Who among the following rulers from Kashmir is credited with having taken major steps to prevent the flood waters of Mahapadma Lake from damaging crops?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Flood control of Mahapadma Lake (Kashmir) → Avantivarman
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History · Medieval
Early Medieval North India (Rajputs, Palas, Pratiharas, Senas): 51 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 51 questions on Early Medieval North India (Rajputs, Palas, Pratiharas, Senas) between 1986 and 2026: CDS 14 · CSE 13 · CAPF 10 · CISF (LDCE) 6 · NDA 5 · Geo-Scientist 2 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 39 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 13 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.
With reference to the ancient architectural development in the hills of North Indian States, consider the following statements : 1. The temple ‗Garbhagriha‘ and ‗Shikhara‘ were made in a Rekha- prasada or Latina style. 2. The Pandrethan Temple in Kashmir is built on a plinth in the middle of a tank. 3. The Jageshwar Temple is located in Garhwal region. 4. The Lakshana Devi Mandir shows the influence of the post-Gupta tradition. How many statements given above are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Hill temples → Garbhagriha and Shikhara in Rekha-prasada (Latina) style | Pandrethan (Kashmir) → on a plinth in a tank | Lakshana Devi Mandir → post-Gupta influence | Jageshwar → Kumaon, not Garhwal
Consider the following pairs : King Dynasty : Pala 1. Lakshmikarna : Chalukyas of Gujarat 2. Bhima I : Shahiya dynasty 3. Jayapala : Utpala dynasty of Kashmir 4. Lalitaditya Muktapida How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Bhima I → Chalukyas of Gujarat | Jayapala → Shahiya dynasty | Lakshmikarna → Kalachuri of Tripuri, not Pala
With reference to the history of Orissa, consider the following statements : 1. Anantavarman Chodaganga consolidated Orissa into a powerful kingdom and was patron of Sanskrit and Telugu literature. 2. Anantavarman Chodaganga built the great temple of the Sun God at Konark in Puri district. 3. Narasimha I effectively checked the external invasion and maintained prosperity in the kingdom. How many statements given above are correct?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Anantavarman Chodaganga → consolidated Orissa; patron of Sanskrit and Telugu literature | Narasimha I → checked external invasion, kept prosperity | Konark → built by Narasimha I, not Anantavarman Chodaganga
Consider the following statements about the literary language Apabhramsha : 1. It appeared in recognizable forms by the sixth century. 2. It developed out of mixtures of regional vernaculars with the Prakrits and Sanskrit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Apabhramsha → recognizable by the sixth century | Developed from regional vernaculars mixed with Prakrits and Sanskrit
Consider the following statements about the use of stirrup in India : 1. The Konarak horse sculpture (c. 1250) shows a ring-stirrup. 2. A broad, probably wooden, stirrup appears in Khajuraho sculptures (probably 10th century). 3. The iron-stirrup was used in the Delhi Sultans‘ armies from the thirteenth century onwards. How many of the above statements is/are correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Konarak horse sculpture (c. 1250) → ring-stirrup | Khajuraho (10th century) → broad wooden stirrup | Iron stirrup → Delhi Sultans' armies from thirteenth century
Which one among the following is popularly known as the Black Pagoda ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Black Pagoda → Sun Temple at Konark
The Ramacharita, an example of dvyasrya-kavya, telling two stories simultaneously, was written by
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ramacharita (dvyasrya-kavya) → Sandhyakara (Nandi)
The Ramacharita, an example of dvyasrya-kavya, telling two stories simultaneously, was written by
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ramacharita (dvyasrya-kavya) → Sandhyakara (Nandi)
Consider the following pairs of texts and their subjects : 1. Tilakmanjari : Mathematics 2. Nighantu : Medicine 3. Janakiharan : Logic Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Nighantu → medicine | Tilakmanjari (Dhanpal) → literature, not mathematics | Janakiharan (Kumaradasa) → Sanskrit Mahakavya, not logic
Man Kautuhal, a work on music, was prepared under the aegis of
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Man Kautuhal → Raja Man Singh of Gwalior
Consider the following statements about Rana Kumbha of Mewar : 1. He wrote a commentary on Jayadeva‘s Gitagovinda. 2. He wrote four dramas in which he is said to have made use of four provincial languages. 3. He erected Kirtistambha in Chitor in commemoration of his victory over Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Rana Kumbha → commentary on Gitagovinda (Rasikapriya) | Four dramas in four provincial languages | Kirtistambha at Chitor for victory over Gujarat
Who propounded Kashmir Shaivism?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Kashmir Shaivism propounded by → Vasugupta
Consider the following statements with reference to the Utpala dynasty of Kashmir : 1. Avantivarman, the founder, devoted his energies to the economic upliftment of his subjects. 2. Avantivarman‘s period in Kashmir is known for the engineering operations under his minister Suyya, resulting in the enormous increase of grains and fall in prices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Avantivarman (Utpala founder) → economic upliftment of subjects | Minister Suyya's engineering → grain increase, fall in prices
Who among the following has written three works on the science of music called Sangriaraja, Sangria Mimansa and Sudha Prabandha ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Sangriaraja, Sangria Mimansa, Sudha Prabandha → Maharana Kumbha of Mewar
Which one of the following texts is a commentary written by Chakrapanidatta (11 Century CE from Bengal) on the Sushrut Samhita ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Chakrapanidatta's commentary on Sushrut Samhita → Bhanumati
Who was the author of the Gwalior Prashasti of Mihira Bhoja ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Gwalior Prashasti of Mihira Bhoja → Baladitya
The Sahajiya Cult, which can be traced back to 10th and 11th centuries, is usually associated with :
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Sahajiya Cult (10th-11th centuries) → Buddhism
Who among the following is the author of the book ‘Rajtarangini’ ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Rajtarangini → Kalhana
Who among the following is the author of the book „Rajtarangini‟ ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Rajtarangini → Kalhana
Who among the following was the first elected King of the Pala Dynasty in Kamarupa?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)First elected Pala king of Kamarupa → Brahmapala
Yashovarman was ruler of which one of the following kingdoms ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Yashovarman → Kannauj
Who among the following is credited with the introduction and popularization of Dhrupad form of music?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Introduction and popularisation of Dhrupad → Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior
Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not a Shaiva tantric sect → Sahajiyas (of: Sahajiyas, Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, Nathas)
Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not a Shaiva tantric sect → Sahajiyas (of: Sahajiyas, Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, Nathas)
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? 1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines. 2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni. 3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Somnath → one of the Jyotirlinga shrines | Described by Al-Biruni | Jyotirling installed by President Rajendra Prasad, not Radhakrishnan
Consider the following pairs: King Dynasty 1. Nannuka Chandela 2. Jayashakti Paramara 3. Nagabhata II Gurjara-Pratihara 4. Bhoja Rashtrakuta How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Nannuka → Chandela | Nagabhata II → Gurjara-Pratihara | Jayashakti → Chandela, not Paramara | Bhoja → Paramara, not Rashtrakuta
The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one of the following topics?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Lekhapaddhati (13th Century) → legal documents
Which one of the following pairs of author and literary work is correctly matched?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Kalhana → Rajatarangini | Ramacharita → Sandhyakar Nandi, not Banabhatta | Chand Bardai → Prithviraj Raso
With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, Kshemeshvara → playwrights
With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements : 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 2. It is the only circular temple built in India. 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. 4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Chausath Yogini Temple (Morena) → circular, Kachchhapaghata dynasty | Believed inspiration for Indian Parliament building | NOT: the only circular temple in India | Central shrine → Shiva, not Vaishnava
Which one of the following is the correct description of Kandaria Mahadeo ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Kandaria Mahadeo → a temple at Khajuraho
Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman - I 3. Establishment of Chola Parantaka - I 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Earliest first → Mahendravarman-I Pallava (590-630 CE) → Pala dynasty by Gopala (750 CE) → Pratihara Bhoja (836-885 CE) → Chola Parantaka-I (907-953 CE)
Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman - I 3. Establishment of Chola Parantaka - I 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Earliest first → Mahendravarman-I Pallava (590-630 CE) → Pala dynasty by Gopala (750 CE) → Pratihara Bhoja (836-885 CE) → Chola Parantaka-I (907-953 CE)
Which one of the following musicians served at the courts of Raja Man Singh Tomar and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Musician at courts of Man Singh Tomar and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat → Baiju Bawra
Which twelfth century Sanskrit scholar was first responsible for the compilation of „Nibandhas‟ or digests of epic and Puranic texts?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)First compiler of Nibandhas (twelfth century) → Lakshmidhara
Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarkantak 3. Omkareshwar Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Sun temple → Arasavalli (Amarkantak, Omkareshwar not)
Consider the following statements 1. Abhinavagupta wrote a comprehensive treatise called the Tantraloka which systematically presents the teachings of the Kula and Trika systems. 2. The Samartehchakaha by Haribhadra Suri written in Gujarat around the eighth century is technically not a tantric work but is saturated with tantric ideas and practices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Abhinavagupta → Tantraloka (Kula and Trika systems) | Haribhadra Suri's Samartehchakaha → not tantric but saturated with tantric ideas
Which of the following is/are not depicted in the Rajput paintings? 1. The stories of Krishna 2. Ragas and Raginis 3. The deeds of Hamza 4. The deeds of Babur Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not depicted in Rajput paintings → deeds of Hamza and deeds of Babur (Mughal themes)
Consider the following statements from Kalhana‟s Rajatarangini 1. The common people ate rice and Utpala-saka (a wild vegetable of bitter taste). 2. Harsha introduced into Kashmir a general dress befitting a king which included a long coat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Rajatarangini → common people ate rice and Utpala-saka | Harsha introduced into Kashmir a royal dress with a long coat
Consider the following statements regarding Indian Feudalism in the early medieval period 1. The revenue assignments were called Bhoga. 2. The hereditary chiefs neither collected revenues nor assumed administrative powers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Early medieval revenue assignments → Bhoga | Hereditary chiefs → did collect revenue and assume administrative powers
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term „Panchayatan‟ refers to
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Panchayatan → a style of temple construction
Rajtarangini, authored by Kalhan, describes the history of
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Rajtarangini (Kalhan) → history of Kashmir
With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? 1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period. 2. Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music. 3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Dhrupad → primarily devotional and spiritual | Dhrupad Alap → Sanskrit syllables from Mantras | NOT: originated in Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period
The Nagar style of architecture developed mostly in
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Nagara style → developed mostly in North India
Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represent the typical Nagara style ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not typical Nagara style → Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu (of: Tigawa, Nachna, Deogarh, Mammalapuram)
From the paragraph given below identify the temple referred to : Situated on the serene surrounding on the bank of river Mahanadi, this temple is one of the wonders of the medieval period and draws attention of several devotees, tourists, and researchers from all around the world. The temple does not stand upright and is tilted towards one side. Another attraction of the temple is Kudo fish for which special offerings are made.
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Leaning temple on the Mahanadi (Kudo fish offerings) → Huma temple
In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Lingaraja Temple → Bhubaneswar
The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Apabhramsa → early forms of some modern Indian languages
Kalhana's Rajatarangini (twelfth century) contains
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Kalhana's Rajatarangini → history of the dynasties of Kashmir
'Ghuzak' is the name of a place where
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ghuzak → Jayapala met his enemy Sabuktigin
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