanashakuntalam ? 1. Vikramorvashiyam 2. Malavikagnimitram 3. Swapnavasavadattam. 4. Kadambari Select the correct answe'r using the code given below :
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Kalidasa's plays before Abhigyanashakuntalam → Vikramorvashiyam and Malavikagnimitram
There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Other surviving Gupta cave paintings (besides Ajanta) → Bagh caves
Fahien‟s mission to India was to
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Fahien's mission → visit Buddhist institutions and collect Buddhist manuscripts
The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Allahabad Pillar inscription → Samudragupta
Mrichch hakatika' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with: [2003]
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Mrichchhakatika (Shudraka) → love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
Dhanvantari was
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Dhanvantari → physician in the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya
The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutta has its subject on
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Mudrarakshasa (Visakhadatta) → court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya
The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Gupta silver coins → Rupaka
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I List II A. Varahamihira 1. Prabandha Chintamani B. Visakhadatta 2. Mrchchhakatikam C. Sudraka 3. Brhat-Samhita D. Bilhana 4. Devi Chandraguptam 5. Vikramankadevacharita Codes A B C D
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Varahamihira → Brhat-Samhita | Visakhadatta → Devi Chandraguptam | Sudraka → Mrchchhakatikam | Bilhana → Vikramankadevacharita
Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Known for work on medicine (of: Saumilla, Sudraka, Shaunaka, Susrutha) → Susrutha
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists List I List II A. Visakhadatta 1. Medicine B. Varahamihira 2. Drama C. Charaka 3. Astronomy D. Brahmagupta 4. Mathematic Codes A B C D
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Visakhadatta → Drama | Varahamihira → Astronomy | Charaka → Medicine | Brahmagupta → Mathematics
In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Gupta Sanskrit plays → women and sudras speak Prakrit
The name of the poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Poet Kalidasa mentioned in → Aihole inscription
Toramana belonged to the ethnic horde of the
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Toramana → Hunas (Alchon Huns)
Who among the following is NOT associated with medicine in India?
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Not associated with medicine → Bhaskaracharya (mathematician-astronomer) (of: Dhanvantri, Bhaskaracharya, Charaka, Susruta)
Fresco paintings in the Ajanta Caves were done, while which of the following dynasties was flourishing?
Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Ajanta fresco paintings → Guptas flourishing
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Chandragupta Vikramaditya → killed the Saka | Samudragupta → Indian Napoleon | Skandagupta → defeated Huns | Sudarshana Lake embankment → restored under Skandagupta, not Kumaragupta
Ajanta paintings depict
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Ajanta paintings → depict Jatakas
Ancient Indian art and architecture reached its zenith during the period of
Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Ancient Indian art and architecture reached its zenith → Guptas
The philosophical systems of the Hindus were propounded and properly codified in the
Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Hindu philosophical systems propounded and codified → Gupta age
The worship of idols started in India in
Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Verified fact to follow.
Related topics
Prehistory & Stone Age · 22Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization · 65Vedic Age & Later Vedic Society · 48Mahajanapadas, Magadha & Nandas · 29Buddhism, Jainism & Other Sramana Movements · 100Mauryan Empire · 72Post-Mauryan Dynasties & Foreign Invaders · 69Sangam Age & Early Tamil Kingdoms · 20Harsha, Vakatakas & Post-Gupta Period · 20Society, Economy, Administration & Law (Ancient) · 35Foreign Contacts, Trade & Cultural Expansion (Ancient) · 19